Contents


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This contents list is sub divided into the following sections, each Section contains relevant Chapters/Procedures: (Click on the title to jump to the Section you require):

  1. All Children
  2. Case Management and Recording
  3. Children in Particular Circumstances
  4. Children with Disabilities
  5. Child Protection
  6. Looked After Children
  7. Fostering and Adoption
  8. Family and Friends Care
  9. Child Health Policies
  10. Appendices


1. All Children

1.1

Policy Values and Principles

  
1.1.1 Swindon's Practice Framework and Vision and Principles for Children's Social Care and Early Help  
1.1.2 Confidentiality Policy  
1.1.3 Children, Families and Community Health Supervision Policy  
1.1.4 Children's Social Care Supervision Policy  
1.1.5 Performance Management and Quality Assurance Framework  
1.1.6 Children, Families and Community Health Travel Assistance Policy and Procedure  
1.1.7 Information Sharing Guidance for Children, Families and Community Health  
1.1.8 Participation and Engagement Strategy  
1.1.9 Financial Procedure  
1.1.10 Practice Standards For Social Workers and Practitioners  
1.1.11 Management Practice Standards  

   

1.2

Early Help and Thresholds for Children's Social Care Services

  
1.2.1 Early Help Services  
1.2.2 Swindon Safeguarding Children's Partnership Multi-Agency Threshold Guidance - The Right Help at the Right Time  
1.2.3 Early Help/Mash Step Up Processes  
1.2.4 Elective Home Education (EHE) Policy  

   

1.3

Children's Social Care Assessment and Planning

  
1.3.1 Contacts and Referrals  
1.3.2 Assessment  
1.3.3 Swindon MASH Protocol  
1.3.4 A Model for Risk Assessment  
1.3.5 Case Transfer Protocol  
1.3.6 Child Protection Enquiries - Section 47 Children Act 1989
(Swindon Safeguarding Partnership Procedures) 		 
1.3.7 AIM Assessment and Referral Information  
1.3.8 Conferences and CLA processes - CSMT Processes for Invites and Reports to all CP Conferences and CLA Reviews  
1.3.9 Swindon Borough Council – Pre-Birth Practice Guidance  
1.3.10 Multi Agency Pre-birth Protocol to Safeguard Unborn Babies New

   

1.4

Legal Proceedings - under review

  
1.4.1 Application for Emergency Protection Orders  
1.4.2 Care and Supervision Proceedings and The Public Law Outline  
1.4.3 Legal Planning Meetings  
1.4.4 Obtaining Childcare Legal Advice  
  See also: Family 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.  

   

1.5

Complaints and Whistleblowing

  
1.5.1 Complaints and Representations  
1.5.2 Whistleblowing Policy and Guidance for those wishing to Report Concerns Updated
1.5.3 Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers Updated
1.5.4 Escalation Policy Updated
1.5.5 Notifications of Serious Incidents / Need to Know Policy Updated
1.5.6 Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child In Need) Updated


2. Case Management and Recording

2.1 Recording Policy and Guidelines  
2.2 Case Records for Looked After Children  
2.3 Access to Records/Subject Access Requests Updated
2.4 Electronic Recording of Meetings and Conversations  
2.5 Swindon Guidance for Children, Families and Community Health Managers for Managing Caseloads  
2.6 Interpreter and Translation Procedure  
2.7 Children's Social Worker - Leaving Checklist Updated
2.8 Management Instruction Note: 1 EDS Practice Standards & Contacting the Service Manager on Call  
2.9 Management Instruction Note: 2 BRAG ratings in MASH, Timescales & Reviews & Repeat Contacts  


3. Children in Particular Circumstances

3.1

Prevention and Family Support

  
3.1.1 Children in Need Procedures  
3.1.2 Section 17 Payments  


 

3.2

Deprivation of Liberty and Mental Capacity

  
3.2.1 Restricting a Child's Liberty Updated
3.2.2 Mental Capacity  

   

3.3

Children from Abroad - under review

  
3.3.1 Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery  
3.3.2 Families with No Recourse to Public Funds  
3.3.3 Homes for Ukraine - Guidance for Councils: Children Already Living with Sponsors in the UK without their Parent or Legal Guardian  

   

3.4

Homelessness

  
3.4.1 Prevention of Homelessness and Provision of Accommodation for 16 and 17 Year Olds who may be Homeless and/or Require Accommodation; and Duty to Refer  
3.4.2 Swindon 16 and 17 year old Homeless Protocol  

   

3.5

Young Carers

  
3.5.1 Young Carers  

   

3.6

Relinquished Children

  
3.6.1 Relinquished Children  

   

3.7

Missing Children

  
3.7.1 Missing Children  

   

3.8

Children Involved in the Youth Justice System

  
  Swindon Youth Safety Strategy 2022-2026  
  Swindon Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2024-2025  
3.8.1 Childen we Care For at Risk of Offending Updated
3.8.2 Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children in Custody Updated
  See also: Memorandum of understanding for the provision of Local Authority accommodation for Children & Young People (10-17 years) following Police bail or being denied bail  
3.8.3 Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National Guidance Updated


4. Children with Disabilities

4.1 Disabled Children Team  
4.2 Practice Standards for Children's Early Help and Social Care Services  
4.3 Personal Budgets and Direct Payments Updated
4.4 Short Breaks  
4.5 Short Breaks at Local Offer Level (Aiming High)  
4.6 Short Breaks Scheme - The Home from Home Respite Scheme Updated
4.7 Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities  
4.8 Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential Settings Updated


5. Child Protection

5.1 Child Protection Conferences Updated
5.2 Implementing the Child Protection Plan Updated
5.3 Quorate Child Protection Conferences  
5.4 Notification and Transfer of Children Subject to Child Protection Plans across Swindon Borough Council Boundaries Procedure  
5.5 Policy to Reduce the Number of Children Subject to Child Protection Plans for Longer than 2 Years  
5.6 Children Subject to Child Protection Plans and a Legal Order (Dual Plans)  
5.7 Safeguarding Children to Safeguarding Adults Transition Protocol  
5.8 Child Sexual Exploitation  
5.9 The Role of the Child Protection Chair  
5.10 Prevent and Channel Updated
5.11 Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Policy  


6. Looked After Children

  Swindon Corporate Parenting Terms of Reference  
  Swindon Permanence Strategy 2024 – 2026  

   

6.1

Decision to Look After and Care Planning

  
6.1.1 Decision to Look After  
6.1.2 Local Authority's Sufficiency Duty - Accommodation for Looked After Children Updated
6.1.3 Permanence Policy 2024 Updated
6.1.4 Guidance on Issues Relating to Section 20 of the Children Act and Placements with Relatives - under review  
6.1.5 Disruption Meetings (Permanent Placements: Fostering and Residential)  
6.1.6 Placements in Foster Care  
6.1.7 Placements in Residential Care  
6.1.8 Memorandum of understanding for the provision of Local Authority accommodation for Children & Young People (10-17 years) following Police bail or being denied bail  
6.1.9 Out of Authority Placements for SBC Children Updated
6.1.10 Placements with Connected Persons  
6.1.11 Placements in Secure Accommodation  
6.1.12 Placements with Parents Updated
6.1.13 Placements Outside England and Wales  
6.1.14 Notifications from Other Local Authorities/Placing Providers  
6.1.15 Ceasing to be a Child in our Care Updated
6.1.16 Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After Children Updated
6.1.17 Placements in Other Arrangements  
6.1.18 Guidance for Placements in Unregistered Settings Updated
6.1.19 EU Settlement Scheme: Looked-after Children and Care Leavers Guidance  
6.1.20 SBC Children’s Sufficiency Strategy 2023-2028 New

   

6.2

Monitoring and Reviews

  
6.2.1 Social Worker Visits to Looked After Children Updated
6.2.2 Advocacy and Independent Visitors Updated
6.2.3 Children We Care For Reviews Updated
6.2.4 Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing Officers (IRO) Updated
6.2.5 Secure Accommodation (Criteria) Reviews Updated
6.2.6 Notification of Significant Events  
6.2.7 Local Dispute Resolution Process for Quality Assurance Reviewing Officers Updated
6.2.8 Fostering IRO Dispute Resolution Process Updated
6.2.9 Lighter Touch Children We Care For Reviews Updated
6.2.10 Guidance for the Holding of Stability Meetings New

   

6.3

Contact and Overnight Stays

  
6.3.1 Contact with Parents/Adults and Siblings  
6.3.2 Social (Friendship) Visits (Including Overnight Stays) Updated
6.3.3 Supervised Contact Procedure  

   

6.4

Education, School Trips and Holidays

  
6.4.1 Supporting the Education and Promoting the Achievement of Children with a Social Worker, Looked After and Previously Looked After Children  
6.4.2 Holiday Guidance for Foster Carers Updated

   

6.5

Health and Wellbeing

  
6.5.1 Health Assessments and Health Care Plans  
6.5.2 Personal Care and Relationships  
6.5.3 Positive Relationships and Behaviour Management  
6.5.4 Restrictive Physical Intervention and Restraint  
6.5.5 Sexual Health Procedure Updated
6.5.6 Consent Guidance for Children Looked After Needing Surgery Including Dental Extraction Updated

   

6.6

Change of Name and Marriage

  
6.6.1 Change of Name for a Child We Care for (Child in Care) Updated
6.6.2 Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Looked After Child  
6.6.3 Birth Certificate Application Process  

   

6.7

Leaving Care and Transition

  
6.7.1 Leaving Care and Transition  
6.7.2 Services for Swindon Young People who are Care Experienced - Financial Policy and Guidance 2024 – 2025 Updated
6.7.3 Staying Put Policy 2024 – 2025 Updated
6.7.4 Swindon's Leaving Care Policy  
6.7.5 Placement in Supported Lodgings Policy Updated
6.7.6 Joint Protocol for Care Experienced Young People and Housing Updated


7. Fostering and Adoption

7.1

Fostering Services

  
  See also: Foster Carers Handbook Updated
7.1.1 Fostering Service Statement of Purpose  
7.1.2 Foster Care Approval and Matching Panel  
7.1.3 Persons Disqualified from Fostering  
7.1.4 Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers Updated
7.1.5 Exemptions and Extensions/Variations to Foster Carer Approval Updated
7.1.6 Supervision and Support of Foster Carers  
7.1.7 Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers Updated
7.1.8 Managing Concerns, Complaints and Allegations against Foster Carers, including Historical Allegations Updated
7.1.9 Foster Carers Finance Handbook Updated
7.1.10 Dangerous Pets Policy Updated
7.1.11 Foster Carers Possessing Guns and Weapons Updated
7.1.12 Children in Foster Care - Delegated Authority Policy Updated
7.1.13 Overpayment of Fostering Allowances and Fees Policy Updated
7.1.14 Transfer of Foster Carers Protocol Updated
7.1.15 Induction of Foster Carers Policy and Guidance Updated
7.1.16 Respite Foster Care Guidance & Procedures Updated
7.1.17 Emergency Foster Placement Scheme Updated
7.1.18 Policy and Procedure for Parent and Child Foster Placements Updated
7.1.19 Family Finding & Matching Policy Updated
7.1.20 Fostering Friendly Policy Updated
7.1.21 Bedroom Sharing Policy Updated
7.1.22 Foster Carers Social Media and Social Networks Policy Updated
7.1.23 Household Safety Policy Updated
7.1.24 Smoking Policy Updated
7.1.25 Foster with Swindon - Refer a Friend Policy for Approved Carers New

   

7.2

Adoption and Permanence Services

  
  Adopt Thames Valley Statement of Purpose Updated
  Please note that Swindon are part of the Adopt Thames Valley RAA and members of the agency will follow the Adoption Procedures in the Oxfordshire Children's Services Procedures Manual.  


8. Family and Friends Care

8.1 Swindon Borough Council Kinship Care Policy Updated
8.2 Children We Care For & Special Guardianship Order Policy 2024 New
8.3 Private Fostering Procedure Updated
8.4 Private Fostering Statement of Purpose 2024 – 2025 Updated
8.5 Applications for Special Guardianship Orders  
8.6 Court Reports in Adoption / Special Guardianship Guidance  
8.7 SBC Special Guardianship Orders - Our Offer 2024 – 2025 New
8.8 Children's Services Policy for Special Guardianship Order, Adoption and Child Arrangement Order Allowances and the Annual Review of such Allowances and financial support New
8.9 Swindon Special Guardianship Order Model New
  See also:  


9. Child Health Policies

  See: Resource Library  


10. Appendices

10.1 Local Contacts Updated
10.2 Scheme of Delegation Updated
10.3 Working Together to Safeguard Children  
10.4 Swindon Safeguarding Partnership Neglect Strategy (2024-2027)  
10.5 Practice Guidance - Neglect Framework and Practice Guidance Updated
10.6 Practice Guidance - Forced Marriage  
10.7 Children Services Social Media Policy  
10.8 Ofsted Inspection Framework  
10.9 Amendments