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Working Together To Safeguard Children 2026 Update.

The Mental Health Act 2025 Reforms.

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Contents

Please see additional local information in the Durham Resource Library, including information on Supervision.

Note: in Durham we use the term 'Children Looked After'. Throughout these procedures, you will also find references to 'Looked After Children' in line with the terminology used in legislation and statutory guidance. The terms are interchangable.

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1.All Children

1.1Policy, Values and Principles

  1. 1.1.1Children's Services Policies, Values and PrinciplesMay 22, 2024
  2. 1.1.2How Durham Children's Social Care will Update the tri.x Procedures Manual Including Durham's Resource LibraryNovember 13, 2025
  3. 1.1.3Children's Consultation and ParticipationNovember 14, 2024
  4. 1.1.4Joint Area Management Meetings (JAMM)November 14, 2023
  5. 1.1.5Capacity and ConsentNovember 13, 2025
  6. 1.1.6Equality and DiversityNovember 14, 2023
  7. 1.1.7Editing Guidance - How to Edit Procedures
  8. 1.1.8Transfer and Handover Protocol

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

  1. 1.2.1One Point Operating Procedures (Durham Resource Library)
  2. 1.2.2Threshold Document - 0-19 Level of Need (including pre-birth)
  3. 1.2.3Stronger Families in County Durham
  4. 1.2.4Early Intervention: Policy and Provision (House of Commons Library)

1.3Children's Social Care - Assessment and Planning

  1. 1.3.1Contacts and ReferralsMay 16, 2025
  2. 1.3.2Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47)November 14, 2024
  3. 1.3.3Children Who Demonstrate Abusive Behaviours Towards Other Children or AdultsNovember 14, 2024
  4. 1.3.4Allocation of Work and Transfer between TeamsNovember 14, 2023
  5. 1.3.5AssessmentsNovember 13, 2025
  6. 1.3.6Operating Procedures - First Contact and MASH (Durham Resource Library)
  7. 1.3.7Stronger Families in County Durham
  8. 1.3.8Local Protocol for Assessment - Single Assessment Procedure and Practice Guidance
  9. 1.3.9Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership Procedures

1.4Operating Procedures

  1. 1.4.1Operating Procedures - First Contact and MASH (Durham Resource Library)
  2. 1.4.2Operating Procedures - Emergency Duty Team (Durham Resource Library)
  3. 1.4.3Operating Procedures - Families First (Durham Resource Library)
  4. 1.4.4One Point Operating Procedures (Durham Resource Library)
  5. 1.4.5Use of Information from Police Checks
  6. 1.4.6Use of Information from Police Checks (Leaflet for Families) (Durham Resource Library)
  7. 1.4.7Use of Information from Police Checks (Durham Constabulary - Request for Information) (Durham Resource Library)

1.5Supporting Solutions and Family Group Conference

  1. 1.5.1Supporting Solutions
  2. 1.5.2Family Group Conference
  3. 1.5.3Voluntary and Community Sector Alliance

1.6Public Law Proceedings

  1. 1.6.1Applications for Emergency Protection OrdersMay 22, 2024
  2. 1.6.2Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law OutlineMay 16, 2025
  3. 1.6.3Legal Planning MeetingsMay 22, 2024
  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.

1.7Private Law Proceedings, including Special Guardianship and Child Arrangements Orders

  1. 1.7.1Applications for Special Guardianship OrdersNovember 13, 2025
  2. 1.7.2Private Law Applications for a Special Guardianship OrderNovember 14, 2023
  3. 1.7.3Court Reports in Placement Order Applications and Adoption/Special Guardianship GuidanceMay 22, 2024
  4. 1.7.4Eligibility and Provision of Financial Support in Respect of Child Arrangement OrdersNovember 14, 2023
  5. 1.7.5Special Guardianship Policy
  6. 1.7.6Progressing New Special Guardianship Orders - Flowchart
  7. 1.7.7Special Guardianship Orders Leaflet
  8. 1.7.8Special Guardianship Order/Child Arrangement Order Panel Terms of Reference
  9. 1.7.9New Panel Application Checklist
  10. 1.7.10Special Guardianship Order Reference Template
  11. 1.7.11Support Services Policy (Durham Resource Library)
  12. 1.7.12Referral Form for Financial Support for Adoption / Special Guardianship / Child Arrangement Orders
  13. 1.7.13Kinship Care and Support Request for Support Form
  14. 1.7.14Payment of Transitional Financial Support for Special Guardianship / Child Arrangement Order Form
  15. 1.7.15Legal Support
  16. 1.7.16Finance Request Form

1.8Complaints and Whistleblowing

  1. 1.8.1Complaints and RepresentationsNovember 14, 2024
  2. 1.8.2Whistleblowing or Raising Concerns at WorkNovember 14, 2024

1.9Notifications

  1. 1.9.1Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After, Child in Need or Care Leaver Up to and Including the Age of 24)November 13, 2025

1.10Transporting Children and Young People

  1. 1.10.1Travel Arrangements for Young PeopleNovember 14, 2023
  2. 1.10.2Transporting Children and Young People

2.Case Management and Recording

  1. 2.0.1Recording Policy and GuidelinesNovember 14, 2024
  2. 2.0.2Guidance on Electronic Recording of Meetings and ConversationsMay 22, 2024
  3. 2.0.3Storage of Data on Mobile DevicesNovember 14, 2023
  4. 2.0.4Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding StaffNovember 14, 2024
  5. 2.0.5Subject Access Request Procedure

3.Children in Particular Circumstances

3.1Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

  1. 3.1.1Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and DisabilitiesMay 16, 2025
  2. 3.1.2Personal Budgets and Direct PaymentsNovember 13, 2025
  3. 3.1.3Short BreaksNovember 14, 2024
  4. 3.1.4Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential SettingsNovember 13, 2025
  5. 3.1.5Children and Young People’s Continuing Care National FrameworkMay 16, 2025
  6. 3.1.6County Durham Local Offer

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 SlaveryNovember 14, 2024
  2. 3.3.2Families with No Recourse to Public FundsNovember 13, 2025

3.4Homelessness

  1. 3.4.1Durham County Council Joint Protocol between Children's Social Care and Housing
  2. 3.4.2Procedure on Responding to Young People Presenting as Potentially Homeless (Durham Resource Library)

3.5Family and Friends Care

  1. 3.5.1Kinship CareNovember 13, 2025
  2. 3.5.2Private FosteringNovember 14, 2024
  3. 3.5.3Family Networks and Family Group Decision MakingMay 16, 2025

3.6Young Carers

  1. 3.6.1Young CarersNovember 13, 2025

3.7Relinquished Children

  1. 3.7.1Relinquished ChildrenMay 16, 2025

3.8Missing

  1. 3.8.1Children Missing from Home and Care (Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership Procedures)

3.9Mental Health

  1. 3.9.1Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983November 14, 2024

4.Children Looked After

  1. 4.0.1Promoting Wellbeing and Positive Identity for a Child or Young Person Who is Looked After: A Quick Guide for Social Workers and Social Care Practitioners (NICE)

4.1Decision to Look After and Care Planning

  1. 4.1.1Local Authority's Sufficiency Duty - Accommodation for Children Looked AfterMay 16, 2025
  2. 4.1.2Decision to Look AfterNovember 14, 2024
  3. 4.1.3Care PlanningMay 22, 2024
  4. 4.1.4Looked After Placement Referral Process and Placement and Resource Panel GuidanceNovember 13, 2025
  5. 4.1.5Ceasing to Look After a ChildNovember 14, 2024
  6. 4.1.6Placement Planning and Disruption MeetingsMay 22, 2024
  7. 4.1.7Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Children Looked AfterNovember 13, 2025
  8. 4.1.8Children Looked After who do not wish Parents to have Information on their CaseMay 16, 2025
  9. 4.1.9Early Permanence Planning Strategy

4.2Placements

  1. 4.2.1Placements with ParentsNovember 14, 2023
  2. 4.2.2Placements with Connected PersonsNovember 14, 2024
  3. 4.2.3Placements in Foster CareMay 22, 2024
  4. 4.2.4Placements in Residential CareMay 22, 2024
  5. 4.2.5Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare GroundsMay 22, 2024
  6. 4.2.6Out of Area PlacementsMay 16, 2025
  7. 4.2.7Placements Outside England and WalesNovember 14, 2024
  8. 4.2.8Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention AccommodationNovember 13, 2025
  9. 4.2.9Notifications from Other Local Authorities/Placement ProvidersNovember 14, 2023
  10. 4.2.10Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential WorkersNovember 14, 2023
  11. 4.2.11Placements in Other ArrangementsMay 16, 2025
  12. 4.2.12Risk Assessment and PlanningNovember 13, 2025
  13. 4.2.13Providing Personalised CareNovember 14, 2023
  14. 4.2.14Health and SafetyMay 16, 2025
  15. 4.2.15NICE Guideline: Looked After Children and Young People

4.3Monitoring and Reviews

  1. 4.3.1Social Worker Visits to Children Looked AfterNovember 14, 2023
  2. 4.3.2Advocacy and Independent VisitorsNovember 14, 2024
  3. 4.3.3Children Looked After ReviewsNovember 14, 2023
  4. 4.3.4Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing OfficersNovember 14, 2023
  5. 4.3.5Secure Accommodation (Criteria) ReviewsNovember 14, 2023
  6. 4.3.6Notifications of Significant Events for a Child Looked AfterMay 22, 2024

4.4Contact and Overnight Stays

  1. 4.4.1Contact (Family Time) with Parents/Adults and SiblingsNovember 14, 2024
  2. 4.4.2Making Family Time Work - Good Practice GuidanceMay 22, 2024
  3. 4.4.3Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays) for Children Looked AfterMay 22, 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 ChildrenNovember 14, 2024
  2. 4.5.2Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UKNovember 13, 2025
  3. 4.5.3Leisure ActivitiesNovember 14, 2023

4.6Health and Wellbeing

  1. 4.6.1Health Care Assessments and PlansNovember 14, 2023
  2. 4.6.2Personal Care and RelationshipsNovember 14, 2024
  3. 4.6.3Positive Relationships and Behaviour SupportNovember 13, 2025
  4. 4.6.4Restrictive Physical Intervention and RestraintNovember 13, 2025

4.7Change of Name and Marriage/Civil Partnership

  1. 4.7.1Change of Name of a Child Looked AfterNovember 14, 2023
  2. 4.7.2Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Child Looked AfterNovember 14, 2023

4.8Leaving Care and Transition

  1. 4.8.1Leaving Care and TransitionMay 16, 2025
  2. 4.8.2Staying PutMay 22, 2024
  3. 4.8.3Financial Procedures for Care LeaversMay 22, 2024
  4. 4.8.4Accommodation (Children Leaving Care)November 14, 2023
  5. 4.8.5Local Offer for Care Leavers
  6. 4.8.6Applying for National Insurance Numbers (Young People who are Looked After)

4.9Supported Lodgings

  1. 4.9.1Accessing the Supported Lodgings ServiceNovember 14, 2023
  2. 4.9.2Assessment Process for Supported Lodgings ProvidersNovember 14, 2023
  3. 4.9.3Guidance for Supported Lodgings ProvidersNovember 14, 2023
  4. 4.9.4Supervision Guidance for Supported Lodgings ProvidersNovember 14, 2023
  5. 4.9.5Supported Lodgings Panel
  6. 4.9.6Durham Supported Lodgings Handbook

4.10Children Involved in the Youth Justice System

  1. 4.10.1Children Looked After and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice ServicesNovember 13, 2025
  2. 4.10.2Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Children Looked After and Young People in CustodyNovember 14, 2023
  3. 4.10.3Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National GuidanceNovember 13, 2025

5.Fostering and Adoption

5.1Fostering Services

  1. 5.1.1Fostering PanelNovember 14, 2023
  2. 5.1.2Persons Disqualified from FosteringNovember 14, 2023
  3. 5.1.3Assessment and Approvals of Foster CarersMay 16, 2025
  4. 5.1.4Exemptions and Extensions/Variations to Foster Carer ApprovalNovember 14, 2023
  5. 5.1.5Supervision and Support of Foster CarersNovember 14, 2023
  6. 5.1.6Review and Termination of Approval of Foster CarersNovember 14, 2023
  7. 5.1.7Allegations Against Foster CarersMay 16, 2025
  8. 5.1.8Guidance for Placement Disruption MeetingsNovember 14, 2023
  9. 5.1.9Training and Development of Foster CarersNovember 14, 2023
  10. 5.1.10Durham Foster Carers Handbook

5.2Adoption and Permanence Services

  1. 5.2.1Recruitment, Assessment and Approvals of Prospective AdoptersMay 16, 2025
  2. 5.2.2Adoption PanelNovember 14, 2023
  3. 5.2.3Placement for AdoptionMay 16, 2025
  4. 5.2.4Adoption SupportNovember 13, 2025
  5. 5.2.5Monitoring and Supervision of Adoptive PlacementsNovember 14, 2023
  6. 5.2.6Adoption ReviewsNovember 14, 2023
  7. 5.2.7Disruption of Adoptive FamiliesNovember 14, 2023
  8. 5.2.8Allegations Against Prospective Adopters and in Relation to Children Placed for Adoption or Already AdoptedMay 16, 2025
  9. 5.2.9Inter Country AdoptionNovember 14, 2024
  10. 5.2.10Non Agency AdoptionNovember 14, 2024
  11. 5.2.11Adoption Case RecordsMay 22, 2024
  12. 5.2.12Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case RecordsNovember 14, 2023
  13. 5.2.13Intermediary ServicesNovember 14, 2023
  14. 5.2.14Early Permanence: Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective AdoptersNovember 14, 2023
  15. 5.2.15Adopt Coast to Coast Regional Adoption Agency

6.Contacts, List of Agency Decision Makers and Appendices

  1. 6.0.1Local ContactsNovember 14, 2023
  2. 6.0.2List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated OfficersMay 22, 2024
  3. 6.0.3Ofsted Inspection FrameworkMay 16, 2025
  4. 6.0.4Working Together to Safeguard Children

7.Workforce (including Supervision)

  1. 7.0.1Recruitment, Training and Support of Practice EducatorsNovember 14, 2023
  2. 7.0.2Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (Durham Resource Library)
  3. 7.0.3Supervision (Durham Resource Library)
  4. 7.0.4Caseload Policy (Durham Resource Library)
  5. 7.0.5Quality Improvement Framework (Durham Resource Library)

Last Updated: November 13, 2025

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