Skip to content
Company Logo

Policies and Procedures

Please note: In Halton the children and young people we care for are known as Children in Care. However, you will also find the term Looked After Children used in this manual as this is the term used in statutory guidance and legislation.

Quick Links:

1.All Children

2.Case Management and Recording

3.Children in Particular Circumstances

4.Children in Care

5.Fostering and Adoption

6.Contacts, List of Agency Decision Makers and Appendices

1.All Children

1.1Policy, Values and Principles

  1. 1.1.1Children's Services Policies, Values and Principles September 13, 2024
  2. 1.1.2Children's Consultation and ParticipationApril 26, 2024
  3. 1.1.3Equality and DiversityJuly 25, 2022
  4. 1.1.4Capacity and ConsentApril 29, 2024
  5. 1.1.5Early Intervention: Policy and Provision (House of Commons Library)

1.2Early Help and Thresholds for Children's Social Care Services

  1. 1.2.1Halton MAP GuidanceApril 24, 2024
  2. 1.2.2Halton Levels of Need FrameworkJanuary 20, 2025
  3. 1.2.3Step Up/Step Down Protocol (Halton Children and Young People Safeguarding Partnership)May 8, 2024
  4. 1.2.4Everyone Early Help StrategyUnder Review
  5. 1.2.5North West ADCS Resource

1.3Children's Social Care - Assessment and Planning

  1. 1.3.1AssessmentsJanuary 20, 2025
  2. 1.3.2Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47)September 13, 2024
  3. 1.3.3Transfer of Cases between TeamsMay 8, 2024
  4. 1.3.4Contacts and Referrals
  5. 1.3.5Pan Cheshire Safeguarding Children Procedures
  6. 1.3.6North West Notification and Transfer of Children Subject to Child Protection Plans Across Local Authority Boundaries Procedure

1.4Child in Need

  1. 1.4.1Child in Need Plans and ReviewsApril 29, 2024
  2. 1.4.2North West Children in Need Moving Across Local Authority Boundaries Procedure

1.5Legal Proceedings

  1. 1.5.1Applications for Emergency Protection OrdersSeptember 13, 2024
  2. 1.5.2Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law OutlineJanuary 20, 2025
  3. 1.5.3Legal Planning MeetingsSeptember 13, 2024
  4. 1.5.4Protocol and Good Practice Model: Disclosure of Information in Cases of Alleged Child Abuse and Linked Criminal and Care Direction Hearings (October 2013)
  5. 1.5.5Cross-border child protection cases: the 1996 Hague Convention (DfE)
  6. 1.5.6Family 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.
  7. 1.5.7North West Pre-Care and Care Proceedings Notification and Transfer Across Local Authority Boundaries Procedure

1.6Complaints and Whistleblowing

  1. 1.6.1Complaints and RepresentationsApril 30, 2024
  2. 1.6.2Halton Borough Council Whistleblowing PolicyMay 8, 2024

1.7Notifications

  1. 1.7.1Death of or Serious Injury to a Child (Child in Care, Child in Need or Care Leaver Up to and Including the Age of 24)September 13, 2024

1.8Workforce

  1. 1.8.1Local Resources and Documents

2.Case Management and Recording

  1. 2.0.1Recording Policy and GuidelinesSeptember 19, 2023
  2. 2.0.2Case Records and RetentionApril 24, 2024
  3. 2.0.3Access to Records/Subject Access RequestsJanuary 20, 2025
  4. 2.0.4Confidentiality PolicyJanuary 20, 2025
  5. 2.0.5Electronic Recording of Meetings and ConversationsJanuary 20, 2025
  6. 2.0.6Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding StaffMarch 28, 2024
  7. 2.0.7Storage of Data on Mobile DevicesJanuary 20, 2025

3.Children in Particular Circumstances

3.1Children with Disabilities

  1. 3.1.1Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and DisabilitiesJanuary 20, 2025
  2. 3.1.2Personal Budgets and Direct PaymentsJanuary 20, 2025
  3. 3.1.3Short BreaksJanuary 20, 2025
  4. 3.1.4Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential SettingsJanuary 20, 2025
  5. 3.1.5Children and Young People’s Continuing Care National FrameworkJanuary 20, 2025

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 SlaveryJanuary 20, 2025
  2. 3.3.2Families with No Recourse to Public FundsMay 8, 2024

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 ReferSeptember 13, 2024

3.5Family and Friends Care

  1. 3.5.1Halton Borough Council Family and Friends Care PolicyApril 24, 2024
  2. 3.5.2Kinship Care (formerly family and friends)September 13, 2024
  3. 3.5.3Private FosteringMay 8, 2024

3.6Young Carers

  1. 3.6.1Young CarersJanuary 20, 2025

3.7Relinquished Children

  1. 3.7.1Relinquished ChildrenSeptember 13, 2024

3.8Mental Health

  1. 3.8.1Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983January 20, 2025

4.Children in Care

  1. 4.0.1Halton Strategy for Children in Care and Care LeaversMay 8, 2024

4.1Decision to Look After and Care Planning

  1. 4.1.1Placement Sufficiency Strategy: Children in Care and Care LeaversApril 24, 2024
  2. 4.1.2Decision to Place a Child in CareJanuary 20, 2025
  3. 4.1.3Care PlanningMay 2, 2024
  4. 4.1.4Ceasing to Look After a ChildSeptember 19, 2023
  5. 4.1.5Permanence Planning GuidanceMay 8, 2024
  6. 4.1.6Placement Planning and Disruption MeetingsMay 8, 2024
  7. 4.1.7Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Children in CareMay 8, 2024
  8. 4.1.8NICE Guideline: Looked After Children and Young People

4.2Placements

  1. 4.2.1Placements with ParentsMay 6, 2024
  2. 4.2.2Placements with Connected PersonsSeptember 13, 2024
  3. 4.2.3Placements in Foster CareMay 6, 2024
  4. 4.2.4Placements in Residential CareSeptember 13, 2024
  5. 4.2.5Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare GroundsSeptember 13, 2024
  6. 4.2.6Out of Borough PlacementsMay 8, 2024
  7. 4.2.7Placements Outside England and WalesMay 3, 2024
  8. 4.2.8Placements in Other ArrangementsSeptember 13, 2024
  9. 4.2.9Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention AccommodationMay 8, 2024
  10. 4.2.10Notifications from Other Local Authorities/Placement ProvidersMay 3, 2024
  11. 4.2.11Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential WorkersMay 8, 2024

4.3Monitoring and Reviews

  1. 4.3.1Social Worker Visits to Children in CareMay 3, 2024
  2. 4.3.2Advocacy and Independent VisitorsMay 8, 2024
  3. 4.3.3Children in Care ReviewsJanuary 20, 2025
  4. 4.3.4Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing OfficersMay 3, 2024
  5. 4.3.5Secure Accommodation (Criteria) ReviewsMay 3, 2024
  6. 4.3.6Notifications of Significant EventsSeptember 13, 2024

4.4Contact and Overnight Stays

  1. 4.4.1Contact with Parents/Adults and SiblingsMay 3, 2024
  2. 4.4.2Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays)May 3, 2024
  3. 4.4.3Risk Assessment and PlanningMay 8, 2024

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 ChildrenSeptember 13, 2024
  2. 4.5.2Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UKMay 3, 2024
  3. 4.5.3Leisure ActivitiesApril 24, 2024

4.6Health and Wellbeing

  1. 4.6.1Health Care Assessments and PlansMay 6, 2024
  2. 4.6.2Personal Care and RelationshipsMay 6, 2024
  3. 4.6.3Positive Relationships and Behaviour ManagementMay 6, 2024
  4. 4.6.4Restrictive Physical Intervention and RestraintMay 3, 2024
  5. 4.6.5Providing Personalised CareMay 3, 2024
  6. 4.6.6Health and Safety Policy and Guidance for Foster CarersMay 8, 2024
  7. 4.6.7Promoting Wellbeing and Positive Identity for a Child or Young Person Who is Looked After: A Quick Guide for Social Workers and Social Care Practitioners

4.7Change of Name and Marriage

  1. 4.7.1Change of Name of a Child in CareSeptember 13, 2024
  2. 4.7.2Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Child in CareApril 24, 2024

4.8Leaving Care and Transition

  1. 4.8.1Charter for Care LeaversMay 8, 2024
  2. 4.8.2Leaving Care and TransitionMay 7, 2024
  3. 4.8.3Staying PutSeptember 13, 2024
  4. 4.8.4Care Leavers Local Offer

4.9Youth Justice

  1. 4.9.1Children and Young People in Care who are in Contact with Youth Justice ServicesMay 8, 2024
  2. 4.9.2Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Children in Care who are in CustodyMay 8, 2024
  3. 4.9.3Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National GuidanceSeptember 13, 2024

5.Fostering and Adoption

5.1Fostering Services

  1. 5.1.1Fostering PanelJuly 26, 2022
  2. 5.1.2Persons Disqualified from FosteringJuly 26, 2022
  3. 5.1.3Assessment and Approvals of Foster CarersJanuary 20, 2025
  4. 5.1.4Exemptions and Extensions/Variations to Foster Carer ApprovalMay 8, 2024
  5. 5.1.5Supervision and Support of Foster CarersMarch 24, 2022
  6. 5.1.6Review and Termination of Approval of Foster CarersJuly 26, 2022
  7. 5.1.7Allegations Against Foster CarersMay 8, 2024
  8. 5.1.8Whistleblowing (Confidential Reporting: Fostering Service)May 8, 2024

5.2Adoption and Permanence Services

  1. 5.2.1Recruitment, Assessment and Approval of Prospective AdoptersJanuary 20, 2025
  2. 5.2.2Adoption PanelApril 24, 2024
  3. 5.2.3Placement for AdoptionJanuary 20, 2025
  4. 5.2.4Adoption SupportSeptember 13, 2024
  5. 5.2.5Monitoring and Supervision of Adoptive PlacementsApril 24, 2024
  6. 5.2.6Adoption ReviewsApril 24, 2024
  7. 5.2.7Disruption of Adoptive PlacementsNovember 28, 2023
  8. 5.2.8Allegations Against Prospective Adopters and in Relation to Children Placed for Adoption or Already AdoptedApril 29, 2024
  9. 5.2.9Inter Country AdoptionSeptember 13, 2024
  10. 5.2.10Non Agency AdoptionSeptember 13, 2024
  11. 5.2.11Adoption Case RecordsApril 24, 2024
  12. 5.2.12Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case RecordsJuly 26, 2022
  13. 5.2.13Intermediary ServicesJuly 26, 2022
  14. 5.2.14Life Story Books GuidanceSeptember 13, 2024
  15. 5.2.15Later Life LettersSeptember 13, 2024
  16. 5.2.16Fostering for Adoption/Early Permanence PlacementsMay 7, 2024
  17. 5.2.17Adoption Strategy: Achieving Excellence Everywhere
  18. 5.2.18Together for Adoption - Regional Adoption Agency Procedures
  19. 5.2.19Together for Adoption - Statement of Purpose

5.3Special Guardianship

  1. 5.3.1Applications for Special Guardianship OrdersSeptember 13, 2024
  2. 5.3.2Court Reports in Adoption/Special Guardianship GuidanceMay 8, 2024

6.Contacts, List of Agency Decision Makers and Appendices

  1. 6.0.1List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated OfficersApril 24, 2024
  2. 6.0.2Ofsted Inspection FrameworkJanuary 20, 2025
  3. 6.0.3Working Together to Safeguard Children
  4. 6.0.4Amendments

Last Updated: January 20, 2025

v86