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Manual Version 8, August 2011

Contents

1. Display and Browser Options
2. Structure of the Manual
3. Amendments/ Next Update (updated)
4. How to Find a Chapter
5. Terminology
6. Keywords
7. Compliance
8. Contact us
9. Copyright
10. 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

This manual contains the policies, procedures and guidance for Knowsley Children's Services. In this manual, all Knowsley's Policies, Values and Principles are located in one Chapter, which users are required to familiarise themselves with before proceeding to the main body of the Manual. These Policies, Values and Principles are located in a Chapter called 'Values' - available from the left hand side of the screen. 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.

3. Amendments/ Next Update (updated)

The chapters that have been introduced to this manual and the chapters that have been updated are listed below.

Where a chapter has been significantly updated (as opposed to a minor change such as job titles) the change is noted in the scope box at the top of the chapter and the chapter is marked as 'Updated' on the contents list.

Here is a list of the new and updated chapters:

Amendments (August 2011)

New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Change
Short Breaks Procedure	This is a new chapter which reflects the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010.
Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services	This is a new chapter.
Responsibilities of the Local Authority to former Looked After Children and Young People in Custody	This is a new chapter.
Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Change
Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case Records Procedure	This chapter was amended in regard to Access by others to Adoption Case Records, in regard to an independent Review Panel.
Adoption and Permanence Panel Procedure	This chapter was significantly amend to take account of the changes in the Adoption Guidance and National Minimum Standards 2011.
Adoption Reviews Procedure	Section 1, Arrangements for Adoption Reviews and Section 5 (3) The Conduct of Adoption Reviews, was amended in August 2011 as a result of the Adoption Guidance and the National Minimum Standards published in March 2011, which became effective from 1 April 2011.
Adoption Support Procedure	Sections 1 & 2 were updated in August 2011 as a result of the Adoption Guidance and the National Minimum Standards published in March 2011, which became effective from 1 April 2011.
Advocacy and Independent Visitors Procedure	This chapter was amended in regard to the child having access to independent advice and information on how to contact the Children’s Right Director and information in regard to when an independent visitor should be appointed.
Allegations against Foster Carers Procedure	This chapter was significantly amended in regard to new legislation which came into for in April 2011.
Annual Review of Foster Carers Procedure	This chapter was significantly amended in regard to new legislation which came into for in April 2011.
Assessment and Approval of Foster Carers Procedure	This chapter was amended in regard to Home Study/Assessment and sharing bedrooms.
Assessment and Approval of Prospective Adopters Procedure	This chapter was amended in regard to Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and Associated Guidance and should be read in its entirety.
Behaviour Management Procedure	This chapter was slightly amended in regard to the Placement Plan.
Bullying Procedure	This chapter was slightly amended in regard to cyberbullying and recording.
Child Looked After Review Procedure	This chapter was significantly amended to take account of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and should be read in its entirety.
Contact with Parents and Siblings Procedure	This chapter was amended in regard to ‘significant others’ as grand parents and half siblings. Also staff/carers to be aware of significant issues relating to contact.
Contacts and Referrals Procedure	This chapter was significantly amended and should be re read.
Decision to Look After and Post Placement Arrangements Procedure	This chapter was significantly amend in regard to the changes in Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and Associated Guidance and should be read in its entirety.
Education of Children Looked After Procedure	This chapter was significantly amend in regard to the changes in Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and Associated Guidance and should be read in its entirety.
First Aid and Medication Procedure	This chapter was amended to take account of the Fostering Services National Minimum Standards and Children’s Homes National Minimum Standards and should be read in its entirety.
Fostering Panel Procedure	This chapter was significantly amended to take account of the Fostering Services National Minimum Standards and should be read in its entirety.
Initial Assessments Procedure	This chapter was significantly amended and should be re read.
Intermediary Services Procedure	This chapter was slightly amended in regard to the Adoption Contact Register.
Leaving Care Procedure	This chapter was amended to take account of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations and Associated Guidance. The Care Leavers (England) Regulations 2010 and the Planning Transition to Adulthood for Care Leavers Guidance. It should be read in its entirety.
Leaving Care Guidance	This chapter was slightly amended in regard to the role of the Personal Adviser and the involvement of the young person and the content of the Pathway Plan.
Limit on the Number of Children in Foster Homes Procedure	This chapter was amended in regard to timescales.
Pathway Planning and Reviews Procedure	This chapter was significantly amended to take account of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010, the Care Leavers (England) Regulations 2010 and the Planning Transition to Adulthood for Care Leavers Guidance.
Personal Advisors Procedure	This chapter was significantly amended to take account of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010, the Care Leavers (England) Regulations 2010 and the Planning Transition to Adulthood for Care Leavers Guidance.
Persons Disqualified from Fostering Procedure	This chapter was amended to take account of the changes in Fostering Services Regulations 2011.
Placement for Adoption Procedure	This chapter was significantly amended to take account of Adoption Guidance and the National Minimum Standards published in March 2011, which became effective from 1 April 2011 and should be read in its entirety.
Social Worker Visits Procedure	This chapter was amended to take account of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and Associated Guidance, in relation to the timing of visits.
Initial Assessments Procedure	This chapter was significantly amended and should be re read.
Public Law Outline	This chapter was amended in regard to review.
Strategy Discussion/Meeting Procedure	This chapter was significantly amended and should be re read.
A Brief Guide to Assessments Procedure	This chapter was slightly amended.
Child Protection Review Process	This chapter was significantly amended and should be re read.
Core Assessments Procedure	This chapter was significantly amended and should be re read.

This manual is updated on a six-monthly basis and the next update is scheduled for February 2012.

4. 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.

4.1 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 'Looked After Children',

SECTIONS: Within each Service Sector e.g. 'Looked After Services', you will find a Section (group of procedures) like 'Adoption and Permanence'.

CHAPTERS: Under each Section, you'll find individual Chapters/Procedures e.g. 'Adoption Case Records' 4.2 You can search for a Chapter

If you aren't sure which service or section to look in, try 'Search' which will help you identify specific Chapters and sub headings within Chapters

5. Terminology

We believe it is crucial to use consistent terminology, which we agree with individual customers, for example:

'Home' and 'Resource'	this is a generic term which means Children’s Home, Foster Home
'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
'Manager'	means Children's Social Care Manager (CSCM), it also means YOT CSCM 'Line Manager'
'Line Manager'	means the first Line Manager of a team/service
'Parent'	means 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 CSCM 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 (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. Or, use 'Search'.

7. Compliance

7.1 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.

7.2 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.

8. 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.

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 Knowsley Council.

10. 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.

End