Quick Guide |
Manual Version September 2011
Welcome to SCIP (the Peterborough Children's Social Care Procedures Manual).
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.
Click here to access a web enabled version of the Children's Homes, Fostering and Adoption National Minimum Standards.
The chapters that have been amended as a result of these legislative changes are shown in the Table of Amendments below.
As well as changes as a result of the new regulatory framework, the following chapters have been updated:
Process for Creating a Chronology
Referral, Assessment and Planning for Unborn Babies
Death of or Serious Injury to a Child
Child in Need Plans and Reviews
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.
Please click here to view the table summarising the changes made as a result of the new regulatory framework for children in care.Before proceeding to the body of the manual, all users must read this chapter and the chapter called 'Values', which is accessible from the relevant button on the left of your screen.
TABLES OF AMENDMENTS AS A RESULT OF THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR CHILDREN IN CARE EFFECTIVE FROM 1 APRIL 2011
| The following chapters have been added as a result of the new regulatory framework | |
| 3.1.9 Sufficiency Duty in Relation to Accommodation for Looked After Children | This chapter was added to take account of the following legislative provisions which implemented this duty: Section 22G Children Act 1989; Sufficiency: Statutory Guidance on Securing Sufficient Accommodation for Looked After Children (2010), which came into force on 1 April 2011. |
| 3.2.7 Placements Out of Area | This chapter was added to take account of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and Associated Guidance which came into force on 1 April 2011. |
| 3.3.1 Appointment and Role of the Independent Reviewing Officer | This chapter was added to take account of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and Associated Guidance (Including the IRO Handbook) which came into force on 1 April 2011. |
| 3.13.6 Looked After Children In Contact With Youth Justice Service | This chapter was added to take account of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and Associated Guidance which came into force on 1 April 2011. |
| 3.13.7 Local Authority responsibilities Towards Former Looked After Children and Young People in Custody | This chapter was added to take account of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and Associated Guidance which came into force on 1 April 2011. |
| 3.13.8 Case Records for Looked After Children | This chapter was added to take account of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and Associated Guidance which came into force on 1 April 2011. |
| 5.8 Short Breaks | This chapter has been added to take account of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010; the updated Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review; and Short Breaks: Statutory Guidance on How to Safeguard and Promote the Welfare of Disabled Children Using Short Breaks. All of the above are effective from 1 April 2011. |
| The following chapters (and legislative references therein) have been amended as a result of the new regulatory framework. | |
| Chapter Name | Change |
| 1.2.12 Family and Friends Care Policy and Procedure | This chapter was amended to incorporate the changes made by the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and associated Guidance, which came into force on 1 April 2011. |
| 3.1.1 Children in Care Policy Statement | This chapter was amended to incorporate the changes made by the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and associated Guidance, which came into force on 1 April 2011. |
| 3.1.2 Family and Friends Arrangements for Children in Care | This chapter was amended to incorporate the changes made by the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and associated Guidance, which came into force on 1 April 2011. |
| 3.1.3 Decision to Look After and Care Planning | This chapter was amended to incorporate the changes made by the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and associated Guidance, which came into force on 1 April 2011. |
| 3.1.4 Permanence Planning | This chapter was amended to incorporate the changes made by the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and associated Guidance, which came into force on 1 April 2011. |
| 3.1.6 Legal Planning Meetings and Court Proceedings | This chapter was amended to incorporate the changes made by the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and associated Guidance, which came into force on 1 April 2011. |
| 3.2.2 Placements in Foster Care | This chapter was amended to incorporate the changes made by the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010, Fostering Services Regulations 2011 and associated Guidance, which came into force on 1 April 2011. |
| 3.2.3 Placements in Residential Care | This chapter was amended to incorporate the changes made by the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010, Children’s Homes Regulations 2011 and associated Guidance, which came into force on 1 April 2011. |
| 3.2.4 Placements in Secure Accommodation | This chapter was amended to incorporate the changes made by the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and associated Guidance, which came into force on 1 April 2011. |
| 3.2.5 Placement with Parents | This chapter replaced the previous chapter in September 2011, to incorporate the changes made by the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and associated Guidance, which came into force on 1 April 2011. |
| 3.2.6 Placements with Connected Persons | This chapter was amended to reflect the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and Associated Guidance, which came into force on 1 April 2011. The chapter of the title was changed from Placements with Family and Friends Foster Carers. |
| 3.2.8 Placements outside England and Wales | This chapter was amended to reflect the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and Associated Guidance, which came into force on 1 April 2011. |
| 3.3.2 Child Care Reviews | This chapter was amended to reflect the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and Associated Guidance (including the IRO Handbook), which came into force on 1 April 2011 |
| 3.5.1 Education of Children in Care | This chapter was amended to incorporate the changes made by the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and associated Guidance, which came into force on 1 April 2011. |
| 3.7.4 Health Care Assessments and Health Action Plans | This chapter was amended to reflect the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and Associated Guidance, which came into force on 1 April 2011 |
| 3.8.2 Contact with Parents and Other Relatives | This chapter was amended to reflect the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and Associated Guidance, which came into force on 1 April 2011. |
| 3.9.1 Assessment and Approval of Foster Carers | This chapter was amended to reflect the Fostering Services Regulations 2011 and National Minimum Standards 2011, which came into force on 1 April 2011. |
| 3.9.2 Fostering Panel | This chapter was amended to reflect the Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011 and National Minimum Standards 2011, which came into force on 1 April 2011. |
| 3.9.3 Fostering Exemptions and Extensions | This chapter was amended to reflect the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations, 2010 and Associated Guidance, which came into force on 1 April 2011. |
| 3.9.4 Persons Disqualified from Fostering | This chapter was amended to reflect the Fostering Services Regulations 2011, which came into force on 1 April 2011. |
| 3.9.6 Support and Supervision of Foster Carers | This chapter was amended to reflect the Fostering Services Regulations 2011 and the National Minimum Standards for Fostering 2011, which came into force on 1 April 2011. |
| 3.9.7 Respite Policy for Time Limited and Permanent Carers | This chapter was amended to include the wording of the updated (2011) National Minimum Standards, Standard 21. |
| 3.11.1 Social Worker Visits | This chapter was amended to reflect the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations, 2010 and Associated Guidance, which came into force on 1 April 2011. |
| 3.11.2 Independent Visitors | This chapter was amended to reflect the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations, 2010 and Associated Guidance, which came into force on 1 April 2011. |
| 3.12.1 Children's Bedrooms | This chapter was amended to reflect the Fostering Services Regulations 2011 and the National Minimum Standards for Fostering 2011, which came into force on 1 April 2011. |
| 3.14.1 Leaving Care | This chapter was amended 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 (all of which became effective from 1 April 2011.) |
| 4.1.1 Adoption Panel | This chapter was amended as a result of the Adoption Guidance and the National Minimum Standards which became effective from 1 April 2011. |
| 4.1.2 Assessment and Approval of Prospective 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. |
| 4.1.3 Adoption Planning for Children | This chapter was amended as a result of the Adoption Guidance and the National Minimum Standards which became effective from 1 April 2011. |
| 4.1.6 Adoption Reviews | Sections 1 and 5 of this chapter were amended in September 2011 to reflect the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations, 2010, and the Adoption Guidance which became effective from 1 April 2011. |
| 4.1.9 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. |
| 4.1.10 Access to Birth Records and 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. |
| 4.1.11 Intermediary Services | This chapter was amended as a result of the Adoption Guidance and the National Minimum Standards which became effective from 1 April 2011. |
| 4.1.12 Specialist Advisers and Roles | This chapter was amended to take account of the Adoption National Minimum Standards 2011 and Adoption Guidance 2011 which became effective from 1 April 2011. |
| 8.1 Care Plans Guidance | This chapter was amended to reflect the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and Associated Guidance, which became effective from 1 April 2011. |
| 8.8 Later Life Letters | This chapter was amended to reflect the Adoption Guidance, which became effective from 1 April 2011. |
| 8.9 Life Story Books | This chapter was amended to reflect the Adoption Guidance, which became effective from 1 April 2011. |
| 8.11 Permanence Planning for Children in Care Guidance | This chapter was amended to reflect the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and Associated Guidance, which became effective from 1 April 2011. |
| In the following chapters, the legislative references have been updated as a result of the above legislative provisions, but the body of the text has not been changed. | |
| 3.2.1 Emergency Placements | |
| 3.4.1 Behaviour Management and Sanctions | |
| 3.4.2 CALM Policy | |
| 3.6.1 Holidays and School/Organisational Trips Outside the UK | |
| 3.6.2 Holidays and School/Organisational Trips Inside the UK | |
| 3.6.3 Leisure and Activities | |
| 3.7.1 Drugs and Substance Misuse | |
| 3.7.3 General Practitioners, Dentists and Opticians | |
| 3.7.5 Infestations | |
| 3.7.6 Self Harming | |
| 3.7.7 Nutrition and Diet | |
| 3.8.1 Contact Policy | |
| 3.8.3 Social Visits and Overnight Stays with Friends | |
| 3.9.5 Review of Foster Carers | |
| 3.10.1 Contacting the Police | |
| 3.10.2 Countering of Bullying | |
| 3.10.3 Searching Children and their Belongings | |
| 3.12.2 Hair and Skin Care | |
| 3.12.3 Physical Contact and Intimate Care | |
| 3.12.4 Pocket Money and Allowances | |
| 3.12.5 Spiritual Development | |
| 3.12.6 Telephones, Mobile 'Phones and Letters | |
| 4.1.4 Adoption Support | |
| 8.4 Countering Bullying Guidance | |
| 8.5 Education of Child in Care Guidance | |
| 8.6 Incidents – General Guidance | |
| 8.13 Touch Guidance | |
Contents
- Display and Browser Options
- Structure of the Manual
- Comments, Questions and Help
- Amendments
- How to Find a Chapter
- Terminology
- Keywords and Chapter References
- Compliance
- Contact us
- Copyright
- Printing and Retaining Copies
1. Display and Browser Options
People with a visual impairment may have difficulty accessing this Manual.
To change the size of the text/layout - please use these accessibility buttons
which are on menu bar on the left side of every screen. Click a larger button to increase your text size, the very largest being high visibility mode.
2. Structure of the Manual
2.1 Structure
The overarching policies, values and principles are located in one Chapter: 'Values', which can be accessed from the relevant button on the left of any chapter. Users must familiarise themselves with these values and principles before proceeding to the main body of the manual, as they apply to every aspect of the procedures contained in the manual.
Detailed procedures and guidance are usually provided in separate chapters - cross references and links are provided as appropriate - or you can search for the relevant chapters via 'Contents'.
There is a 'Forms' button on the left of every chapter which links to a forms library where you will be able to access templates for forms referred to in the procedures chapters.
In the Contents List (accessed via the 'Contents' button on the left of the screen), users will see that the manual is divided into:
'Parts' (e.g. Children in Care),
'Sections' (e.g. Placements)
and 'Chapters' (e.g. Placements in Foster Care).
If guidance is provided, it will be cross referenced from the procedure. All guidance chapters are also listed in Part 8 of the manual.
2.2 Content
Most chapters are presented in the new web-based format and there are links from them, where appropriate, to the Peterborough Safeguarding Children Board Inter Agency Procedures Manual, which is in a similar web-based format.
2.3 Peterborough Safeguarding Children Board Inter Agency Procedures
A web based version of the Peterborough Safeguarding Children Board Procedures has been incorporated into this Manual.
To access these procedures, click on the Peterborough Safeguarding Children Board Procedures' button - on the left hand side of the screen.
2.4 Forms
Forms are not generally included but it is proposed that most forms can be accessed via the 'Forms' button on the left of every chapter. The link will take you to a forms library on the intranet.
Initially all the forms in use may not be available in the forms library but this is work in progress.
3. Comments, Questions and Help
3.1 Comments and Feedback
Every effort has been made to ensure that the manual is up to date, but users may find errors or gaps. If you have any comments or feedback, please contact Lynn Chesterton by email (lynn.chesterton@peterborough.gov.uk) summarising your question or comment – please ensure you state your name, post title and contact details.
3.2 Help
If you require help with the functionality or you have questions about the content of this manual, please do the following:
- Ensure you have read this chapter
- Consult a manager or colleague who is more familiar with the functionality and content.
If the previous options are unsuccessful, please send an email via the 'Contact Us' button on the left hand menu.
4. Amendments
A further update is planned for winter 2011 and a planning meeting for this update has been arranged for 7 October 2011. Therefore if you have any changes that you wish to be considered for inclusion in the next update, please alert Lynn Chesterton (lynn.chesterton@peterborough.gov.uk) before the planning meeting.
5. How to Find a Chapter
Procedures and guidance are located in individual 'Chapters' which are available from a 'traditional' Contents List - on the left hand side of the screen.
5.1 Using the Contents List
Chapters are categorised or grouped together as follows:
PARTS: The manual contains procedures categorised under a number of Service Sectors, like 'Children in Care',
SECTIONS: Within each Service Sector e.g. 'Children in Care', 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'
5.2 You can search for a Chapter
If you are not sure which service or section to look in, try 'Search' which will help you identify specific Chapters and sub headings within Chapters.
6.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' | means person with Parental Responsibility includes all persons 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. |
7. Keywords and Chapter References
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 (Try it: click on the highlighted text). We call them 'Keywords'. Once clicked, the definitions will appear in a new window or tab, depending on your browser. You can leave it open for reference, or close it using the "close" button at the bottom.
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.
There are various cross references in the manual, both within chapters and between chapters. Such references are highlighted as follows: see Referrals Procedure; simply click on the reference to go to the relevant section or chapter.
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. Contact us
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.
10. 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 Peterborough City Council.
11. Printing and Retaining Copies
The Manual should normally be viewed on line but can be printed, for reference only.
To print a chapter, click on the 
icon which is in the top right hand corner of the relevant procedure
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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