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Working Together To Safeguard Children 2026 Update.

The Mental Health Act 2025 Reforms.

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1.Professional Standards and Supervision

  1. 1.0.1Children's Services Values and PrinciplesMarch 4, 2024
  2. 1.0.2Supervision and Management Oversight GuidanceMarch 4, 2024
  3. 1.0.3Management Decision Records GuidanceMarch 4, 2024
  4. 1.0.4Case RecordingMarch 4, 2024
  5. 1.0.5Case Records for Looked After ChildrenMarch 4, 2024
  6. 1.0.6Consents, Confidentiality and Information SharingMarch 4, 2024
  7. 1.0.7Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding StaffJune 25, 2024
  8. 1.0.8Equality and DiversityFebruary 15, 2024
  9. 1.0.9Capacity and ConsentAugust 1, 2025
  10. 1.0.10Social Work England Professional Standards

2.Referral, Assessment and Family Safeguarding

2.1Referral, Assessment and Planning

  1. 2.1.1Thresholds Guidance - Right Help Right TimeJune 25, 2024
  2. 2.1.2MASH Operating FrameworkMarch 4, 2024
  3. 2.1.3Families First for Children National ResourcesAugust 13, 2025
  4. 2.1.4Contacts and ReferralsAugust 1, 2025
  5. 2.1.5Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47)August 1, 2025
  6. 2.1.6AssessmentAugust 1, 2025
  7. 2.1.7Family SafeguardingMarch 4, 2024
  8. 2.1.8Disclosure Protocol for Investigating Child Abuse CasesMarch 4, 2024
  9. 2.1.9Disclosure of Information between Family and Criminal Agencies and Jurisdictions (2024 Protocol)June 25, 2024
  10. 2.1.10Written Agreements - Child in Need and Child ProtectionMarch 4, 2024
  11. 2.1.11Guidance to Statutory VisitsMarch 4, 2024
  12. 2.1.12Step Up Step Down Practice GuidanceAugust 1, 2025

2.2Children in Need and Safeguarding Guidance

  1. 2.2.1Inter-Authority Protocol for Children in NeedMarch 4, 2024
  2. 2.2.2Emergency Duty TeamMarch 4, 2024
  3. 2.2.3Family Networks and Family Group Decision MakingDecember 20, 2024

2.3Exploitation

  1. 2.3.1Child Sexual ExploitationAugust 1, 2025
  2. 2.3.2E-Safety Children Exposed to Abuse through Digital MediaMarch 4, 2024
  3. 2.3.3Children and Young People Missing from Home or Care - Guidance for Social Work StaffAugust 1, 2025
  4. 2.3.4Exploitation Transition ProtocolMarch 4, 2024
  5. 2.3.5West Midlands Region - Core Standards in Placements for the Management of Young RunawaysMarch 4, 2024
  6. 2.3.6Protocol for Children and Young People Missing from Home and CareAugust 1, 2025

3.Court Proceedings

  1. 3.0.1Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law OutlineDecember 20, 2024
  2. 3.0.2Legal Gateway/Planning MeetingsJune 25, 2024
  3. 3.0.3Pre-Proceedings MeetingsMarch 4, 2024
  4. 3.0.4Family 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.

4.Looked After Children

4.1Looked After Children: General

  1. 4.1.1Decision to Look AfterDecember 20, 2024
  2. 4.1.2Care PlanningJune 25, 2024
  3. 4.1.3Permanence Planning ProceduresMarch 4, 2024
  4. 4.1.4Permanence in FosteringAugust 1, 2025
  5. 4.1.5Section 20 GuidanceMarch 4, 2024
  6. 4.1.6Kinship CareDecember 20, 2024
  7. 4.1.7Fostering for AdoptionMarch 4, 2024
  8. 4.1.8Relinquished Babies GuidanceMarch 4, 2024
  9. 4.1.9Placements in the Looked After ServiceMarch 4, 2024
  10. 4.1.10Care Plan GuidanceMarch 4, 2024
  11. 4.1.11Independent Reviewing OfficersMarch 4, 2024
  12. 4.1.12Practice Standards for Child Protection Conference Chairs and Independent Reviewing OfficersMarch 4, 2024
  13. 4.1.13Supporting the Education and Promoting the Achievement of Children with a Social Worker, Children in Care and Children Previously in CareDecember 20, 2024
  14. 4.1.14Personal Education Plan (PEP) HandbookMarch 4, 2024
  15. 4.1.15Health Care Assessments and Health PlansAugust 1, 2025
  16. 4.1.16Advocacy and Independent VisitorsMarch 4, 2024
  17. 4.1.17NICE Guideline: Looked After Children and Young People

4.2Placements of Looked After Children

  1. 4.2.1Placements in Looked After Services (Children's Homes, Foster Care and Commissioned Placements)December 19, 2025
  2. 4.2.2Local Authority's Sufficiency Duty - Accommodation for Looked After ChildrenDecember 19, 2025
  3. 4.2.3Unregistered Homes GuidanceDecember 19, 2025
  4. 4.2.4Placement with ParentsMarch 4, 2024
  5. 4.2.5Placements with Connected PersonsDecember 20, 2024
  6. 4.2.6Placements Outside England and WalesMarch 4, 2024
  7. 4.2.7Out of Area PlacementsDecember 20, 2024
  8. 4.2.8Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare GroundsJune 25, 2024
  9. 4.2.9Placements in Other ArrangementsJune 25, 2024
  10. 4.2.10Ceasing to Look After a ChildAugust 1, 2025
  11. 4.2.11Risk Assessment and PlanningJune 25, 2024
  12. 4.2.12Providing Personalised CareMarch 23, 2022
  13. 4.2.13Health and SafetyAugust 1, 2025
  14. 4.2.14Positive Relationships and Behaviour SupportDecember 19, 2025
  15. 4.2.15Restrictive Physical Intervention and RestraintDecember 19, 2025

4.3Meetings and Reviews

  1. 4.3.1Placement Planning MeetingsMarch 4, 2024
  2. 4.3.2Looked After ReviewsAugust 1, 2025
  3. 4.3.3Disrupted PlacementsMarch 4, 2024
  4. 4.3.4Secure Accommodation (Criteria Reviews)March 4, 2024
  5. 4.3.5Secure Accommodation Reviews GuidanceAugust 1, 2025

4.4Miscellaneous Looked After Procedures

  1. 4.4.1Change of Name of a Looked After ChildJune 25, 2024
  2. 4.4.2Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Looked After ChildNovember 28, 2023
  3. 4.4.3Family Contact Policy and ProceduresMarch 4, 2024
  4. 4.4.4Delegated Authority GuidanceDecember 19, 2025
  5. 4.4.5Pocket Money and Savings for Looked After ChildrenMarch 4, 2024
  6. 4.4.6Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After ChildrenDecember 19, 2025
  7. 4.4.7Leisure ActivitiesAugust 1, 2025
  8. 4.4.8Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UKDecember 19, 2025
  9. 4.4.9Junior Individual Saving Accounts for Looked-After Children

4.5Transition and Leaving Care

  1. 4.5.1Transition and Leaving CareAugust 1, 2025
  2. 4.5.2Staying Put (Foster Care) PolicyDecember 19, 2025

5.Fostering Services, Adoption and Permanence

5.1Fostering Services

  1. 5.1.1Fostering PanelMarch 4, 2024
  2. 5.1.2Recruitment, Assessment and Approval of Foster CarersDecember 20, 2024
  3. 5.1.3Joint ProtocolMarch 4, 2024
  4. 5.1.4Exemptions to the Usual Fostering LimitMarch 4, 2024
  5. 5.1.5Changes to Terms of ApprovalMarch 4, 2024
  6. 5.1.6Persons Disqualified from FosteringMarch 4, 2024
  7. 5.1.7Annual Reviews and Termination of ApprovalsMarch 4, 2024
  8. 5.1.8Supervision and Support of Foster CarersMarch 4, 2024
  9. 5.1.9Allegations/Complaints Against Foster CarersDecember 19, 2025
  10. 5.1.10Payment for Skills and the Skills Level CriteriaMarch 4, 2024
  11. 5.1.11Training and Development of Foster CarersDecember 20, 2024
  12. 5.1.12Dogs PolicyMarch 4, 2024
  13. 5.1.13Walsall Fostering Website
  14. 5.1.14Fostering Services National Minimum Standards

5.2Adoption and Permanence

  1. 5.2.1Planning for Adoption, the Child's Journey through AdoptionMarch 4, 2024
  2. 5.2.2Adoption Panel PapersMarch 4, 2024
  3. 5.2.3Child Appreciation DaysMarch 4, 2024
  4. 5.2.4Special GuardianshipDecember 19, 2025
  5. 5.2.5Final Farewell Family TimeMarch 4, 2024
  6. 5.2.6Adoption@heart website - Please visit for Adoption Procedures

6.All Children

6.1All Children

  1. 6.1.1Private FosteringMarch 4, 2024
  2. 6.1.2Forced MarriageAugust 1, 2025
  3. 6.1.3Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern SlaveryAugust 1, 2025
  4. 6.1.4No Recourse to Public FundsMarch 4, 2024
  5. 6.1.5Allegations Against Staff or VolunteersAugust 1, 2025
  6. 6.1.6Persons Posing a Risk to ChildrenAugust 1, 2025
  7. 6.1.7Young CarersDecember 19, 2025
  8. 6.1.8Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983December 20, 2024
  9. 6.1.916 and 17 Year Olds Who are Homeless or Threatened with Homelessness (Joint Protocol)December 19, 2025
  10. 6.1.10Deprivations of Liberty
  11. 6.1.11Mental Capacity

6.2Notifications

  1. 6.2.1Death of or Serious Injury in relation to a Child in Need (including a Looked After Child or Care Leaver Up to and Including the Age of 24)June 25, 2024
  2. 6.2.2Notifications of Looked After Children Placed in Walsall by Other Local AuthoritiesMarch 4, 2024
  3. 6.2.3Notification of Significant EventsJune 25, 2024
  4. 6.2.4Ofsted - Notifiable Incidents - (Children)March 4, 2024

6.3Children's Disability Guidance

  1. 6.3.1Principles of Good Practice for Safeguarding Children with DisabilitiesMarch 4, 2024
  2. 6.3.2Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and DisabilitiesDecember 20, 2024
  3. 6.3.3About Me (for children on Short Breaks)March 4, 2024
  4. 6.3.4Short Term Breaks Referrals and PlacementsMarch 4, 2024
  5. 6.3.5Transition Protocol for Disabled ChildrenMarch 4, 2024
  6. 6.3.6Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential SettingsAugust 1, 2025
  7. 6.3.7Long Stay Hospital AdmissionsMarch 4, 2024
  8. 6.3.8Children and Young People’s Continuing Care National FrameworkJune 25, 2024

7.Young People in the Criminal Justice System

  1. 7.0.1Joint Practice Guidance for Working with Young People in the Criminal Justice System in Children's Services in WalsallMarch 4, 2024
  2. 7.0.2Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention AccommodationDecember 19, 2025
  3. 7.0.3Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice ServicesDecember 19, 2025
  4. 7.0.4Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in CustodyMarch 4, 2024
  5. 7.0.5Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National GuidanceDecember 19, 2025

8.Appendices

  1. 8.0.1Local ContactsDecember 19, 2025
  2. 8.0.2Scheme of Delegated Decision MakingMarch 4, 2024
  3. 8.0.3Designated ManagersJune 25, 2024
  4. 8.0.4Ofsted Inspection FrameworkDecember 20, 2024
  5. 8.0.5Working Together to Safeguard Children
  6. 8.0.6Amendments

Last Updated: December 19, 2025

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