Amendments

This PDF document was replaced with an updated version in April 2025.

This chapter was refreshed in April 2025.

In April 2025, Section 15.1, Registering an appeal with the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Disability) was updated in line with case law.

In April 2025, updates were made to reflect the Homelessness Code of Guidance - Chapter 22: Care Leavers (updated 3 May 2024) which sets out the expectation that authorities should have in place joint protocols which clearly outline jointly held corporate parenting responsibilities for care leavers. See Section 8, Joint Housing Protocols for Care Leavers.

This chapter was refreshed in October 2024 and locally where required in April 2025.

This chapter was refreshed locally throughout in April 2025.

This chapter was refreshed in April 2025 in line with How Local Authorities and Children’s Homes Can Achieve Stability and Permanence for Children with Complex Needs (Ofsted).

This chapter was updated throughout in October 2024 to reflect the revised Working Together to Safeguard Children and refreshed locally April 2025.

In April 2025, a link was added to Ofsted and CQC Joint Registration Guidance: Children’s Homes and Health Care.

In April 2025, information was added into Section 9, Accommodation, Bedroom Space and Sharing in relation to bunk beds.

This chapter was refreshed in April 2025.

This chapter was updated in April 2025 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets (GOV.UK) in the Related Guidance Section.

In April 2025, links were added to additional sources of guidance.

In April 2025, information was added in relation to Ofsted and CQC Joint Registration Guidance: Children’s Homes and Health Care.

This chapter was updated in April 2025 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets (GOV.UK) in Section 4.5, Concluding the Investigation.

In October 2024, a link to BASW Age Assessment Practice Guidance was added in Section 4, Age Assessment. A link to Operation Innerste Process: Caseworker Guidance was added into Further Information.

This chapter was added in October 2024.

In October 2024, information on Ofsted checks was added into Section 5.1, Checks.

This chapter was updated in October 2024.

This chapter was refreshed in October 2024.

This chapter was added in October 2024.

This chapter was added in October 2024.

This chapter was refreshed in October 2024.

This chapter was refreshed throughout in line with the revised Working Together to Safeguard Children.

This chapter was updated throughout in October 2024 to reflect the revised Working Together to Safeguard Children.

Section 15, Resolving Disagreements was updated in October 2024 to include information on Guidance: Carry Out an Order in Special Educational Needs Cases.

This chapter was refreshed throughout in October 2024.