LeicestershireChildren and Family Service Procedures Manual

A link to Early Help Local Information has been added to in the Local Information section.

These details have been updated.

These details have been added to the manual.

This chapter has been updated to reflect the outcome of a judgment following an application to remove a child at birth. The judge highlighted ‘good practice steps’ to undertaking assessments and issuing care proceedings in respect of the removal of a child at birth, including the assessment process (see Section 11.1, Pre-birth ‘Good Practice Steps’).

This chapter has been updated to reflect the outcome of a judgment following an application to remove a child at birth. The judge highlighted what were thought to be ‘good practice steps’ to issuing care proceedings in respect of the removal of a child at birth (see Section 3.1, Pre-Birth Planning and Proceedings).

This chapter has been updated to reflect the outcome of a judgment following an application to remove a child at birth. The judge set out what were thought to be ‘basic and good practice steps’ (see Section 2, Considerations).

A note has been added to Section 2, Retention and Confidentiality of Records with regards to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (GODDARD INQUIRY/IICSA) – The Chair of the IICSA issued a notice, dated 2nd July 2015, to all local authority chief executives. The scope of this notice is very broad. It requires that all records/information (in any format) relating to child protection, safeguarding and the provision of services to children must be retained, pending the conclusion of this national inquiry. This supersedes all other guidance relating to the retention and destruction of records, and applies to all council records, particularly those relating to Children’s Services.

Section 1, Placement Planning Meetings has been updated with regards to the first Placement Planning Meeting in relation to a placement should be held before the placement. Where this is not possible because of the urgency of the situation, It should be held within 5 working days. The Placement Plan must be prepared for the meeting.

Section 4, The Placement has been updated with regards to the first Placement Planning Meeting in relation to a placement should be held before the placement. Where this is not possible because of the urgency of the situation. It should be held within 5 working days. The Placement Plan must be prepared for the meeting.

This chapter has been updated to acknowledge the President of the High Court’s judgement regarding applications in English courts for Secure Accommodation placements in Scotland (see Section 4.1, Placement Request, Identification and Approval).

This chapter has been updated to note The Law Society guidance ‘Attendance of solicitors at local authority Children Act Meetings’ and their Code of Conduct where the child or family who attend reviews are supported by a legal representative (see Section 8, Independent Reviewing Officer's Responsibilities)

This chapter has been slightly updated and should be re-read.

Section 1, What is a Life Story Book? has been updated with regards to it is good practice that all children who are looked after have a Life Story Book.

This is based on learning from Serious Care Reviews in other LA and this contains a model written agreement which is shown as completed document using fictitious names.