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Contents

Before using the procedures listed in the manual's Contents section, please check New and Amended Procedures (Local Resources) as the current version of the procedure you need may be available there.

These procedures use the term 'contact' in line with legislative provisions.
In Northamptonshire, we use the term 'family time'. The terms should be regarded as interchangeable for the purposes of these procedures.

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1.All Children

  1. 1.0.1Links to Further Relevant Northamptonshire Materials
  2. 1.0.2Northamptonshire Children's Trust Procedures Manual: Practitioner Guidance Notes
  3. 1.0.3Northamptonshire Children's Trust Procedures Manual Maintenance Practice Guidance

1.1Policy, Values and Principles

  1. 1.1.1Children's Services Policies, Values and Principles March 24, 2025
  2. 1.1.2Senior Leadership Alert Procedure - Essential Reporting for Safeguarding and Children's ServicesMarch 24, 2025
  3. 1.1.3Senior Leadership Alert FormsMarch 24, 2025
  4. 1.1.4Confidentiality PolicyMay 21, 2024
  5. 1.1.5Consultation PolicyMarch 24, 2025
  6. 1.1.6Children's Consultation and Participation
    Updated
    August 19, 2025
  7. 1.1.7Kinship Care
    Updated
    August 19, 2025
  8. 1.1.8Supervision Policy and ProcedureAugust 19, 2025
  9. 1.1.9Equality and DiversityMarch 24, 2025

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

  1. 1.2.1Early Help AssessmentMarch 24, 2025
  2. 1.2.2Threshold Document - Continuum of Help and SupportAugust 19, 2025
  3. 1.2.3Capacity and ConsentAugust 19, 2025
  4. 1.2.4Local Protocol for Assessment
    Updated
    August 19, 2025

1.3Children's Social Care - Assessment and Planning

  1. 1.3.1Contacts and ReferralsMarch 24, 2025
  2. 1.3.2AssessmentsAugust 19, 2025
  3. 1.3.3Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47)March 24, 2025
  4. 1.3.4Allocation of Work and Transfer between Teams - Case Transfer and ClosureAugust 19, 2025
  5. 1.3.5Family Network Meetings GuidanceMarch 24, 2025
  6. 1.3.6Trajectories GuidanceAugust 19, 2025

1.4Court Proceedings

  1. 1.4.1Applications for Emergency Protection OrdersMarch 24, 2025
  2. 1.4.2Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law OutlineJune 23, 2022
  3. 1.4.3Legal Planning Meetings & Gateway Panel
    Updated
    August 19, 2025
  4. 1.4.4Police Powers of ProtectionMarch 24, 2025
  5. 1.4.5Disclosure of Information between Family and Criminal Agencies and Jurisdictions: 2024 Protocol
  6. 1.4.6Cross-border child protection cases: the 1996 Hague Convention (DfE)
  7. 1.4.7Family 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.

1.5Miscellaneous

  1. 1.5.1Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After, Child in Need or Care Leaver Up to and Including the Age of 24)March 25, 2025
  2. 1.5.2Children (Subject of a Child Protection Plan) Travelling AbroadMarch 24, 2025
  3. 1.5.3Non-recent (Historic) AbuseMarch 24, 2025
  4. 1.5.4Section 85/86 (Children Act, 1989) Welfare Checks for ChildrenAugust 19, 2025
  5. 1.5.5Travel Assistance Procedure for Children's Social CareMarch 24, 2025
  6. 1.5.6Lone Visits ProcedureMarch 24, 2025
  7. 1.5.7Supplementary Guidance on Safeguarding Issues, Working Together to Safeguard Children - Appendix B: Further Sources of Information

1.6Complaints and Whistleblowing

  1. 1.6.1Complaints, Compliments and RepresentationsMarch 24, 2025
  2. 1.6.2WhistleblowingAugust 19, 2025
  3. 1.6.3Resolution and Escalation Process (IRO and CP Chair)August 19, 2025
  4. 1.6.4Whistleblowing to Ofsted about Children's Social Care Services - Policy and Guidance for Whistleblowers
  5. 1.6.5Further Relevant Northamptonshire Materials

2.Case Management and Recording

  1. 2.0.1Recording Policy and GuidelinesAugust 19, 2025
  2. 2.0.2Access to RecordsAugust 19, 2025
  3. 2.0.3Case Records and RetentionJanuary 16, 2025
  4. 2.0.4Electronic Recording of Meetings and ConversationsDecember 18, 2024
  5. 2.0.5Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding StaffMarch 25, 2025
  6. 2.0.6Storage of Data on Mobile DevicesNovember 27, 2024
  7. 2.0.7Links to Further Relevant Northamptonshire Materials

3.Prevention and Family Support

  1. 3.0.1Child in Need Plans and Reviews
    Updated
    August 19, 2025
  2. 3.0.2Private FosteringMarch 24, 2025
  3. 3.0.3Family Networks and Family Group Decision MakingMarch 18, 2024
  4. 3.0.4Provision of Accommodation to Homeless 16 and 17 year olds
    Updated
    August 19, 2025
  5. 3.0.5Young CarersAugust 19, 2025
  6. 3.0.6Family Agreements Good Practice GuidanceMarch 24, 2025
  7. 3.0.7Section 17 Financial Support for Children in NeedAugust 19, 2025
  8. 3.0.8Links to Further Relevant Northamptonshire Materials

4.Children in Particular Circumstances

  1. 4.0.1Links to Further Relevant Northamptonshire Materials

4.1Children with Disabilities

  1. 4.1.1Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
    Updated
    August 19, 2025
  2. 4.1.2Direct PaymentsAugust 19, 2025
  3. 4.1.3Short BreaksMarch 25, 2025
  4. 4.1.4Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential SettingsAugust 19, 2025
  5. 4.1.5Children and Young People’s Continuing Care National FrameworkMay 21, 2024

4.2Children from Abroad

  1. 4.2.1Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern SlaveryAugust 19, 2025
  2. 4.2.2Families with No Recourse to Public Funds
    Updated
    August 19, 2025

4.3Relinquished Children

  1. 4.3.1Relinquished ChildrenAugust 19, 2025

4.4Deprivation of Liberty and Mental Capacity

  1. 4.4.1Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983May 21, 2024
  2. 4.4.2Deprivation of Liberty
  3. 4.4.3Mental Capacity

5.Children in Care

  1. 5.0.1Links to Further Relevant Northamptonshire Materials

5.1Decision to Look After and Care Planning

  1. 5.1.1Local Authority's Sufficiency Duty - Accommodation for Looked After ChildrenAugust 19, 2025
  2. 5.1.2Decision to Look AfterOctober 9, 2024
  3. 5.1.3Care PlanningAugust 19, 2025
  4. 5.1.4Ceasing to Look After a ChildSeptember 19, 2023
  5. 5.1.5Permanence Planning StrategyMarch 25, 2025
  6. 5.1.6Placement Planning and Disruption MeetingsAugust 19, 2025
  7. 5.1.7Placements in Foster CareMarch 25, 2025
  8. 5.1.8Placement for Permanent FosteringMarch 24, 2025
  9. 5.1.9Placements in Residential CareAugust 19, 2025
  10. 5.1.10Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation
    Updated
    August 19, 2025
  11. 5.1.11Out of Area PlacementsMarch 25, 2025
  12. 5.1.12Placements with Connected PersonsAugust 19, 2025
  13. 5.1.13Long Term Matching of Children to Connected Person’s Carers – Policy and Practice GuidanceAugust 19, 2025
  14. 5.1.14Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare GroundsSeptember 19, 2023
  15. 5.1.15Placements with ParentsMarch 25, 2025
  16. 5.1.16Placements Outside England and WalesMarch 24, 2025
  17. 5.1.17Notifications from Other Local Authorities/Placement ProvidersMarch 24, 2025
  18. 5.1.18Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential WorkersMarch 24, 2025
  19. 5.1.19Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After ChildrenMarch 24, 2025
  20. 5.1.20Risk Assessment and PlanningMarch 23, 2022
  21. 5.1.21Reunification for Looked After ChildrenMarch 24, 2025
  22. 5.1.22Stability Network Meeting for Children in CareMarch 24, 2025
  23. 5.1.23Health and Safety
    Updated
    August 19, 2025
  24. 5.1.24Unregulated, Unregistered & Crisis Placement ProcedureMarch 24, 2025

5.2Monitoring and Reviews

  1. 5.2.1Social Worker Visits to Looked After ChildrenMarch 24, 2025
  2. 5.2.2Advocacy and Independent Visitors
    Updated
    August 19, 2025
  3. 5.2.3Children in Care ReviewsAugust 19, 2025
  4. 5.2.4Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing OfficersMarch 25, 2025
  5. 5.2.5Secure Accommodation (Criteria) ReviewsMarch 24, 2025
  6. 5.2.6Notifications of Significant EventsMarch 24, 2025

5.3Contact and Overnight Stays

  1. 5.3.1Contact with Parents/Adults and SiblingsMarch 24, 2025
  2. 5.3.2Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays)March 24, 2025

5.4Education, School Trips and Holidays

  1. 5.4.1Holidays and School Trips in the UK
    Updated
    August 19, 2025
  2. 5.4.2Holidays and School Trips Outside the UK (When the Child is Looked After)
    Updated
    August 19, 2025
  3. 5.4.3Supporting the Education and Promoting the Achievement of Children with a Social Worker, Looked After and Previously Looked After ChildrenJuly 25, 2023
  4. 5.4.4Leisure ActivitiesAugust 19, 2025

5.5Health and Wellbeing

  1. 5.5.1Health Care Assessments and PlansAugust 19, 2025
  2. 5.5.2Personal Care and RelationshipsAugust 19, 2025
  3. 5.5.3Positive Relationships and Behaviour ManagementMarch 17, 2023
  4. 5.5.4Restrictive Physical Intervention and RestraintMarch 25, 2025
  5. 5.5.5Saving Policy for Children in CareMarch 24, 2025
  6. 5.5.6Child Safety Online: A practical guide for parents and carers whose children are using social media

5.6Identity

  1. 5.6.1Change of Name of a Looked After ChildFebruary 7, 2024
  2. 5.6.2Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Looked After ChildNovember 28, 2023

5.7Leaving Care and Transition

  1. 5.7.1Leaving Care and TransitionAugust 19, 2025
  2. 5.7.2Staying PutMarch 25, 2025
  3. 5.7.3Financial Arrangements for Care LeaversMarch 24, 2025
  4. 5.7.4Joint Working Protocol for Care Leavers: NCT and Job Centre PlusMarch 24, 2025
  5. 5.7.5Services for Northamptonshire Children’s Trust Young People Leaving Care - Transition to Adulthood (Leaving Care) Financial Policy and GuidanceMarch 24, 2025

5.8Youth Offending

  1. 5.8.1Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice ServicesMarch 25, 2025
  2. 5.8.2Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in CustodyMarch 25, 2025
  3. 5.8.3Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National Guidance
    Updated
    August 19, 2025
  4. 5.8.4Northamptonshire Joint Protocol for the Decriminalisation of Children In Care and Care Leavers
    Updated
    August 19, 2025
  5. 5.8.5A Decision-Making Framework for providers carers and staff: Guidance on when to involve the police when incidents occur
    Updated
    August 19, 2025
  6. 5.8.6Northamptonshire Youth Offending Service

6.Fostering and Adoption

  1. 6.0.1Links to Further Relevant Northamptonshire Materials

6.1Fostering Services

  1. 6.1.1Fostering PanelMarch 25, 2025
  2. 6.1.2Persons Disqualified from FosteringMarch 25, 2025
  3. 6.1.3Assessment and Approvals of Foster CarersMay 21, 2024
  4. 6.1.4Exemptions and Extensions/Variations to Foster Carer ApprovalMarch 25, 2025
  5. 6.1.5Foster Carer Supervision PolicyMarch 25, 2025
  6. 6.1.6Review and Termination of Approval of Foster CarersMarch 25, 2025
  7. 6.1.7Allegations Against Foster CarersMarch 25, 2025
  8. 6.1.8Finance Guidance - Foster Carers Allowances, Fees and Other Financial SupportMarch 24, 2025
  9. 6.1.9Smoking Policy for Foster Carers and Children and Young People in CareMarch 24, 2025
  10. 6.1.10Training and Development of Foster CarersMarch 23, 2022
  11. 6.1.11Foster Carer Recording Policy and Practice GuidanceMarch 24, 2025
  12. 6.1.12Unannounced Home Visits to Foster Carers (UAHVs) – Policy and Practice GuidanceAugust 19, 2025
  13. 6.1.13Children’s Visits within the Fostering ServiceMarch 24, 2025

6.2Adoption and Permanence Services

  1. 6.2.1Recruitment, Assessment and Approval of Prospective AdoptersMarch 25, 2025
  2. 6.2.2NCT VAA Adoption PanelMarch 25, 2025
  3. 6.2.3Placement for AdoptionAugust 19, 2025
  4. 6.2.4Adoption SupportMarch 25, 2025
  5. 6.2.5Monitoring and Supervision of Adoptive PlacementsMarch 25, 2025
  6. 6.2.6Adoption ReviewsMarch 25, 2025
  7. 6.2.7Disruption of Adoptive PlacementsMarch 25, 2025
  8. 6.2.8Allegations Against Prospective Adopters and in Relation to Children Placed for Adoption or Already AdoptedAugust 19, 2025
  9. 6.2.9Non Agency AdoptionMay 21, 2024
  10. 6.2.10Adoption Case RecordsFebruary 8, 2022
  11. 6.2.11Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case RecordsMarch 25, 2025
  12. 6.2.12Applications for Special Guardianship OrdersMarch 25, 2025
  13. 6.2.13Court Reports in Adoption/Special Guardianship GuidanceMarch 25, 2025
  14. 6.2.14Life Story Books GuidanceMay 21, 2024
  15. 6.2.15Later Life LettersMay 21, 2024
  16. 6.2.16Early Permanence: Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective AdoptersAugust 25, 2023
  17. 6.2.17Guidance on Payment of Adoption Allowance, Special Guardianship Order Allowances and Child Arrangements Order AllowancesMarch 24, 2025
  18. 6.2.18Northamptonshire Children’s Trust Voluntary Adoption Agency - Finance PolicyMarch 24, 2025
  19. 6.2.19Financial Support for Children Subject to Special Guardianship OrdersMarch 24, 2025

7.Contacts, List of Agency Decision Makers and Appendices

  1. 7.0.1Local ContactsMarch 24, 2025
  2. 7.0.2List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated OfficersMarch 24, 2025
  3. 7.0.3Ofsted Inspection FrameworkAugust 20, 2024
  4. 7.0.4Working Together to Safeguard Children
  5. 7.0.5Working Together to Safeguard Children - Appendix B: Further Sources of Information
  6. 7.0.6Amendments
  7. 7.0.7Links to Further Relevant Northamptonshire Materials

Last Updated: August 19, 2025

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