Quick Guide |
February 2012
Contents
- Display and Browser Options
- Structure of the Manual
- Amendments and Planned Updates
- Search
- Terminology
- Keywords
- Contact us and Alerts
- Compliance
- Copyright
- Printing and Retaining Copies
1. Display and Browser Options
People with a visual impairment may have difficulty accessing this Manual, if they do, they can change the size of the text/layout - please use the accessibility buttons on the left hand side of every screen; these are the "letter a" buttons increasing in size
Click a larger "a" button to increase your text size, the very largest being high visibility mode.
2. Structure of the Manual
This Manual has been designed and published by Tri-X-Childcare for The London Borough of Enfield Children's Services.
2.1 What is Included
The Manual is designed to contain all policies, procedures and guidance for Enfield Children's Services. We have also incorporated a copy of the London Child Protection Procedures and the Pan London Adoption Procedures (see below).
Policies and Values: All Enfield's Policies and Values are located in one Chapter, see 'Values' (on the left hand side of the screen). This Chapter outlines the key policies, values and principles for Children's Services; all procedures in this Manual should be read in the context of this Chapter.
Procedures and Guidance: In an attempt to keep procedures succinct, procedures and more detailed guidance are separated - with links provided as appropriate. 'Procedures' summarise how Managers and Staff must act in given circumstances. 'Guidance' provides direction or advice to a decision or course of action.
Procedures and Guidance are located in individual 'Chapters' which are available from a 'traditional' Contents List - on the left hand side of the screen.
2.2 How to find a chapter
Chapters are categorised or grouped together as follows:
PARTS: The Manual contains procedures categorised under a number of Service Sectors, like 'Looked After Children',
SECTIONS: Within each Service Sector e.g. 'Looked After Services', you will find a Section (group of procedures) like 'Placements'.
CHAPTERS: Under each Section, you'll find individual Chapters/Procedures e.g. Placements in Foster Care'
2.3 The London Child Protection Procedures
A web-based version of the London Child Protection Procedures has been incorporated into this Manual.
To access the London Child Protection Procedures, click on the London Child Protection Procedures' button - on the left hand side of the screen.
2.4 The Pan London Adoption Procedures
The Pan London Adoption Procedures are integrated into the Children's Services Manual and the chapters are listed in Part 5 of the manual on the Contents page.
3. Amendments and Planned Updates
This manual has been updated in relation to the following Regulations, Guidance and Standards:
- The Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 (Care Planning Regulations) and Associated Guidance;
- The Care Leavers (England) Regulations 2010 and Associated Guidance;
- The Children's Homes (Amendment) Regulations 2011, Associated Guidance (Volume 5) and National Minimum Standards (NMS);
- The Fostering Services Regulations 2011, Associated Guidance (Volume 4) and National Minimum Standards (NMS);
- The Adoption Guidance and National Minimum Standards.
These came into effect on 1st April 2011. Click here for a summary of the new changes.
Where a chapter has been amended, it is marked as 'updated' in the Contents list and the primary changes are explained at the top of the chapter. Some new chapters have been introduced as a result of the above legislation; they are marked as 'new' in the contents list.
As well as changes as a result of the new regulatory framework, the following chapters have been updated/added:
6.7 Enfield Process for Homeless Young People (16 and 17 year olds) (October 2011) - Updated
A further update is planned for the summer of 2012 and a planning meeting for this update has been arranged for March 2012. Therefore if you have any changes that you wish to be considered for inclusion in the next update, please alert Julian Edwards (Julian.edwards@enfield.gov.uk) or Liz Hill (liz.hill@enfield.gov.uk).
Table of Amendments
| New Chapters | |
| Chapter Title | Details |
| 3.1.4 Short Breaks - Summary of 2011 Statutory Guidance | This chapter was added to reflect the Statutory Guidance on How to Safeguard and Promote the Welfare of Disabled Children Using Short Breaks (2011) |
| 4.1.7 Caring for Somebody Else's Child - Options | This has been added and is a copy of Annex A of the Family and Friends Care: Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities (2011) |
| 4.1.8 Local Authority's Sufficiency Duty - Accommodation for Looked After Children | This chapter was added to reflect the Statutory Guidance on Securing Sufficient Accommodation for Looked After Children (2010) |
| 4.2.4 Out of Area Placements | This chapter was added as a result of the changes set out in the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and Associated Guidance. |
| 4.10.2 Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in Custody | This chapter was added to reflect the Statutory Guidance on this issue. |
| 4.11.3 Looked After Children in Contact with the Youth Justice System | This chapter was added to reflect the Statutory Guidance on this issue. |
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Title | Details |
| 4.1.2 Decision to Look After and Care Planning | This chapter was updated to reflect the changes set out in the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and Associated Guidance. |
| 4.2.1 Emergency Placements | This chapter was updated to reflect the changes set out in the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and Associated Guidance. |
| 4.2.2 Placements in Foster Care | This chapter was updated to reflect the changes set out in the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010, Fostering Services Regulations 2011 and Associated Guidance. |
| 4.2.3 Placements in Residential Care | This chapter was updated to reflect the changes set out in the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010, Children’s Homes (Amendment) Regulations 2011 and Associated Guidance. |
| 4.2.5 Placements in Secure Accommodation | This chapter was updated to reflect the changes set out in the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and Associated Guidance. |
| 4.2.6 Placements with Parents | This chapter was updated to reflect the changes set out in the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and Associated Guidance. |
| 4.2.8 Placement in Supported Housing/Lodgings | This chapter was updated to reflect the changes set out in the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and Associated Guidance. |
| 4.2.11 Placement Planning Meetings and Keeping the Placement Information Record Up to Date | This chapter was updated to reflect the changes set out in the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and Associated Guidance. |
| 4.3.1 Looked After Reviews | This chapter was updated to reflect the changes set out in the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and Associated Guidance. |
| 4.3.2 Role of Independent Reviewing Officers and Dispute Resolution | This chapter was updated to reflect the changes set out in the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and Associated Guidance. |
| 4.5.1 Education of Looked After Children | This chapter was updated to reflect the changes set out in the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and Associated Guidance. |
| 4.9.1 Assessment and Approval of Foster Carers | This chapter was amended in February 2012 to reflect the Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011, Associated Guidance and National Minimum Standards. |
| 4.9.4 Persons Disqualified from Fostering | This chapter was amended in February 2012 to reflect the Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011, Associated Guidance and National Minimum Standards. |
| 4.9.5 Review of Foster Carers | This chapter was amended in February 2012 to reflect the Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011, Associated Guidance and National Minimum Standards. |
| 4.9.8 Allegations against Foster Carers | This chapter was amended in February 2012 to reflect the Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011, Associated Guidance and National Minimum Standards. |
| 4.10.1 Leaving Care | This chapter was updated to reflect the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations, 2010, Care Leavers (England) Regulations 2010 and the Planning Transition to Adulthood for Care Leavers Guidance. |
| 4.11.1 Social Worker Visits | This chapter was updated to reflect the changes set out in the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and Associated Guidance. |
| 4.11.2 Independent Visitors | This chapter was updated to reflect the changes set out in the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and Associated Guidance. |
| 4.12.1 Children's Bedrooms | This chapter was updated to reflect the changes set out in the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010, Fostering Services Regulations 2011, Children’s Homes (Amendment) Regulations 2011 and Associated Guidance. |
| 5.1 Adoption Values and Principles | This chapter was amended as a result of the Adoption Guidance and the National Minimum Standards which became effective from 1 April 2011. |
| 5.2 Adoption and Permanence Panel | This chapter was amended as a result of the Adoption Guidance and the National Minimum Standards which became effective from 1 April 2011. |
| 5.3 Assessment and Approval of Agency Adoptive Parents | This chapter was amended as a result of the Adoption Guidance and the National Minimum Standards which became effective from 1 April 2011. |
| 5.4 Placement for Adoption | This chapter was amended as a result of the Adoption Guidance and the National Minimum Standards which became effective from 1 April 2011. |
| 5.5 Adoption Reviews | This chapter was amended as a result of the Adoption Guidance and the National Minimum Standards which became effective from 1 April 2011. |
| 5.8 Allegations against Prospective Adopters and in Relation to Children Placed for Adoption or already Adopted | This chapter was amended as a result of the Adoption Guidance and the National Minimum Standards which became effective from 1 April 2011. |
| 5.9 Inter-country Adoption | This chapter was amended as a result of the Adoption Guidance and the National Minimum Standards which became effective from 1 April 2011. |
| 5.10 Non Agency Adoptions | This chapter was amended as a result of the Adoption Guidance and the National Minimum Standards which became effective from 1 April 2011. |
| 5.1 Adoption Support Services | This chapter was amended as a result of the Adoption Guidance and the National Minimum Standards which became effective from 1 April 2011. |
| 5.12 Adoption Case Records | This chapter was amended as a result of the Adoption Guidance and the National Minimum Standards which became effective from 1 April 2011. |
| 7.2 Care Planning | This chapter was updated to reflect the changes set out in the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and Associated Guidance. |
| 7.4 Children's Reviews | This chapter was updated to reflect the changes set out in the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and Associated Guidance. |
| 7.12 Leaving Care Guidance | This chapter was updated to reflect the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations, 2010, Care Leavers (England) Regulations 2010 and the Planning Transition to Adulthood for Care Leavers Guidance. |
| 7.14 Life Story Books | This chapter was amended as a result of the Adoption Guidance and the National Minimum Standards which became effective from 1 April 2011. |
| 7.19 Pathway Planning Guidance and Checklist | This chapter was updated to reflect the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations, 2010, Care Leavers (England) Regulations 2010 and the Planning Transition to Adulthood for Care Leavers Guidance. |
4. Search
If you are not sure where to find a Chapter/Procedure, you can use the 'Search' feature located on the left hand side of any screen.
This feature may help you locate the right Chapter, or sub section of a Chapter, that you require.
Tips when using Search: The Search function is designed to help you find Chapters (Procedures) or sub sections of Chapters in this Manual. It will provide the best results if you know the title of the chapter or sub section, or you have a good idea what the title is. You may have to try different or alternative spellings/terms before you get the result you are looking for. For example:
|
If you can't find the procedure you require or you are frustrated, ask your manager/supervisor or contact us (see 'Contact Us' on the left hand side of the screen) and we'll advise/direct you to the relevant procedure if we can. NB: We'll reply within 2 working days.
5. Terminology
We believe it is crucial to use consistent terminology, which we agree with individual customers, for example:
| 'Child' or 'Young Person' | Both these terms are used to mean any child under the age of 18 |
| 'Staff' or 'Carer' | means all Staff and Carers (including) whether employed or not |
| 'Parent' | includes any person with Parental Responsibility |
| 'Regulatory Authority' | Regulatory Authority is the generic term used in this Manual to describe the independent regulatory body responsible for inspecting and regulating services e.g. Ofsted. |
| 'Social Worker' | This means the worker allocated to the child/family. If there is no allocated worker, the Duty Social Worker or Team Manager is responsible. |
6. Keywords
The Manual is accessed by practitioners from varying agencies, who may find terms that they are not familiar with. Therefore, a large glossary (Keywords) of terms such as Significant Harm is included (Try it: click on the highlighted text). We call them 'Keywords'.
Many Keywords are highlighted in the body of procedures, but you can search for the Keyword you need: Go to the Keywords Index, on the left hand side of the screen or use 'Search'. In the new web-based format, we have not included links from keyword definitions to specific chapters. This is because the search function is now available to you and we hope you will find this a better way of accessing the text you want.
7. Contact us and Alerts
If you have any comments or suggestions to make about this Manual please contact us by using the button on the left hand side of the screen, from anywhere within the Manual.
8. Compliance
8.1 Regulatory Compliance
Every effort has been taken to ensure regulatory compliance. If you discover any errors or mistakes, please alert your manager or contact us.
8.2 W3C Compliance
This manual meets the double A Standards of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), for example, it can be accessed by people with high levels of visual impairment. To find out more, click on 'Display Options' on the left hand side of the screen.
9. Copyright
The content of this website can be accessed, printed and downloaded in an unaltered form, on a temporary basis, for personal study or reference purposes. However any content printed or downloaded may not be sold, licensed, transferred, copied or reproduced in whole or in part in any manner or in or on any media to any person without the prior written consent of Tri-X-Childcare Ltd. and The London Borough of Enfield.
10. Printing and Retaining Copies
The Manual should normally be viewed on line.
However, users may print chapters, using the "print" icon in the top right of the manual.
Please note, the Manual will be updated regularly, so staff should avoid retaining printed versions - hard copies are only valid for 72 hours.
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