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Working Together To Safeguard Children 2026 Update.

The Mental Health Act 2025 Reforms.

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NOTE: In Rochdale, we refer to our looked after children as Cared4Children. These procedures use the terminology 'looked after children' in line with national legislation and statutory guidance.

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1.All Children

1.1Policy, Values and Principles

  1. 1.1.1Children's Services Policies, Values and PrinciplesDecember 11, 2025
  2. 1.1.2Confidentiality PolicyDecember 13, 2024
  3. 1.1.3Consultation PolicyJanuary 16, 2024
  4. 1.1.4Children's Consultation and ParticipationDecember 11, 2025
  5. 1.1.5Terms of Reference - Finance PanelJanuary 16, 2024
  6. 1.1.6Capacity and ConsentDecember 11, 2025
  7. 1.1.7Equality and DiversityJanuary 16, 2024

1.2Staffing

  1. 1.2.1Supervision PolicyJune 25, 2025
  2. 1.2.2Lone Working ProceduresJanuary 16, 2024
  3. 1.2.3Violence and Aggression PolicyJanuary 16, 2024
  4. 1.2.4Manager Guidance - Managing Violence and AggressionJanuary 16, 2024
  5. 1.2.5Manager Guidance - Procedure for Dealing with Potentially Violent or Aggressive SituationsJanuary 16, 2024
  6. 1.2.6Manager Guidance - Risk AssessmentJanuary 16, 2024
  7. 1.2.7Safety Fact Sheet - Personal Safety TipsJanuary 16, 2024
  8. 1.2.8Children’s Social Care Performance and Quality Assurance FrameworkJune 25, 2025
  9. 1.2.9Social Work Caseloads PolicyJanuary 16, 2024

1.3Child Sexual Exploitation

  1. 1.3.1Sunrise Team Operating ModelJanuary 16, 2024
  2. 1.3.2Flowchart - Referrals to Sunrise (Cases not currently open to Children’s Services)January 16, 2024
  3. 1.3.3Flowchart - Referrals to Sunrise (Cases currently open to Children’s Services)January 16, 2024
  4. 1.3.4Practice Guidance for Practitioners and Support Staff Supporting Adult Victims of CSEJanuary 16, 2024
  5. 1.3.5Psychological Therapy Services Stepped Care ModelJanuary 16, 2024

1.4Early Help and Thresholds for Children's Social Care Services

  1. 1.4.1Children in Need Framework/Thresholds for Children's Social Care InterventionJune 25, 2025
  2. 1.4.2Early Help

1.5Children's Social Care - Assessment and Planning

  1. 1.5.1Initial Contacts and ReferralsDecember 11, 2025
  2. 1.5.2EDT Escalation Process - On Call Managers (Childcare)January 16, 2024
  3. 1.5.3AssessmentsDecember 11, 2025
  4. 1.5.4Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47)December 13, 2024
  5. 1.5.5Transfer, Step Up and Step Down ProcedureJune 25, 2024
  6. 1.5.6Expectations of Child Protection Core Group Members and Core GroupJanuary 16, 2024
  7. 1.5.7Accommodating Children under Section 20 Children Act 1989 Procedure (Greater Manchester Safeguarding Procedures)

1.6Court Proceedings

  1. 1.6.1Application for Emergency Protection OrdersJune 25, 2024
  2. 1.6.2Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law OutlineJanuary 16, 2024
  3. 1.6.3PLO Meeting Guidance (Flowchart)January 16, 2024
  4. 1.6.4Terms of Reference - Legal Gateway MeetingsJanuary 16, 2024
  5. 1.6.5Discharge of a Care OrderJanuary 16, 2024
  6. 1.6.6Residence Child Arrangements Order PolicyJanuary 16, 2024
  7. 1.6.7Greater Manchester Section 37 and Section 7 Reports ProtocolJanuary 16, 2024
  8. 1.6.8Disclosure of Information in Cases of Alleged Child Abuse and Linked Criminal and Care Direction Hearings (Greater Manchester Safeguarding Procedures)
  9. 1.6.9Family 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

1.7Miscellaneous

  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 24December 11, 2025
  2. 1.7.2Significant Incident Notification GuidanceJune 25, 2024
  3. 1.7.3 Postnatal Care NICE Clinical Guideline 37 (Dec 2014)

1.8Complaints and Whistleblowing

  1. 1.8.1Complaints and RepresentationsJanuary 16, 2024
  2. 1.8.2Compliments and Complaints: Children and Young Person’s GuideJanuary 16, 2024
  3. 1.8.3WhistleblowingJanuary 16, 2024
  4. 1.8.4Whistleblowing Helpline - Speak Up
  5. 1.8.5Whistleblowing to Ofsted about Children’s Social Care Services - Policy and Guidance for Whistleblowers

2.Case Management and Recording

  1. 2.0.1Case Records and RetentionDecember 11, 2025
  2. 2.0.2Access to Records/Subject Access RequestsJune 25, 2025
  3. 2.0.3Chronology GuidanceJanuary 16, 2024
  4. 2.0.4North West Protocol with Greater Manchester Police in Relation to Public Interest ImmunityJanuary 16, 2024
  5. 2.0.5Electronic Recording of Meetings and ConversationsDecember 11, 2025
  6. 2.0.6Storage of Data on Mobile DevicesDecember 11, 2025
  7. 2.0.7Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding StaffDecember 11, 2025

3.Prevention and Family Support

  1. 3.0.1North West Children's Improvement Programme: Integrated Early Help StrategyJanuary 16, 2024
  2. 3.0.2Child in Need PlanningDecember 13, 2024
  3. 3.0.3Prevention of Homelessness and Provision of Accommodation for 16 and 17 Year Olds who may be Homeless and/or Require Accommodation; and Duty to ReferDecember 11, 2025
  4. 3.0.4Family and Friends Care PolicyJanuary 16, 2024
  5. 3.0.5Private FosteringJune 25, 2025
  6. 3.0.6Social Worker Guidance on Section 20 Accommodation and Private ArrangementsJanuary 16, 2024
  7. 3.0.7Resource Allocation PanelJanuary 16, 2024
  8. 3.0.8Section 20 AgreementJanuary 16, 2024
  9. 3.0.9Parents' Agreement for Family/Friends to Care for Children as a Private ArrangementJanuary 16, 2024
  10. 3.0.10Information for Families about Children Living with Family/FriendsJanuary 16, 2024
  11. 3.0.11Carers' Agreement to Care for Children as a Private ArrangementJanuary 16, 2024
  12. 3.0.12Accommodating Children under Section 20 Children Act 1989 Procedure (Greater Manchester Safeguarding Procedures)

3.1Family Group Meetings

  1. 3.1.1Family Networks and Family Group Decision MakingJune 25, 2024

4.Children in Particular Circumstances

  1. 4.0.1AIM Meeting Business Process (flowchart)January 16, 2024
  2. 4.0.2Pan-Greater Manchester Protocol on Missing Children and Young PeopleDecember 11, 2025
  3. 4.0.3Rochdale Missing Children ProtocolJanuary 16, 2024
  4. 4.0.4Greater Manchester Police Rochdale and Bury Division Triage Standard Operating ProcedureJanuary 16, 2024
  5. 4.0.5YCAP/Triage ProcessJanuary 16, 2024
  6. 4.0.6Youth Offending Team/Children's Social Care Targeted Services Roles and ResponsibilitiesJanuary 16, 2024
  7. 4.0.7Greater Manchester Runaway and Missing from Home and Care Protocol (RMFHC)
  8. 4.0.8Youth Justice Board - Standards for Children in the Youth Justice System
  9. 4.0.9Case Management Guidelines

4.1Children with Disabilities

  1. 4.1.1Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and DisabilitiesDecember 13, 2024
  2. 4.1.2Direct PaymentsJanuary 16, 2024
  3. 4.1.3Short Breaks (Involving Overnight Stays)December 11, 2025
  4. 4.1.4Transition for Young People with Learning Difficulties/Disabilities in RochdaleJanuary 16, 2024
  5. 4.1.5Interagency Protocol for Children with Complex/Continuing Health Care NeedsJanuary 16, 2024
  6. 4.1.6Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential SettingsDecember 11, 2025
  7. 4.1.7Children and Young People’s Continuing Care National FrameworkJune 25, 2024

4.2Children from Abroad

  1. 4.2.1Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern SlaveryDecember 13, 2024
  2. 4.2.2No Recourse To Public Funds ProcessJanuary 16, 2024
  3. 4.2.3Policy and Practice Guidance in Respect of those with No Recourse to Public FundsJanuary 16, 2024

4.3Cases with a Foreign Element in the Greater Manchester Safeguarding Procedures

  1. 4.3.1Cross-border Child Protection Cases: The 1996 Hague Convention
  2. 4.3.2Guidance: The International Child Abduction and Contact Unit

4.4Cases Crossing Local Authority Boundaries (Greater Manchester Safeguarding Procedures)

  1. 4.4.1North West Children in Need Moving Across Local Authority Boundaries (North West Resource)
  2. 4.4.2North West Notification and Transfer of Children Subject of Child Protection Plans across Local Authority Boundaries Procedure (North West Resource)
  3. 4.4.3North West Pre-Care and Care Proceedings Notification and Transfer across Local Authority Boundaries Procedure (North West Resource)

4.5Provision of Accommodation for Children under PACE (Greater Manchester Safeguarding Procedures)

  1. 4.5.1Joint Protocol for Considering Requests for the Provision of Accommodation under PACE (Greater Manchester Local Authorities and Greater Manchester Police)
  2. 4.5.2PACE Contacts for Greater Manchester

4.6Young Carers

  1. 4.6.1Young CarersDecember 11, 2025

4.7Safeguarding Children and Young People Vulnerable to Radicalisation and Extremism

  1. 4.7.1Safeguarding Children and Young People Vulnerable to Radicalisation and ExtremismJanuary 16, 2024

4.8Mental Health

  1. 4.8.1Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983December 11, 2025

5.Cared4Children

5.1Decision to Look After and Care Planning

  1. 5.1.1Decision to Look AfterDecember 11, 2025
  2. 5.1.2Care PlanningJanuary 16, 2024
  3. 5.1.3Permanence Strategy and ProceduresJanuary 16, 2024
  4. 5.1.4Parallel Planning for Permanence GuidanceJanuary 16, 2024
  5. 5.1.5Terms of Reference - Permanence PanelJanuary 16, 2024
  6. 5.1.6Placement Planning and Disruption MeetingsDecember 11, 2025
  7. 5.1.7Placements in Foster CareDecember 11, 2025
  8. 5.1.8Placements in Residential CareJune 25, 2024
  9. 5.1.9Out of Area PlacementsDecember 13, 2024
  10. 5.1.10Placements with Family and Friends/Connected Persons (Regulation 24)June 25, 2025
  11. 5.1.11Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare GroundsJune 25, 2024
  12. 5.1.12Placements with ParentsJanuary 16, 2024
  13. 5.1.13Placements Outside England and WalesDecember 11, 2025
  14. 5.1.14Notifications from Other Local Authorities/Placement ProvidersJanuary 16, 2024
  15. 5.1.15Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention AccommodationDecember 11, 2025
  16. 5.1.16Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential WorkersDecember 11, 2025
  17. 5.1.17Child Trust Funds and Junior Individual Savings Accounts for Looked After ChildrenJanuary 16, 2024
  18. 5.1.18Ceasing to Look After a ChildDecember 13, 2024
  19. 5.1.19Placements with Dogs PolicyJanuary 16, 2024
  20. 5.1.20Placements in Other ArrangementsDecember 11, 2025
  21. 5.1.21Sufficiency Strategy
  22. 5.1.22Safeguarding Children from Dangerous Dogs Procedure (Greater Manchester Safeguarding Procedures)
  23. 5.1.23Accommodating Children under Section 20 Children Act 1989 Procedure (Greater Manchester Safeguarding Procedures)
  24. 5.1.24NICE Guideline: Looked After Children and Young People
  25. 5.1.25Corporate Parenting Strategy

5.2Monitoring and Reviews

  1. 5.2.1Continual Assessment of Cared4Children: Practice GuidanceJanuary 16, 2024
  2. 5.2.2Social Worker Visits to Looked After ChildrenJanuary 16, 2024
  3. 5.2.3Advocacy and Independent VisitorsDecember 11, 2025
  4. 5.2.4Looked After ReviewsJanuary 16, 2024
  5. 5.2.5Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing OfficersJune 25, 2025
  6. 5.2.6Secure Accommodation (Criteria) ReviewsJanuary 16, 2024
  7. 5.2.7Notifications of Significant EventsDecember 11, 2025

5.3Contact and Overnight Stays

  1. 5.3.1Contact with Parents and SiblingsJanuary 16, 2024
  2. 5.3.2Overnight Stays and Social VisitsJanuary 16, 2024

5.4Education, School Trips and Holidays

  1. 5.4.1Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UKDecember 11, 2025
  2. 5.4.2Supporting the Education and Promoting the Achievement of Children with a Social Worker, Looked After and Previously Looked After ChildrenDecember 11, 2025
  3. 5.4.3Higher Education Bursary for Cared for ChildrenJanuary 16, 2024
  4. 5.4.4Leisure ActivitiesDecember 11, 2025

5.5Health and Wellbeing

  1. 5.5.1Health Care Assessments and PlansJanuary 16, 2024
  2. 5.5.2Personal Care and RelationshipsDecember 11, 2025
  3. 5.5.3Positive Relationships and Behaviour ManagementJanuary 16, 2024
  4. 5.5.4Restrictive Physical Intervention and RestraintDecember 11, 2025
  5. 5.5.5Practice Guidance: Supporting Young People with HIV Testing and Prevention

5.6Identity

  1. 5.6.1Change of Name of a Looked After ChildDecember 11, 2025
  2. 5.6.2Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Looked After ChildDecember 11, 2025

5.7Leaving Care and Transition

  1. 5.7.1Leaving Care and TransitionJune 25, 2025
  2. 5.7.2Leaving Care and Transition: Young Person’s GuideJune 25, 2025
  3. 5.7.3Financial Assistance Procedure and GuidanceJanuary 16, 2024
  4. 5.7.4Finance Policy - Looked After Young People 16+January 16, 2024
  5. 5.7.5Financial Assistance 16+ Young Person’s Leaflet 2014January 16, 2024
  6. 5.7.6Virtual Spending - Setting Up Home Allowance: Young Person’s GuideJanuary 16, 2024
  7. 5.7.7Second Chance ProtocolJanuary 16, 2024
  8. 5.7.8Second Chance Protocol: Young Person’s GuideJanuary 16, 2024
  9. 5.7.9Cared4Children Joining the Armed ForcesJanuary 16, 2024
  10. 5.7.10Staying PutDecember 11, 2025
  11. 5.7.11Staying Put Arrangements: Foster Carer's GuideJanuary 16, 2024
  12. 5.7.12Staying Put Arrangements: Foster Carer's LeafletJanuary 16, 2024
  13. 5.7.13Staying Put Arrangements: Young Person's GuideJanuary 16, 2024
  14. 5.7.14Staying Put Arrangements: Young Person's LeafletJanuary 16, 2024
  15. 5.7.15Apprenticeship, Traineeship and Job with Training Guide for Professionals Working with Cared-for Young People and Care LeaversJanuary 16, 2024
  16. 5.7.16Staying on Guidance: Arrangements for Care Leavers aged 18 and above to 'Stay On' within Supported Lodgings or Supported AccommodationJanuary 16, 2024
  17. 5.7.17Care Leavers Protocol between: Rochdale, Middleton & Heywood Jobcentre Plus, Benefit Delivery Centres and Rochdale Cared for Children ServicesJanuary 16, 2024
  18. 5.7.18Personal Adviser Induction GuidanceJune 25, 2025
  19. 5.7.19Care Leavers Charter
  20. 5.7.20Care Leaver Offer

5.8Children Involved in the Youth Justice System

  1. 5.8.1Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice ServicesDecember 11, 2025
  2. 5.8.2Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in CustodyJanuary 16, 2024
  3. 5.8.3Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National GuidanceDecember 11, 2025
  4. 5.8.4Youth Justice Services GM Agreement (Greater Manchester Safeguarding Procedures)
  5. 5.8.5Joint Protocol for Considering Requests for the Provision of Accommodation under PACE (Greater Manchester Local Authorities and Greater Manchester Police)
  6. 5.8.6PACE Contacts for Greater Manchester

6.Fostering and Adoption

6.1Fostering Services

  1. 6.1.1Foster Carers HandbookSeptember 12, 2025
  2. 6.1.2Fostering PanelJune 25, 2025
  3. 6.1.3Persons Disqualified from FosteringDecember 11, 2025
  4. 6.1.4Assessment and Approvals of Foster CarersDecember 11, 2025
  5. 6.1.5Exemptions and VariationsJanuary 16, 2024
  6. 6.1.6Supervision and Support of Foster CarersDecember 11, 2025
  7. 6.1.7Fostering Service Duty SystemJanuary 16, 2024
  8. 6.1.8Review and Termination of Approval of Foster CarersJune 25, 2025
  9. 6.1.9Allegations Against Foster CarersDecember 11, 2025
  10. 6.1.10Foster Carers Who Wish to AdoptJanuary 16, 2024
  11. 6.1.11Foster Carers Becoming Special GuardiansJanuary 16, 2024
  12. 6.1.12Family and Friends Foster Carers Assessment and Approval ProceduresJanuary 16, 2024

6.2Adoption and Permanence

  1. 6.2.1Assessment and Approval of Prospective AdoptersDecember 11, 2025
  2. 6.2.2Adoption PanelJune 25, 2024
  3. 6.2.3Placement for AdoptionJune 25, 2025
  4. 6.2.4Adoption Health and Safety GuidelinesJune 25, 2025
  5. 6.2.5Adoption SupportDecember 11, 2025
  6. 6.2.6Monitoring and Supervision of Adoptive PlacementsJune 25, 2024
  7. 6.2.7Adoption ReviewsJanuary 16, 2024
  8. 6.2.8Disruption of Adoptive Placements - Adoption 22January 16, 2024
  9. 6.2.9Allegations Against Prospective Adopters and in Relation to Children Placed for Adoption or Already AdoptedDecember 11, 2025
  10. 6.2.10Inter Country AdoptionDecember 13, 2024
  11. 6.2.11Non Agency AdoptionDecember 13, 2024
  12. 6.2.12Adoption Case RecordsJanuary 16, 2024
  13. 6.2.13Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case RecordsJanuary 16, 2024
  14. 6.2.14Intermediary ServicesJanuary 16, 2024
  15. 6.2.15Procedure Relating to Special GuardianshipJanuary 16, 2024
  16. 6.2.16Financial Assistance for Special Guardianship OrdersJanuary 16, 2024
  17. 6.2.17Court Reports in Adoption/Special Guardianship GuidanceDecember 11, 2025
  18. 6.2.18A Foster Carers Guide to Special GuardianshipJanuary 16, 2024
  19. 6.2.19Life Story Books GuidanceDecember 13, 2024
  20. 6.2.20Later Life LettersDecember 13, 2024
  21. 6.2.21Promotion of Education within AdoptionJanuary 16, 2024
  22. 6.2.22Adoption Statement of PurposeJanuary 16, 2024
  23. 6.2.23Placement Order RevocationsJanuary 16, 2024
  24. 6.2.24Early Permanence: Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective AdoptersJune 25, 2024
  25. 6.2.25Relinquished ChildrenDecember 13, 2024
  26. 6.2.26Adoption Interagency Fees GuidanceJanuary 16, 2024

7.Appendices, Local Contacts and List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers

  1. 7.0.1Local ContactsJanuary 16, 2024
  2. 7.0.2Children’s Social Care Delegation SchemeJanuary 16, 2024
  3. 7.0.3Children's Social Care Structure FlowchartDecember 13, 2024
  4. 7.0.4Ofsted Inspection FrameworkDecember 11, 2025
  5. 7.0.5Working Together to Safeguard Children
  6. 7.0.6Amendments

Last Updated: June 25, 2025

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