Contents

1.All Children

1.1Policy, Values and Principles

1. 1.1.1Children's Services Policies, Values and Principles August 19, 2024
2. 1.1.2Children's Consultation and ParticipationFebruary 16, 2026
3. 1.1.3Equality and DiversityJuly 25, 2022

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

1. 1.2.1Early Help Framework March 16, 2023
2. 1.2.2Capacity and ConsentFebruary 16, 2026
3. 1.2.3Early Intervention: Policy and Provision (House of Commons Library)

1.3Children's Social Care - Assessment and Planning

1. 1.3.1Contacts and ReferralsFebruary 16, 2026
2. 1.3.2AssessmentsAugust 19, 2025
3. 1.3.348 Hours and preferably with 24 hours Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47)February 16, 2026
4. 1.3.4Local Protocol for Assessment
5. 1.3.5Multi-Agency Safeguarding Children Procedures
6. 1.3.6Allocation of Work and Transfer between Teams

1.4Child in Need

1. 1.4.1Child in Need Plans and ReviewsFebruary 16, 2026

1.5Legal Proceedings

1. 1.5.1Applications for Emergency Protection OrdersAugust 19, 2024
2. 1.5.2Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline
   Updated
   February 16, 2026
3. 1.5.3Legal Gateway/Planning MeetingsAugust 19, 2024
4. 1.5.4Guidance on Directions Made Under Section 38 (6)August 18, 2023
5. 1.5.5Local Practice Guide - The Use of Section 20 of the Children Act 1989 in the Context of Child ProtectionFebruary 13, 2024
6. 1.5.6Disclosure of Information between Family and Criminal Agencies and Jurisdictions: 2024 Protocol
7. 1.5.7Cross-border child protection cases: the 1996 Hague Convention (DfE)
8. 1.5.8Family 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.

1.6Complaints and Whistleblowing

1. 1.6.1Complaints and RepresentationsFebruary 13, 2024
2. 1.6.2Whistleblowing (intranet)

1.7Notifications

1. 1.7.1Death or Serious Harm to a Child Looked After, Child in Need or Care Leaver Up to and Including the Age of 24
   Updated
   February 16, 2026

2.Case Management and Recording

1. 2.0.1Recording Policy and GuidelinesFebruary 13, 2024
2. 2.0.2Case Records and RetentionMarch 16, 2023
3. 2.0.3Confidentiality PolicyFebruary 13, 2025
4. 2.0.4Electronic Recording of Meetings and ConversationsFebruary 13, 2025
5. 2.0.5Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding StaffFebruary 13, 2025
6. 2.0.6Storage of Data on Mobile DevicesFebruary 13, 2025
7. 2.0.7Case Summaries - Practice Guidance and ProcedureFebruary 13, 2024
8. 2.0.8Access to Records/Subject Access Requests

3.Children in Particular Circumstances

3.1Children with Disabilities and Complex Health Needs

1. 3.1.1Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and DisabilitiesFebruary 13, 2025
2. 3.1.2Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential SettingsFebruary 16, 2026
3. 3.1.3Doncaster Council Local Offer - Personal Budgets (intranet)
4. 3.1.4Short Breaks

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 SlaveryFebruary 16, 2026
2. 3.3.2Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children who go Missing and cannot be LocatedFebruary 16, 2026
3. 3.3.3Families with No Recourse to Public FundsAugust 19, 2025

3.4Homelessness

1. 3.4.1Prevention of Homelessness and Provision of Accommodation for 16 and 17 Year Olds who may be Homeless and/or Require Accommodation; and Duty to Refer

3.5Family and Friends Care

1. 3.5.1Kinship CareUnder Review
2. 3.5.2Private FosteringFebruary 16, 2026
3. 3.5.3Family Networks and Family Group Decision MakingAugust 19, 2024
4. 3.5.4Family Group Conferencing (intranet)

3.6Young Carers

1. 3.6.1Young Carers
   Updated
   February 16, 2026

3.7Relinquished Children

1. 3.7.1Relinquished ChildrenFebruary 16, 2026

3.8Mental Health

1. 3.8.1Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983August 19, 2025

4.Looked After Children

4.1Decision to Look After and Care Planning

1. 4.1.1Decision to Look AfterFebruary 13, 2025
2. 4.1.2Care PlanningAugust 19, 2024
3. 4.1.3Ceasing to Look After a ChildAugust 19, 2024
4. 4.1.4Permanence Planning GuidanceFebruary 13, 2024
5. 4.1.5Placement Planning and Disruption MeetingsFebruary 13, 2024
6. 4.1.6Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After Children
   Updated
   February 16, 2026
7. 4.1.7Providing Personalised CareAugust 18, 2023
8. 4.1.8Children who are Subject to a Child Protection Plan who become Looked AfterMarch 16, 2023
9. 4.1.9Local Authority's Sufficiency Duty - Accommodation for Looked After Children
10. 4.1.10NICE Guideline: Looked After Children and Young People

4.2Placements

1. 4.2.1Placements with ParentsFebruary 13, 2024
2. 4.2.2Placements with Connected PersonsAugust 19, 2024
3. 4.2.3Placements in Foster CareAugust 19, 2024
4. 4.2.4Placements in Residential CareAugust 19, 2024
5. 4.2.5Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare GroundsAugust 19, 2024
6. 4.2.6Out of Area PlacementsFebruary 13, 2024
7. 4.2.7Placements Outside England and WalesFebruary 13, 2024
8. 4.2.8Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation
   Updated
   February 16, 2026
9. 4.2.9Notifications from Other Local Authorities/Placement ProvidersMarch 16, 2023
10. 4.2.10Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential WorkersFebruary 16, 2026
11. 4.2.11Placements in Other ArrangementsFebruary 13, 2024
12. 4.2.12Health and SafetyAugust 19, 2025

4.3Monitoring and Reviews

1. 4.3.1Social Worker Visits to Looked After ChildrenFebruary 13, 2024
2. 4.3.2Advocacy and Independent VisitorsMarch 16, 2023
3. 4.3.3Looked After ReviewsAugust 19, 2025
4. 4.3.4Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing OfficersFebruary 13, 2024
5. 4.3.5Secure Accommodation (Criteria) ReviewsMarch 16, 2023
6. 4.3.6Notifications of Significant EventsFebruary 16, 2026
7. 4.3.7Keeping on Track Meetings - Guidance and ProcedureFebruary 13, 2024

4.4Contact and Overnight Stays

1. 4.4.1Family Time with Parents/Adults and SiblingsFebruary 13, 2025
2. 4.4.2Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays)February 16, 2026

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 ChildrenAugust 19, 2024
2. 4.5.2Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UK
   Updated
   February 16, 2026
3. 4.5.3Leisure ActivitiesAugust 19, 2025

4.6Health and Wellbeing

1. 4.6.1Health Care Assessments and PlansAugust 19, 2024
2. 4.6.2Personal Care and RelationshipsMarch 16, 2023
3. 4.6.3Positive Relationships and Behaviour ManagementUnder Review
4. 4.6.4Restrictive Physical Intervention and RestraintFebruary 16, 2026
5. 4.6.5Promoting 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)

4.7Change of Name and Marriage/Civil Partnership

1. 4.7.1Change of Name of a Looked After ChildAugust 19, 2024
2. 4.7.2Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Looked After ChildMarch 16, 2023
3. 4.7.3Junior Individual Savings Accounts

4.8Leaving Care and Transition

1. 4.8.1Leaving Care and TransitionAugust 19, 2025
2. 4.8.2Staying PutFebruary 16, 2026

4.9Children Involved in the Youth Justice System

1. 4.9.1Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services
   Updated
   February 16, 2026
2. 4.9.2Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in CustodyFebruary 16, 2026
3. 4.9.3Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National Guidance
   Updated
   February 16, 2026

5.Fostering and Adoption

5.1Fostering Services

1. 5.1.1Statement of PurposeFebruary 13, 2024
2. 5.1.2Children's Guides - Your Guide to being FosteredUnder Review
3. 5.1.3Fostering PanelFebruary 13, 2024
4. 5.1.4Persons Disqualified from FosteringFebruary 13, 2025
5. 5.1.5Recruitment, Assessments and Approvals of Foster CarersAugust 19, 2025
6. 5.1.6ExemptionsMarch 16, 2023
7. 5.1.7Change to the Foster Carer's Terms of ApprovalAugust 18, 2023
8. 5.1.8Role of Supervising Social WorkerFebruary 16, 2026
9. 5.1.9Guidance on Safer Caring PlanAugust 19, 2024
10. 5.1.10Foster Carers Record Keeping and RetentionMarch 16, 2023
11. 5.1.11Review and Termination of Approval of Foster CarersFebruary 13, 2024
12. 5.1.12Managing Allegation and Suspicions of Harm PolicyFebruary 16, 2026
13. 5.1.13Family Placement and Smoking PolicyMarch 16, 2023
14. 5.1.14Disability Living Allowance - Children in Care in Foster PlacementsAugust 18, 2023
15. 5.1.15Behaviour Management Policy for All Foster CarersMarch 16, 2023
16. 5.1.16The Staying Put Scheme - Information for Foster CarersMarch 16, 2023
17. 5.1.17Foster Carers who Wish to AdoptMarch 16, 2023
18. 5.1.18Guidance for Supervising Social Workers when Foster Carers SeparateFebruary 16, 2026
19. 5.1.19Early Permanence Placements/Fostering for AdoptionAugust 18, 2023
20. 5.1.20Training and Development of Foster CarersMarch 23, 2022

5.2Adoption and Permanence Services

1. 5.2.1Adoption Support
   Updated
   February 16, 2026
2. 5.2.2Adoption ReviewsFebruary 13, 2024
3. 5.2.3Adoption Case Records
   Updated
   February 16, 2026
4. 5.2.4Life Story Books GuidanceAugust 19, 2024
5. 5.2.5Later Life LettersAugust 19, 2024
6. 5.2.6Early Permanence: Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective AdoptersFebruary 13, 2024
7. 5.2.7Adoption Strategy: Achieving Excellence Everywhere
8. 5.2.8One Adoption South Yorkshire - One Adoption South Yorkshire is Doncaster Children’s Service’s Regional Adoption Agency. All other policies and procedures relating to adoption can be found here.

5.3Special Guardianship

1. 5.3.1Applications for Special Guardianship Orders
   Updated
   February 16, 2026
2. 5.3.2Court Reports in Placement Order Applications and Adoption/Special Guardianship GuidanceUnder Review

6.Appendices

1. 6.0.1Ofsted Inspection FrameworkFebruary 13, 2025
2. 6.0.2Working Together to Safeguard Children