Contents

1.All Children

1.1Policy, Values and Principles

1. 1.1.1Children's Services Policies, Values and Principles July 12, 2024
2. 1.1.2Children's Consultation and ParticipationJuly 12, 2024
3. 1.1.3Equality and DiversityJuly 14, 2025

1.2Staff Induction and Supervision Policy

1. 1.2.1Children's Services Supervision PolicyJanuary 5, 2026
2. 1.2.2Children’s Social Care Induction Pack

1.3Early Help and Thresholds for Children's Social Care Services

1. 1.3.1Capacity and ConsentJuly 12, 2024
2. 1.3.2Sefton Early Help: Strategy, Guidance Forms
3. 1.3.3Sefton Level of Need Guidance
4. 1.3.4Early Intervention: Policy and Provision (House of Commons Library)

1.4Children’s Social Care - Assessment and Planning

1. 1.4.1Contacts and ReferralsJuly 12, 2024
2. 1.4.2AssessmentsJuly 14, 2025
3. 1.4.3Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47)July 12, 2024
4. 1.4.4North West Transfer and Moving Across Boundaries ProceduresDecember 17, 2024
5. 1.4.5Local Protocol for AssessmentTo Follow
6. 1.4.6Sefton Multi-Agency Safeguarding Children Procedures
7. 1.4.7Allocation of Work and Transfer between Teams

1.5Child in Need

1. 1.5.1Child in Need Plans and ReviewsJuly 12, 2024
2. 1.5.2Complex Child in Need (CCIN) Process – Child Exploitation and Extra-Familial RiskJanuary 5, 2026

1.6Legal Proceedings

1. 1.6.1Applications for Emergency Protection OrdersJanuary 5, 2026
2. 1.6.2Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law OutlineJanuary 5, 2026
3. 1.6.3Legal Gateway/Planning MeetingsJanuary 5, 2026
4. 1.6.4Protocol and Good Practice Model: Disclosure of Information in Cases of Alleged Child Abuse and Linked Criminal and Care Direction Hearings (October 2013)
5. 1.6.5Cross-border child protection cases: the 1996 Hague Convention (DfE)
6. 1.6.6Family Justice Resource Hub (ADCS) - This hosts a series of practical resources, such as templates, tools and practice guidance, which will be of interest to those working in the family justice system.

1.7Complaints and Whistleblowing

1. 1.7.1Complaints and RepresentationsJuly 12, 2024
2. 1.7.2Whistleblowing Policy

1.8Notifications

1. 1.8.1Death or Serious Harm to a Child Looked After, Child in Need or Care Leaver Up to and Including the Age of 24
   Updated
   January 5, 2026

2.Case Management and Recording

1. 2.0.1Recording Policy and GuidelinesJuly 14, 2025
2. 2.0.2Case Records and Retention
   Updated
   January 5, 2026
3. 2.0.3Access to Records/Subject Access RequestsJuly 14, 2025
4. 2.0.4Confidentiality PolicyDecember 17, 2024
5. 2.0.5Electronic Recording of Meetings and ConversationsJuly 12, 2024
6. 2.0.6Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding StaffJuly 12, 2024
7. 2.0.7Storage of Data on Mobile DevicesJuly 14, 2025

3.Children in Particular Circumstances

3.1Children with Disabilities and Complex Health Needs

1. 3.1.1Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and DisabilitiesJuly 14, 2025
2. 3.1.2Personal Budgets and Direct PaymentsDecember 17, 2024
3. 3.1.3Short BreaksJanuary 5, 2026
4. 3.1.4Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential SettingsJanuary 5, 2026
5. 3.1.5Children and Young People’s Continuing Care National FrameworkDecember 17, 2024

3.2Deprivation of Liberty and Mental Capacity

1. 3.2.1Deprivation of Liberty
2. 3.2.2Mental Capacity

3.3Children from Abroad

1. 3.3.1Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern SlaveryDecember 17, 2024
2. 3.3.2Families with No Recourse to Public FundsJuly 14, 2025

3.4Homelessness

1. 3.4.1Prevention of Homelessness and Provision of Accommodation for 16 and 17 Year Olds who may be Homeless and/or Require Accommodation; and Duty to ReferJanuary 5, 2026

3.5Family and Friends Care

1. 3.5.1Kinship CareJanuary 5, 2026
2. 3.5.2Private FosteringJuly 14, 2025
3. 3.5.3Family Networks and Family Group Decision MakingJuly 12, 2024

3.6Young Carers

1. 3.6.1Young CarersJuly 14, 2025

3.7Relinquished Children

1. 3.7.1AiM - Relinquished Children

3.8Mental Health

1. 3.8.1Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983December 17, 2024

3.9Missing

1. 3.9.1Missing Process (Flow Chart)

4.Cared For Children

4.1Decision to Care For and Care Planning

1. 4.1.1Local Authority's Sufficiency Duty - Accommodation for Cared For ChildrenJuly 14, 2025
2. 4.1.2Decision to Care ForDecember 17, 2024
3. 4.1.3Care PlanningJanuary 3, 2024
4. 4.1.4Ceasing to Care For a ChildDecember 17, 2024
5. 4.1.5Permanence Planning GuidanceJanuary 5, 2026
6. 4.1.6Placement Planning and Stability MeetingsJanuary 5, 2026
7. 4.1.7Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Cared For Children
   Updated
   January 5, 2026
8. 4.1.8Risk Assessment and PlanningJanuary 5, 2026
9. 4.1.9NICE Guideline: Looked After Children and Young People

4.2Placements

1. 4.2.1Placements with Parents
   Updated
   January 5, 2026
2. 4.2.2Placements with Connected PersonsJuly 12, 2024
3. 4.2.3Placements in Foster CareJanuary 5, 2026
4. 4.2.4Placements in Residential CareDecember 17, 2024
5. 4.2.5Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare GroundsJuly 12, 2024
6. 4.2.6Distant PlacementsJanuary 5, 2026
7. 4.2.7Placements Outside England and WalesJanuary 5, 2026
8. 4.2.8Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation
   Updated
   January 5, 2026
9. 4.2.9Notifications from Other Local Authorities/Placement ProvidersJuly 12, 2023
10. 4.2.10Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential WorkersJanuary 5, 2026
11. 4.2.11Placements in Other ArrangementsJuly 12, 2024
12. 4.2.12Health and SafetyDecember 17, 2024
13. 4.2.13Regulation 24 Assessments Procedure and Viability Assessments in the case of non-emergency placements Procedure

4.3Monitoring and Reviews

1. 4.3.1Social Worker Visits to Cared For Children
   Updated
   January 5, 2026
2. 4.3.2Advocacy and Independent VisitorsJuly 12, 2024
3. 4.3.3Cared For ReviewsJuly 14, 2025
4. 4.3.4Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing OfficersJanuary 5, 2026
5. 4.3.5Secure Accommodation (Criteria) ReviewsJanuary 5, 2026
6. 4.3.6Notifications of Significant EventsJanuary 5, 2026

4.4Contact and Overnight Stays

1. 4.4.1Contact with Parents/Adults and SiblingsJuly 14, 2025
2. 4.4.2Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays)July 12, 2023

4.5Education, School Trips and Holidays

1. 4.5.1Supporting the Education and Promoting the Achievement of Children with a Social Worker, Looked After and Previously Looked After ChildrenJuly 12, 2024
2. 4.5.2Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UKJuly 14, 2025
3. 4.5.3Leisure ActivitiesDecember 17, 2024
4. 4.5.4Sefton Virtual School for Looked After Children: Guide to Personal Education Plans and Pupil Premium Plus
5. 4.5.5Sefton Virtual School: Schools Admission Policy

4.6Health and Wellbeing

1. 4.6.1Health Care Assessments and PlansJuly 12, 2023
2. 4.6.2Personal Care and RelationshipsJuly 12, 2023
3. 4.6.3Positive Relationships and Behaviour Support
   Updated
   January 5, 2026
4. 4.6.4Restrictive Physical Intervention and Restraint
   Updated
   January 5, 2026

4.7Change of Name and Marriage/Civil Partnership

1. 4.7.1Change of Name of a Cared For ChildJuly 12, 2024
2. 4.7.2Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Cared For ChildJuly 12, 2023

4.8Care Experienced and Transition

1. 4.8.1Care Experienced and TransitionJanuary 5, 2026
2. 4.8.2Staying PutJanuary 5, 2026
3. 4.8.3Financial Arrangements for Care LeaversDecember 17, 2024

4.9Children Involved in the Youth Justice System

1. 4.9.1Cared For Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services
   Updated
   January 5, 2026
2. 4.9.2Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Cared For Children and Young People in CustodyJanuary 5, 2026
3. 4.9.3Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National GuidanceJuly 14, 2025

5.Fostering and Adoption

5.1Fostering Services

1. 5.1.1Fostering PanelJuly 12, 2023
2. 5.1.2Persons Disqualified from FosteringJuly 12, 2023
3. 5.1.3Assessment and Approvals of Foster CarersJuly 14, 2025
4. 5.1.4Exemptions and Extensions/Variations to Foster Carer ApprovalFebruary 8, 2022
5. 5.1.5Supervision and Support of Foster CarersJanuary 5, 2026
6. 5.1.6Review and Termination of Approval of Foster CarersJuly 12, 2023
7. 5.1.7Allegations Against Foster CarersJuly 14, 2025
8. 5.1.8Training and Development of Foster CarersUnder Review
9. 5.1.9Recording Policy for Foster Carers

5.2Adoption and Permanence Services

1. 5.2.1Placement for AdoptionJuly 14, 2025
2. 5.2.2Monitoring and Supervision of Adoptive PlacementsJuly 12, 2024
3. 5.2.3Adoption ReviewsJuly 12, 2024
4. 5.2.4Stability of Adoptive PlacementsJuly 12, 2023
5. 5.2.5Inter Country AdoptionJanuary 5, 2026
6. 5.2.6Life Story Books GuidanceJuly 12, 2024
7. 5.2.7Later Life LettersJuly 12, 2024
8. 5.2.8Early Permanence: Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective AdoptersJanuary 3, 2024
9. 5.2.9AiM - Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters
10. 5.2.10AiM - Smoking / Vaping Policy
11. 5.2.11AiM - Adoption Panel
12. 5.2.12AiM - Moving to Adoption Policy
13. 5.2.13AiM - Adoption Support
14. 5.2.14AiM - Safeguarding Policy
15. 5.2.15AiM - Allegations Against an Adopter Policy
16. 5.2.16AiM - Non Agency Adoption
17. 5.2.17AiM - Relinquished Children
18. 5.2.18AiM - Adoption Case File Procedures
19. 5.2.19AiM - Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case Records
20. 5.2.20AiM - Intermediary Services
21. 5.2.21Adoption Strategy: Achieving Excellence Everywhere

5.3Special Guardianship

1. 5.3.1Applications for Special Guardianship Orders
   Updated
   January 5, 2026
2. 5.3.2Court Reports in Placement Order Applications and Adoption/Special Guardianship GuidanceJuly 12, 2024

6.Contacts, List of Agency Decision Makers and Appendices

1. 6.0.1Local Contacts To Follow
2. 6.0.2Ofsted Inspection FrameworkDecember 17, 2024
3. 6.0.3Areas of Decision Making and Responsibility in Child in Need, Child Protection and Cared for ChildrenDecember 17, 2024
4. 6.0.4Working Together to Safeguard Children