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» ‘Forever Planning’ for Bolton’s Children and Young People
Bolton’s Permanence Strategy 2019-2021
Contents1. Introduction 1.1 What is the aim? 4 1.2 DefinitionofPermanence 4 1.3 WhatdoBoltonchildrenwhoarelookedaftersayabout‘Permanence’? 5 1.4 OurcommitmenttothechildrenandyoungpeopleofBolton 5 1.5 WhatweknowaboutLookedAfterChildrenandCareLeaversinBolton 6
Bolton’s Objectives for Permanence Planning2. Objective 1: Supportingchildrenandyoungpeopletoremainwiththeirparentsorcarerswhenitissafetodoso byprovidingeffectiveservicesandsupportandreducingtheneedforchildrentobecomeorremainlookedafter 2.1 Helpingearlierand‘TargetedSupport’ 7 2.2 A‘Strengths-BasedApproach’withfamilies 7 2.3 Effectivepre-proceedingsinterventionandthe‘PublicLawOutline’(PLO) 8 2.4 GatewayandPermanencePanel 8 3. Objective 2: Whenchildrenmustbecomelookedaftertheywillhaveaclearpathwaythatidentifiesand securesapositivepermanencesolutionfortheminatimelyway 3.1 Principlesforeffective‘PermanencePlanning’forLookedAfterChildren 9 3.2 Effectiveplanningincluding‘Multi-track’Planning 9 3.3 Highqualityassessmentofachild’sneeds 10 3.4 Attachmenttheoryandstability 10
4. Options of Permanence 4.1 Reunification 11 4.2 Placementwithfamilyorconnectedpersons 11 4.3 Adoption 12 4.4 Fosteringforadoption/concurrency 12 4.5 Longtermfostering 12 4.6 SpecialGuardianshipOrder(SGO) 12 4.7 ResidentialCare 12
5. When there is delay to permanence being achieved 136. TheroleoftheIndependentReviewingOfficer(IRO) 147. The ‘Child’s Life Story’ 148. Bolton’s pledge to children and young people who are looked after 159. Advocacy services for children and young people in Bolton 1510. Securing enough accommodation for Looked After Children and Care Leavers in Bolton 1511. How will we measure the impact of permanence planning in Bolton? 11.1 The‘TrackingPermanenceModel’ 16 11.2 Trackingpermanence(forallLookedAfterChildrenlinkedtolifetimecosting) 16 11.3 Measuringimpactforthechild 17 11.4 Practiceandresourcedevelopment 17
Appendix A - Achieving Permanence Flowchart 18Appendix B - Permanence Options by Age Grid 19
1.1 What is the aim?
ThisPermanenceStrategysetsoutBoltonCouncil’scommitmenttosecuringpermanenceforallourchildrenandhowthiswillbeachieved.Ourpriorityissupportingchildrentoremainathomewithfamilywherepossibleandwhenchildrendohavetobecomelookedafter,itisourcommitmenttoensuringthesechildrenhaveaclearplanforpermanence.
Permanenceplanningprovidesanunderpinningframeworkforallsocialworkwithchildrenandfamiliesfromthepointofofferingearlyhelp,ifchildrenareinneed,requireprotection,andiftheyhavetobecomelookedafter.
ThisPermanenceStrategywillbeembeddedinthepracticeofallprofessionalsacrossservicesforchildreninBolton.Allpractitionersshouldbeawareoftheirroleinachievingearlypermanenceforeverychildandworkcollectivelywithothersinordertodeliveranexcellentservicethatcontributestoeverychild’sexperienceofreceivingservicesandsupportinBolton.
BoltonCouncilarecommittedtoachievingthebestoutcomesforBolton’schildrenandfamilies,keytothisisthateveryprofessionaldeliversahigh-qualityserviceforourmostvulnerablechildrentoensureeverychildhasasecure,stableandlovingfamilytosupportthemthroughchildhoodandbeyond.
TheChildrenAct(1989)GuidanceandRegulationssetsouttheclearexpectationthatlocalauthoritiesshould,wherevernecessarysecurepermanentcarearrangementsforchildrenintheircare.Thishasbeenstrengthenedintherevisedregulationswhereachievingpermanencefromthedayachildbecomeslookedafter(CarePlanningPlacementandCaseReview(England)Regulations2010,revised2015).
Introduction
Thisstrategyshouldbereadinconjunctionwith‘Bolton’spledgetochildrenandyoungpeoplewhoarelookedafter’,whichisthesetofpromisesmadebyBoltonCouncilandpartnerstoallchildrenincareandcareleavers.
1.2DefinitionofPermanence
Permanence is the long-term plan for the child’s upbringing and provides an underpinning framework for all social work with children and families from family support through to adoption. The objective of planning for permanence is to ensure that children have the appropriate physical, emotional and legal circumstances to provide them with a stable and loving family to support them through childhood and beyond and to give them a sense of security, continuity, commitment, identity and belonging
Care Planning and Fostering Regulations (2015)
Permanenceisabouthavinga‘familyforlife’(Sinclairetal,2007)andasenseofbelongingandconnectedness(Schofieldetal,2012).
Bolton children and young people want permanence planning for them to be called ‘Forever Planning’.
1.
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1.3WhatdoBoltonchildrenwhoare lookedaftersayaboutPermanence?
Voice 4 U is Bolton’s children and young people’s participation group, and this is what they had to say:
» Youngpeopledidn’tunderstandwhatwasmeantbytheword‘Permanence’;theyidentifiedmorewiththeterm‘ForeverPlanning’ratherthan‘PermanencyPlanning’
» Youngpeoplewanttheirfamilytobeconsideredtocareforthemfirst,thisshoulddependonwhetherprofessionalsthinkitissafeandinformedbythechildoryoungperson’sviews
» Youngpeopleinformustheywanttofeelsafeandcomfortablewheretheylive,andtheywanttofeelwantedbythepersoncaringforthem.Oneyoungpersonsaidtheyliketheircarerbecausetheylistentothemandmakethemfeelokay,sotheiremotionsdon’tgetworse
» Youngpeoplesayprofessionalsneedtoasktheirparentswhattheirlikesarewhenthinkingabouttheirfutureifthisisawayfromtheirparents
» Talkingaboutsiblings,youngpeopleidentifiedmorewiththeterm‘brothersandsisters’;youngpeoplespokeabouthowitisimportantforthemtolivewithbrothersandsistersiftheycanandthatprofessionalsneedtothinkaboutwhenbrothersandsistersaresplitbetweenlivingwithfamilyandsomeinotherplacementsandtheimpactthishasontheirrelationshipswitheachother.Youngpeoplefelttheycouldbepushedoutoftheirsiblinggroupbecausetheywereplacedoutsideoftheirfamily
» Talkingaboutanadulttheytrustedgrowingup,youngpeoplespokeaboutateacherorkeyworkerfromschool
» Youngpeoplewouldratherknowtheyaremovingevenifthiswillupsetthem,asthisgivesthemtimetoprocesswhatishappeningbeforetheymove
» Youngpeoplewanttoknowhowlongtheplanistolivesomewhereasnotknowingisharder
» Youngpeoplesaidthatwhentheplanisforthemtolivewithsomeonetheydonotknowsuchasafostercarerthattheyshouldbegiventheopportunitytobeintroducedtothembeforetheymove
1.4OurcommitmenttothechildrenandyoungpeopleofBolton
Childrenandyoungpeopleareattheheartofeverythingwedo,Bolton’s2030VisionsetsouttheclearplanofwhatneedstobedonetosupportthepeopleofBoltontoStartWell,LiveWellandAgeWell.
We are committed to delivering the following outcomes for our children, families and communities in Bolton which will underpin our approach to Permanence planning:
» Givingourchildrenthebestpossiblestartinlife,sothattheyhaveeverychancetosucceedandbehappy
» Developingstronger,cohesive,moreconfidentcommunitieswherepeoplefeelsafe,welcomeandconnected
» Ourchildrenaresafeandhealthy,andactive
» Ourchildrenarriveatschoolreadytolearnanddevelop
» Ourchildrenarepreparedforlife
» Ourlookedafterchildrenaspireandachieve
» PeopleinBoltonstaywellforlonger,andfeelmoreconnectedintheircommunities
» PeopleinBoltoncanliveindependently,withchoiceandcontrol
» PeopleinBoltonlivelonger,healthierlives
» Povertyisreducedamongourfamiliesandchildren
» ItisourresponsibilitytoensureeverychildinBoltonwillhavethesupportandservicestomeettheirassessedneeds
» Decisionsaboutachild’sfutureplanningwilltakeaccountandrespectthechild’srace,religion,sexuality,ageanddisability
»
1.5WhatweknowaboutLookedAfterChildren(LAC)andCareLeaversinBolton
Duringthelast10yearsBolton’sLACpopulationhasrisenfrom436(March2009)tothecurrentlevelof647(March2019).Thisisanincreaseofover48.4%.Thetrajectoryoftherisecanbeseeninthetableaboveandifthetrendfrom2011continued,by2028therewouldbe960LookedAfterChildreninBolton.
FurtheranalysisofBolton’sLookedAfterChildrenpopulationcanbefoundintheBoltonCouncil‘LAC Sufficiency Statement 2018-2020’.
»
Bolton’s Objectives for Permanence Planning EffectivePermanencePlanninginBoltonmustleadfromarecognitionthatthepopulationofLookedAfterChildrencontinuestoincreaseyearonyear,thereforeourfirstobjectiveistosupportchildrenwherepossibletoremainathomeandoursecondobjectiveistoensurewhenitisnecessaryforachildoryoungpersontobecomelookedafterthatpermanenceisachieved:
Objective 1Supportingchildrenandyoungpeopletoremainwiththeirparentsorcarerswhenitissafetodosobyprovidingeffectiveservicesandsupportandreducingtheneedforchildrentobecomeorremainlookedafter.
Objective 2Whenchildrenmustbecomelookedaftertheywillhaveaclearpathwaythatidentifiesandsecuresapositivepermanencesolutionfortheminatimelyway.
Table1:LACPopulationinBolton
400
500
600
700
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019Year End Year End Year End Year End Year End Year End Year End Year End Year End Year End Year End
436
481
521 517539 530
572 561579
615647
Looked After Children at year end
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FurtheranalysisofBolton’sLookedAfterChildrenpopulationcanbefoundintheBolton Council ‘LAC Sufficiency Statement 2018-2020’.
https://boltonchildcare.proceduresonline.com/pdfs/bolton_suff_statement.pdf?zoom_highlight=sufficiency#search=%22sufficiencyhttps://boltonchildcare.proceduresonline.com/pdfs/bolton_suff_statement.pdf?zoom_highlight=sufficiency#search=%22sufficiencyhttps://boltonchildcare.proceduresonline.com/pdfs/bolton_suff_statement.pdf?zoom_highlight=sufficiency#search="sufficiencyhttps://boltonchildcare.proceduresonline.com/pdfs/bolton_suff_statement.pdf?zoom_highlight=sufficiency#search="sufficiency
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Objective 1 2.Supporting children and young people to remain with their parents or carers when it is safe to do so by providing effective services and support and reducing the need for children to become or remain looked after.
2.1HelpingearlierandTargetedSupport BoltonStayingSafeDivisionwillworkinpartnershipwithparentsandfamilies,inordertoachievethebestpossibleoutcomesforchildren.Everyeffortwillbemadetosupportchildrenremainingathomewithparentswiththerightlevelofsupportifitissafetodoso.
BoltonStayingSafeDivisionarecommittedtothecontinueddevelopmentoftheEarlyHelpandTargetedServices.Thisserviceistomakeimpactonsupportingchildrenandtheirfamiliesfromtheearliestopportunity.Theaimistoprovidetherightsupportattherighttimewithanapproachthatisfamilyfriendlyandstrengthsbased.MoreinformationcanbefoundintheEarly Help Guidance (2018).
Whenthereareconcernsaboutachildtheappropriateassessmentwillbecompletedandthecorrectlevelofsupporttomeettheneedsofthechildandtheirfamilywillbeprovided,plansforchildrenandyoungpeoplewillbeSMART(Specific,Measurable,Achievable,RelevantandTimely),andwillbereviewedaccordingtostatutorytimescalestoensurepositivechangecanbeachievedwherepossible.MoreinformationcanbefoundintheChildren and Families – Single Assessment Protocol and Guidance.
Boltonwillcontinuetoprovideeffectivetargetedservicesforchildrenontheedgeofcarewiththeaimofreducingriskandwherepossiblepreventingtheneedforchildrentobecomethesubjectofcareproceedingsand/orbecomelookedafter.
Fromourfirstinvolvementwithchildren,youngpeopleandtheirfamilies,theywillbeconsultedwithsensitivityandinwaysthatareappropriatetotheirageandunderstandingtoinformourinvolvementwiththemandthedecisionsthatmayaffectthem.
2.2A‘Strengths-BasedApproach’withfamilies
Boltoniscommittedtoa‘strengths-based approach’whenworkingwithchildren,youngpeople,theirparentsandfamilies.Thisapproachinpracticevaluesthecapacity,skills,knowledge,connectionsandpotentialintheindividuals,theirfamiliesandcommunities.Focusingonstrengthsdoesnotmeanignoringchallengesorspinningstrugglesintostrengths.Practitionerswillworkincollaborationwithfamiliestoempowerthemtosupporteachother.
Itisvitalthatinformationonwhothechild’sextendedfamilyandconnectedpersonsisgainedattheearliestopportunity.Everychildshouldhavea‘genogram’whichdetailsthisinformation.Thiswillinformproactiveplanningforchildrenandenablethesocialworkertoexploreoptionsofsupportwithinthefamily.Intheeventalternativecareoptionsforthechildarerequiredthereisafullunderstandingofthefamilymembers,theirrelationshipsanddynamics.
BoltoniscommittedtoimplementingtheFamilyGroupConferencemodel(FGC).FamilyGroupConferencesarevoluntarydecision-makingmeetingstohelpfamiliesfindtheirownsolutionstoproblems.Thesearesometimesreferredtoasfamilymeetings.TheFGCprocessempowersafamilyandtheirnetworktodrawontheirstrengthsandresourcestomakeasafeplanfortheirchildren.FGC’sensurethefamilynetworkhaveachancetohearanddiscusstheconcerns.Theyalsogiveanopportunityforeveryonetobelistenedtoincludingthechildandyoungperson(s).Itcanbeanopportunitytobeinformedofanyresourcesthatcouldhelpthemimprovefamilylifeandfullyexploretheoptionsforthechildtoremainsafelywiththeextendedfamilyandconnectedpersonnetwork.The’FamilyGroupConferencePolicy’forBoltonwillbecomeavailableintheBoltonChildren’sSocialCareProceduresManual.
https://boltonchildcare.proceduresonline.com/pdfs/early_help.pdf?zoom_highlight=early+help+guidance%23search=%22early%20help%20guidance%22https://boltonchildcare.proceduresonline.com/pdfs/early_help.pdf?zoom_highlight=early+help+guidance%23search=%22early%20help%20guidance%22https://boltonchildcare.proceduresonline.com/chapters/p_ch_single_assess.htmlhttps://boltonchildcare.proceduresonline.com/chapters/p_ch_single_assess.htmlhttps://www.scie.org.uk/strengths-based-approaches/young-people/
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2.3Effectivepre-proceedingsinterventionandthePublicLawOutline(PLO)
BoltonChildrenServicesarecommittedtotheeffectiveuseofthe‘PublicLawOutline’tohelpfamiliesunderstandwhattheyneedtodoandpreventdriftinthedecisionmakingforchildrenandtheirfamilies.Whereitisnecessarytoconsiderpossiblelegalactiontosafeguardachildoryoungpersonandplanfortheirpermanence,thereisa‘pre-proceedingsprocess’inplacewhichmustbeadheredtowhichidentifiestimescales,documentationrequiredandtheneedtokeepthefamilyfullyinformed.Theeffectiveimplementationofthisprocesswhenrequiredcansupportchildrentoremainwiththeirbirthfamilies.MoreinformationcanbefoundinthePLO Flow chartandBolton’s PLO policy.
Intheeventthepre-proceedingsprocessisrequired‘PLOreviewmeetings’shouldbeheldtoreachagreementwithparentsaboutwhatneedstohappentoprotectthechildfromharmsothatCourtproceedingsareavoidedwherepossible.Iftherecanbenoprotectiveplanputinplaceforthechild,theCourtproceedingswillbestartedandthe‘PLOReviewMeeting’willbeusedtoadvisetheparentsofwhatisproposed.TherewillbesomecaseswherethemeetingsdonottakeplacebecausetheriskofharmtothechildissogreatorissourgentthatthereisnoopportunityforaPLOMeeting.
WherethelegalplanninginrespectofachildoryoungpersoninBoltonisnecessary,‘Bolton’s Court Proceedings Policy’setsouttheprocedurestobefollowed.
DecisionstoinitiatethePLOorcourtproceedingsprocessesaremadewiththerelevantHeadofServiceduringlegalplanningmeetings.
2.4GatewayandPermanencePanel
The‘GatewayandPermanencePanel’scrutinisesthedecisionmakingwhenachildoryoungpersonisbecominglookedafter;thisistoensurewearedoingeverythingpossibletopreventthisandwhenitisnecessaryforachildoryoungpersontobecomelookedafter,toensureearlypermanenceplanningiseffective,inlinewiththeprioritiesassetbythisPermanenceStrategyandtheproposedoptionofpermanenceisinthebestinterestsofthechildoryoungpersonconcerned.
From1stApril2019Childrenwhoareidentifiedunderthefollowingcriteriawillberequiredtobepresentedtothe‘Gateway’elementofthe‘GatewayandPermanencePanel’;
a)atriskofbecominglookedafter(EdgeofCare)
b)thereisaplanforachildtobecomelookedafter(HeadofServicehasagreedsocialworkertoissuecareproceedingsorhasagreedtoaccommodateunderSection20oftheChildrenAct1989)
c)achildhasbecomelookedafterinanemergency
https://boltonchildcare.proceduresonline.com/pdfs/plo_flowchart.pdfhttps://boltonchildcare.proceduresonline.com/pdfs/plo_flowchart.pdfhttps://boltonchildcare.proceduresonline.com/chapters/p_public_law.html?zoom_highlight=plohttps://boltonchildcare.proceduresonline.com/chapters/p_court_procs.html?zoom_highlight=proceedingshttps://boltonchildcare.proceduresonline.com/chapters/p_court_procs.html?zoom_highlight=proceedings
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Objective 2 3.When children must become looked after they will have a clear pathway that identifies and secures a positive permanence solution for them in a timely way.
3.1Principlesforeffective‘PermanencePlanning’forLookedAfterChildren
For Bolton Looked After Children and Care Leavers there are principles that must direct effective Permanence Planning, these are:
» Achildoryoungperson’sPermanencePlanwillalwaysbebasedonahigh-qualityassessmentoftheirneedsandtheirwishesandfeelings
» Childrenwillbesupportedtostaywiththeirfamilieswhereitissafetodoso
» Childrenshouldonlyentercareiftherearenootherviableoptionsandremainlookedafterbythelocalauthorityforshortestpossibletime
» Shouldtheneedforalternativeaccommodationbeidentifiedtheprioritywillbeforchildrentoremainclosetotheirlocalconnections,theirfamily,schoolandfriends
» Childrenandyoungpeoplewillhaveaclearplanforpermanencebytheir2ndstatutoryreviewinordertohaveasecurefuture
» SiblingrelationshipswillbeassessedattheearliestopportunitytoensurefullconsiderationoftheirrelationshipswitheachotherandthatthisinformstheirPermanencePlanandplacementchoice.Siblingswillbekepttogetherwherepossiblewhenthisisassessedasappropriateandinthebestinterestsofeachchild
»Whenachildoryoungpersonfacesacrisisandtheyarelivingathomeorwithfamily,therewillbeanofferofshort-termsupporttopreventbreakdownandpromoteplacementstability
» Thechosencarersforchildrenandyoungpeopleshouldalsomeettheireducationandhealthneeds
»Wherechildrenandyoungpeoplearealreadyengagingineducationand/orreceivingsupportaroundtheirmentalhealthlocallythisshouldbeconsideredintheirchosenplanforpermanence
» Childrenwithdisabilitieswillhavethesameaccessandopportunityforplacementsastheirnon-disabledpeers
» Childrenandyoungpeople’saspirationsforthefuturewillbemaximisedandskillstheyneedtoliveindependentlywillbedevelopedwiththembytheircarersonanongoingbasisastheygrowup
» Careleaverswillbeabletoaccess‘stayingput’fostercare,or‘stayingclose’optionswithinsupportedlodgingsandsupportedaccommodation
3.2EffectiveplanningincludingMulti-trackPlanning
Themainprincipleof‘Multi-trackPlanning’istheavoidanceofdelay,assuchitisimperativeallassessmentsrunalongsideoneanother(asopposedtosequentially).Birthparentswillalwaysbeconsultedinregardstotheoptionsunderconsiderationsotheirviewsinformthepermanenceplanningforthechildoryoungperson.The main effort is on returning children where appropriate, to the care of their parents whilst at the same time developing an alternative Permanence Plan within strictly limited timescales.
Wherelegalplanningisnecessaryforchildrenandyoungpeople,theCourtrequiremulti-trackplanningtobereflectedinthechild’splanattheearliestopportunity,duringpre-proceedingsandduringcourtproceedings-seeCare Proceedings PolicyandthePublic Law Outline (PLO) Procedure.
TheCarePlanningRegulations(2015)andtheAdoptionAct(2002),requiretheretobeawrittenPermanencePlanpresentedatthechild’ssecondstatutoryreviewforscrutinybythechildoryoungperson’sIndependentReviewingOfficer(IRO).A‘PermanencePlanningMeeting’willbeconvenedandchairedbytheallocatedTeamManagerpriortothechild’ssecondreview.TheSocialWorkerandotherkeyprofessionalswillattendthismeeting.Thepermanenceplanningprocess,
https://boltonchildcare.proceduresonline.com/chapters/p_court_procs.html?zoom_highlight=proceedingshttps://boltonchildcare.proceduresonline.com/chapters/p_public_law.htmlhttps://boltonchildcare.proceduresonline.com/chapters/p_public_law.html
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informedbymulti-agencycontributions,willidentifywhichpermanenceoptionismostlikelytomeettheneedsoftheindividualchild,takingaccountofhis/herwishesandfeelings(CarePlanningandFosteringRegulations,2015).ThePermanencePlanproducedfromthismeetingwillidentifytheappropriateoptionforthechildalongwithanycontingencyoptionsandwillbeformallyendorsedatthisreview.
PermanencePlansarerequiredforallchildrenwhoarelookedafter(exceptthosewhoare16+yearswheretheneedsassessmentandthepathwayplanformthePermanencePlanfortheyoungperson)
3.3Highqualityassessmentofachild’sneeds
Assessments of children’s needs in relation to his or her Permanence Plan must:
» Focusonoutcomes
» Considerstabilityissues,includingthechild’s/family’sneedsforlongtermsupportandthechild’sneedsforlinks,includingcontactwithhisorherparents,siblingsandwiderfamilynetwork
» SocialWorkersmustensurethechild’sPermanencyPlanisclearlylinkedtopreviousassessmentsofthechild’sneeds
Childrenshouldhavegoodaccesstoprimaryhealthservicesandtheireducationalattainmentmonitoredbythevirtualschool,andifrequiredchildrenandyoungpeoplewillhaveaccesstocommissionedtherapeuticandspecialistservicestosupporttheirmentalhealthandwellbeing.Astrengthsanddifficultiesquestionnairemustbecompletedregularlytoensureagoodunderstandingofthechild’semotionalwellbeingneedssotheyarefullyunderstoodandinformhealthassessments.Itmaybenecessaryforthechild’scasetobepresentedtothe‘GatewayandPermanencePanel’ifjointortripartitefundingisneededforthechildfromHealth,EducationandSocialCare.
3.4Attachmenttheoryandstability
AknowledgeofattachmenttheorycanbeinvaluableinsupportingSocialWorker’stoassessthechildoryoungperson’srelationshipwiththeircaregiverand/ortheirproposedcaregiver.Havinganunderstandingofthechildoryoungperson’sattachmentsandanyissuestheyfacemustinformthePermanencePlanningforthem.
Whenworkingwithfamilies,attachmenttheorycanhelpinformsocialworkersofthelikelyimpactonindividualsoftheirexperienceoftheirparenting,especiallytheimpactofabuse,neglect,separationandloss.Thiscanalsobeusedtosupportparentsorcarerstocareforchildreninawaythatpromotesasecurebaseandinturnassistchildrentodevelophealthyinternalworkingmodelsandcompensateforperviousnegativeexperiences.Attachmenttheoryhasimplicationsforsupportingparentstoimprovetheirparentingskillsinordertopreventchildrenbecominglookedafter,andforchildrenwhohavetoberemovedfromtheirfamilies,itcaninformthedecisionmakingabouttheirfuture.
Whenachildoryoungperson’sPermanencePlanisforthemtobeplacedwithanewprimarycarer,whetherthisiswithaconnectedperson,adoption,fostering,orresidential;AttachmenttheoryisimportanttoinformtheSocialWorkersassessmentofthecarersabilitytoprovideasecureattachment,consistentcareandemotionalwarmthforthechildoryoungpersonasperpolicyguidancecontainedintheFrameworkfortheAssessmentofChildreninNeedandtheirFamilies(DepartmentofHealth,2000).
Attachmenttheoryshouldalsobeusedtounderstandandmanagebehaviouralproblems,assistchildren’sSocialWorkersinassessing,matchingandworkingwithchildren,themanagementofbirthfamilycontactandsupportingsocialworkersinassessingpotentialfostercarersandadoptersandsupportingplacements.
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Options of Permanence 4.There are various options to consider in the planning for permanence for a child or young person.
Thefirstpriorityandcommitmentisforchildrentoremainwithparentsorreturntoparentswheresafetodoso,permanenceforchildrenwithotherfamilymembersoraconnectedpersonisthesecondconsideration,ifthesearenotrealisticoptionsforthechild,thenthealternativepermanenceoptionsshouldbeconsidered.Whenitisnotpossibleforachildtoremainwithfamilyoraconnectedperson,adoptionshouldbeconsideredasarealisticoptionpriortotheotheralternativeplans.
ToensurethatthechosenPermanencePlanforthechildisachievedwithnodelaytoaffordthechildthebestoutcomes,therelevantpolicyandguidanceinregardtothatpermanenceoptionistobefollowed,andconsiderationgiventothelegalorderthatismostappropriatetosupportthatpermanenceoption.
4.1Reunification
Wherechildrenhavehadtomoveawayfromtheirparent’scare,theprimaryaimwillbetorehabilitatechildrenbacktotheirparentsattheearliestopportunitywhereitisappropriatetodoso.Intensiveworkwillneedtotakeplacewithinthefirstfewweeksofthechildbecominglookedafterormovingtoothercarerstoachievethis.Allreasonableeffortswillbemadetorehabilitatethechildwithhis/herfamily,unlessthereissufficientevidencethatfurtherattemptsatrehabilitationareunlikelytosucceedorwillbeharmfultothechild.
Afamilygroupmeetingorfamilygroupconferenceshouldbeconvenedtodeterminewhathelpandsupportisavailablefromextendedfamilymembersthatmayenablethechildtoreturnhomeandremaininthecareoftheirparents.
Whenchildrendoreturnhomearobustassessmentofneed,evidencingthechangesparentshavemadeintheareaofdifficultythatledtothechildbecominglookedafter,isrequiredalongsidearobusttransitionandsupportplantoensureasharpfocusonthesafeandsuccessfulreunificationofachild.Childrenreturninghomearea
vulnerablegroupandthe‘WorkingTogethertoSafeguardChildren’(2018)governmentguidancemakesitclearthatlocalauthoritieshaveadutytoensurearrangementsaresafeandsupportedbyeffectiveinterventionsandservicesfromarangeofprofessionals.Thisgivesthefamilythebestchanceforsuccessandpositiveoutcomefortheindividualchild.
Ifthechildissubjecttocareproceedingsandtheproposedplanforpermanenceisforthechildtoremainlivingwithparents,thenproportionateuseofthecourtordersavailableshouldbeused;includinguseofsupervisionorders,ornoorderifitissafetodoso.
WhererehabilitationofachildwhoissubjecttoaFullCareOrderisbeingconsidered,theNSPCC‘ReunificationAssessmentModel’willbeutilisedbytheSocialWorkertoconductthisassessment.MoreinformationcanbefoundinthePlacements with Parents Policy.
4.2Placementwithfamilyorconnectedpersons
Ifitisnotpossibleforchildrentoremaininthecareoftheirparents,familiesmaymaketheirownarrangementsforchildrentobecaredforwithintheirownfamilynetwork.Ifthechildneedstobecomelookedafter,Bolton’sStayingSafeDivisionhasaresponsibilitywherepossibletoplacechildrenwithconnectedpersons.ThismaybeaplannedarrangementorinanemergencyunderSchedule4oftheCarePlanning,PlacementandCaseReview(England)Regulations2015.
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https://boltonchildcare.proceduresonline.com/chapters/p_place_with_parents.html
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Where there has been a thorough assessment process which clearly demonstrates that the proposed carer is able to care for the child until they are at least 18, placement for children with connected persons could be under the following routes:
» Legallysecuredbya‘ChildArrangementOrder’or‘SpecialGuardianshipOrder’(Special Guardianship Orders Policy)
» Legallysecuredbya‘FullCareOrder’andundera‘KinshipFosteringArrangement’,(Looked After Children Living with Connected People Policy)
4.3Adoption
Inmanycaseswhereachildcannotsafelybecaredforbytheirbirthparentsthepermanenceoptionisthatofadoption.BoltonChildrenServicesiscommittedtoadoptionasalegalandemotionalpermanenceoptionwhichcanbeconsideredforallchildren.Researchstronglysupportsadoptionasaprimaryconsiderationasamainfactorcontributingtothestabilityofchildrenandhasgoodoutcomes.
MoreinformationcanbefoundinthePlacement for Adoption Policy.
4.4FosteringforAdoption/Concurrency
TheChildrenandFamiliesAct(2014)imposesadutyonlocalauthoritiestoconsiderfosteringforadoptionplacementsinallcaseswhereadoptionmaybetheplan.Theadvantageisthatthechildcanbeplacedrightfromthebeginningoftheirtimeincare,andevenfrombirth,withafamilywhohavethepotentialtobecometheiradopters.
MoreinformationcanbefoundintheFostering for Adoption/Concurrency Policy.
4.5Longtermfostering
Thisisanoptionforchildrenwheretherearenosuitablefamilyorconnectedpersonsavailabletocareforthechildlongterm.Thechildmayhavesignificantattachmentstotheirbirthfamilyhoweverarenotabletolivewiththem.
Forthosechildrenwhoremainlooked-after,longtermfosteringisanimportantroutetopermanence.
WherethePermanencePlanforthechildislong-termfostercarethecurrentshort-termplacementisassessedtomeetthelongtermneedsofthechildforpermanence,orwhereanewplacementisidentifiedforthechildasaresultofanassessmentandmatchingprocess.
BoltonChildrenServicesarecommittedtomatchingchildreninfostercaretolongtermplacementswhichsupportsthechild’ssenseofbelongingandsecurityforthesechildren.
MoreinformationcanbefoundinthePlacements in Foster Care Policy,including‘MatchingandApproval’
4.6SpecialGuardianshipOrder
Thisiswherea‘SpecialGuardian’undertakestocareforachilduntiltheyreachtheageof18andbeyond.Thesearrangementsshouldhaveasupportplan.The‘SpecialGuardian’sharesparentalresponsibilityforthechildandisentitledtoexerciseparentalresponsibilitytotheexclusionofparents.Moreinformationcanbefoundinthe Special Guardianship Orders Policy.
4.7ResidentialCare
Residentialcareoffersstabilityforaminorityofolderyoungpeoplewhostruggle(ordonotwish)toliveinafamilysetting,thesesettingsprovidetherightenvironmenttomeettheirneedsanddevelopthenecessaryskillsforsemi-independent/independentliving.Somechildrenwithsignificanthealthneedsandchildrenwithdisabilitiesrequireresidentialcaretomeettheirneeds.
Itisalsoimportanttothinkabouttheneedsofolderchildrenandyoungpeopleinrelationtoachievingpermanenceintheirlives.Theymaynotbeabletolivewithbirthparentsforavarietyofreasonsnorwishtobeinafosterhomeandthismaynotmeettheirneeds.Livinginresidentialcarecanbesomewhereforsomechildrentoachieveasenseofsecurityandbelonging.Thecareplanningprocessmustalsoidentifyadultssuchaswiderfamilyandfriendsorotherconnectedpeoplewhocanprovideemotionalsupportandalong-termtrustingrelationshipwhichwillprovidecontinuingsupport,particularlyduringperiodsoftransition.Goodqualityworkwithfamiliescanhelptheyoungpersonbuildbridgesbacktohis/herparentsorotherfamilymemberswhomaybeabletoprovidethatsupporteventhoughitisnotpossiblefortheyoungpersontolivewiththem.
MoreinformationcanbefoundinthePlacement in Residential Care Policy.
https://boltonchildcare.proceduresonline.com/chapters/p_special_guard_order.htmlhttps://boltonchildcare.proceduresonline.com/chapters/p_special_guard_order.htmlhttps://boltonchildcare.proceduresonline.com/chapters/p_place_connected_pers.html?zoom_highlight=connectedhttps://boltonchildcare.proceduresonline.com/chapters/p_place_connected_pers.html?zoom_highlight=connectedhttps://boltonchildcare.proceduresonline.com/chapters/p_place_adop.html?zoom_highlight=adoptionhttps://boltonchildcare.proceduresonline.com/chapters/p_place_adop.html?zoom_highlight=adoptionhttps://boltonchildcare.proceduresonline.com/chapters/p_fost_for_adopt.htmlhttps://boltonchildcare.proceduresonline.com/chapters/p_fost_for_adopt.htmlhttps://boltonchildcare.proceduresonline.com/chapters/p_place_fost_care.htmlhttps://boltonchildcare.proceduresonline.com/chapters/p_place_fost_care.htmlhttps://boltonchildcare.proceduresonline.com/chapters/p_special_guard_order.htmlhttps://boltonchildcare.proceduresonline.com/chapters/p_place_resi_care.htmlhttps://boltonchildcare.proceduresonline.com/chapters/p_place_resi_care.html
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When there is delay to Permanence being achieved5.
When there is delay to permanence being achieved for a child or young person the Social Worker is to convene a ‘Care Planning Meeting’ to coordinate with the multiagency and family what actions are required under the child or young person’s care plan towards achieving permanence.
ThePlanshouldbeSMART(Specific,Measurable,Achievable,RelevantandTimely)andincludetheviewsofthechildoryoungpersonconcerned.
Whenachild’scasemeetsthefollowingcriteria,theircasewillberequiredtobepresentedtothepermanenceelementofthe‘GatewayandPermanencyPanel’.
TheGatewayandPermanencePanelGuidancewillbeavailableontheBoltonChildren’sSocialCareProceduresManual.
This criterion is:
a. Thechildissubjecttocourtproceedingsandpermanenceisnotexpectedtobeachievedwithinthe26-weekcourttimescale.
b. Thechildhashadmorethanthreemovesin12months
c. Therearedifficultiessecuringasuitablepermanenceplanforthechild
d. Thechildisinresidentialcare
e. JointortripartitefundingfromHealth,EducationandSocialCaremayberequiredifthechildhascomplexneeds
f. Thechild’scasewaspreviouslypresented totheGatewayandPermanencePanelandis
returningforreview
The role of the IRO6.The role of the IRO will be to consider, monitor, and review each individual child’s care planning including:
» Thelegalstatusandappropriatenessofthis» Childrenwhohavehadmorethanthreeplacement
moveswithinayear» PermanencePlansareinplacebythesecond
statutoryreview» TheappropriatenessoftheoverallCarePlan» Placementdisruption
Whereconcernsariseintermsofdriftinpermanenceplanningforthechild,theIROwillraisethisthroughtheescalationprocess.
The ‘Child’s Life Story’ 7.All children looked after by Bolton Staying Safe Division should benefit from good quality ‘Life Story Work’ (LSW).
Childrenrequireaccurateknowledgeabouttheirpastandtheirbirthfamilytodevelopasecureunderstandingofwhotheyareinordertoinformasecureidentityandsenseofself.LSWcantakeanumberofdifferentformsrangingfromapractitionerpreparinga‘LifeStoryBook’forachild,to‘LifeStoryWork’whereapractitionerworksalongsidethechildtohelpthemunderstandtheirlifeexperiences.
EachapproachhasavalidapplicationandpractitionerswillestablishwhichapproachismostappropriatefortheindividualchildoryoungpersongiventheircircumstancesandfollowingBolton’s Life Story Work and Life Story Book Policy.Childrenhavetherighttobewellpreparedforanypermanentchangeintheirlife.Directworktailoredtotheirspecificneedsshouldbeundertakenbeforejoininganewfamily.Transitionwork,appropriatetothechild’sdevelopmentalstage,shouldbeundertakenandrecorded.
Foradoptionplacementseverychildshouldhavea‘LifeStoryBook’includingclearinformationabouttheirbirthandlifebeforetheywereadoptedinaccordancetothispolicy.
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https://boltonchildcare.proceduresonline.com/chapters/g_life_story_book.html?zoom_highlight=life+storyhttps://boltonchildcare.proceduresonline.com/chapters/g_life_story_book.html?zoom_highlight=life+story
Bolton’s pledge to children and young people who are looked after 8.
The pledge is a set of promises made by Bolton Council and partners to all children in care and care leavers.
ThepledgehasbeenwrittenwithBolton’sVoice4UChildreninCareCouncil.Thepledgeensuresthatthecouncilandpartnerswilldotheirbesttosupportchildrenandyoungpeople.Thepledgeincludesanumberofactionsthatwewilldotoensurethatallchildrenandyoungpeople’stimeincareinBoltonisapositiveexperience.
Advocacy services for children and young people in Bolton 9.
Action for Children, Children’s Rights and Advocacy Service is commissioned by Bolton Council to provide independent support for children and young people aged 7 to 18 years, to ensure their voice is heard in decision making processes which affect their lives.
Theserviceworkswithchildrenandyoungpeoplewholivein,orareplacedoutof,Bolton.ItisimportantthatchildrenandyoungpeopleinBoltonaresupportedtoaccessadvocacyservicesifthiswillbebeneficialforthem. Guidance of how to refer a child or young person to Action for Children for this servicecanbefoundontheBoltonCouncilwebsite.
Securing enough accommodation for Looked After Children and Care Leavers in Bolton10.
ForchildrenandyoungpeoplewhosePermanencePlanisforthemtoremainlookedafter,Bolton’sLACSufficiencyStatement2018-2020setsouthowBoltonCouncilarecommittedtoachievingplacementsufficiencyforourchildrenwhorequireprovisionsuchasfostercare,residentialandsupportedaccommodation.
BoltonCounciliscommittedtocommissioninghighqualityserviceswhichareoutcomefocused,delivervalueformoneyandprepareyoungpeopleforadulthood.
15
https://www.bolton.gov.uk/community-advice-grants/advocacy-services?documentId=139&categoryId=20044https://www.bolton.gov.uk/community-advice-grants/advocacy-services?documentId=139&categoryId=20044
How will we measure the impact of Permanence Planning in Bolton?11.
Bolton has a continuous commitment to achieving permanence for every child, through tracking permanence, measuring impact for the child and this informing Service and Resource development.
11.1The‘TrackingPermanenceModel’representsthisprocess:
11.2TrackingPermanence(forallLookedAfterChildrenlinkedtolifetimecosting)
The‘PermanenceTracker’isanexcelspreadsheetwhichcontainsthedetailsofeverylookedafterchild,theirPermanencePlanandthecosttotheLocalAuthorityoftheircare.
Thepurposeofthetrackeristomonitorwhetherpermanenceisachievedinatimelywayforeverychild,andsothatthefinancialimplicationtotheLocalAuthorityofthechild’splanisunderstoodandinformsresourceallocationanddevelopmentbasedontheneedsofBolton’schildrenandyoungpeople.
Thetrackersupportsthecollaborationbetweenprofessionalstowardstheaimofachievingpermanencewithafocusondevelopmentofpracticeforchildrenwherepermanencehasnotyetbeenachieved.
400
500
600
700
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019Year End Year End Year End Year End Year End Year End Year End Year End Year End Year End Year End
436
481
521 517539 530
572 561579
615647
Practice and Resource Development
Measuring impact for a
child
TrackingPermanence
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11.3Measuringimpactforthechild
Annual Report - In order to measure the impact of Permanence Planning in Bolton, the following indicators will be used to report annually and will be linked to the other annual reports produced by Bolton:
» Anincreaseinthenumberofchildrensupportedtostayathomeorwithfamilyandconnectedcarers
» Numberofchildrenrehabilitatedtothecareoftheirparents
» Numberofchildrenwhosecareordersaredischargedduetolivingwithparentsortransfertoalesserordersuchassupervisionorderand/orspecialguardianshiporder
» Numberofchildrenmatchedinlongtermfostercarer
» Anincreaseinplacementstability–decreaseinthenumberofchildrenchangingplacementsthreeormoretimeseachyear(fewerplacementdisruptions)
» Anincreaseinthenumberofsiblingsplacedtogether
» Reductionincasessteppinguptochildrensocialcare
Quarterly report - will be provided in respect of the Children Looked After population in Bolton:
» ThenumberofChildrenLookedAfterinBolton
» Thenumberofchildrencurrentlyresidingineachplacementtype
» TheidentifiedPermanencePlanforeachchild
» TheprogressbeingmadetowardsthePermanencePlanforeachchild
11.4Practiceandresourcedevelopment
Theinformationgatheredfromthesereportswillthenbeanalysed;thiswillindicatewheredevelopmentisrequiredinordertoachievepermanenceforeverychild.Thisanalysiswillfocusonchildren’scircumstancesandwillinformthedevelopmentofpractice,servicedeliveryandresourceallocationtowardsachievingpermanenceforeverychild:
The analysis of the impact of permanence planning in Bolton in March 2019 identified key areas for priority:
1. Developmentofservicesforfamilieswhereistheplanforchildrentoberehabilitatedbacktothecareofparents
2.DevelopmentofresourceallocationforchildrenwhocontinuetorequiresupportregardingcontactwithfamilymembershowevertheplanisfortheCareOrdertobedischarged(asthresholdforthislevelorderisnolongermet)
3. DevelopmentofthesupportofferforchildrensubjecttoSpecialGuardianshipOrderwhorequirethis
4. Developmentofinternalcareplanningprocessestostrengthenthemulti-agencySMARTapproachtopermanenceplanning
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Appendix A- Achieving PermanenceEarly Help, targeted support, Children in Need and Children subject of Child Protection Plans - support and intervention towards permanence being achieved at home. Genogram to be completed
to understand family relationships and dynamics
LegalPlanningCommenceswhentherelevantHeadofServicedeterminesthatthethresholdofsignificantharmismetand
protectionisrequiredbylegalinterventionoftheLocalAuthority
CareProceedingsinitiated
Child is due to or has become looked after:PlanforchildtobecomeCLAissueforproceedingshasbeenagreed
IdentifiedasatriskofCLAduringPLOprocessRequestforaccommodationundersection20TCA1989
Childisedgeofcareandatriskofbecominglookedafterorhasbecomelookedafterinanemergancy
Gateway and Permanence PanelCasesmayreturntoPanelifthereisdelaytoPermanencebeingachieved
Childs first Statutory review Within20workingdaysofbecominglookedafter
Permanence Planning Meeting(seeguidance)ConfirmPermanencyPlanpriortochild’s2ndStatutoryreview
Childremains/returnshome–stepdownfromPLO,
progressmadeasCiN/CP
Family Group Conference at the earliest
opportunity when it is identified a child is at
risk of becoming looked afterMulti-track
planning to take place for the child from the earliest opportunity until the permanence
plan is clear
Return to parentsFamilyGroup
ConferencetotakeplacepriortoreturnAssessmentunder
reunificationguidance,identifyappropriatelevelofsupport
Placement with connected persons
Undersuitablearrangement:ChildarrangementsorderSpecialGuardianship
OrderLongtermfosteringwithaviewtoSGOSupportunder
supervisionorderalongsideSGOmay
berequiredSeerelevantpolicy
Familygroupconferencetotakeplace
AdoptionFollowadoption
process/flowchartMulti-trackplanning
requiredwhenadoptionidentifiedascontingencyplan
forchildChildmaybeplacedinaFostertoadopt
orconcurrentplacement
Long term Foster Care
Priortoplacement,duringplacement
planningmeetingandcareplanningmeetingstodiscusspossibilityofmatchinglongtermandactionrequired
towardsthis.CarePlanningMeetingpriorto3rdstatutoryreviewtoconfirmplacementtobe
matchedlongtermFollowmatchinglong-termpolicyforfoster
placementsPlacementmay
progresstoSGO–seepolicy
Residential Childscasetobe
reviewedbyGatewayandPermanencePanel
C&Frequiredtodetermineifresidential
isthelong-termpermanenceplanforthechild–tobeendorsedbyADatGatewayandPermanencePanel
Rehabilitation home to parents or family may be assessed at any point if deemed
appropriate (seereunification
guidance)
PLOPre-proceedingscommences
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References» HMGovernment(2018)‘Working together to Safeguard Children’ » HMGovernment(2014)‘The Children and Families Act’» DepartmentforEducation(2015)‘The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement
and Case Review Care Planning, (England) Regulations’» DepartmentofHealth(2000)‘Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families’» SchofieldG,BeekMandWardE(2012)‘PartoftheFamily:Planningforpermanenceinlong-termfamilyfostercare’,Childrenand
YouthServicesReview,34(1)244-253» SinclairI,BakerC,LeeJandGibbsI(2007)‘ThePursuitofPermanence:AstudyoftheEnglishchildcaresystem’JessicaKingsley
Publishers
Appendix B - Permanence options for children of different ages ThetablebelowistounderstandPermanencePlanningfordifferentagesofchildrenandyoungpeoplewhenrelativesareandarenotavailable.Intheeventthechildcannotremainorreturntobirthparents.
This guidance should be used as a guide only to support your judgment, decision and planning. Thetablebelowmaybeofusetounderstandpermanenceplanningfordifferentagesofchildrenandyoungpeoplewhenrelativesareandarenotavailable.
Age under 7 years Age 7 to 10 years Age 11 to 15 years Age 16+
Kinshipcarearrangementsareavailable
NoKinshipcarearrangementsavailable
Kinshipcarearrangementsareavailable
NoKinshipcarearrangementsavailable
Kinshipcarearrangementsareavailable
NoKinshipcarearrangementsavailable
PermanencePlandeterminedwithyoungpersonthroughAssessmentofneedandPathwayPlan
PermanencePlanincludesMulti-trackplanninguntilitisclearthatareturntobirthfamilyisnotpossibleandaclearplanofpermanenceisidentifiedasachievable
Family Group Conference to be offered
SpecialGuardianshipOrder
ChildArrangementOrder
CareOrder–possibilityofmovetoSGO/RO
FormalApprovedKinshipFosterCare
Wherethechildis0-3years,ifattheendofthelegalprocessthecarerisnotabletoconsiderSGO/ROthentheadoptionroutemustbefollowed
Family Group Conference to be offered
SpecialGuardianshipOrder
ChildArrangementOrder
CareOrder–possibilityofmovetoSGO/RO
FormalApprovedKinshipFosterCare
Family Group Conference to be offered
SpecialGuardianshipOrder
ChildArrangementOrder
CareOrder–possibilityofmovetoSGO/RO
FormalApprovedKinshipFosterCare
Adoption
LongTermFostering(needsHeadofServiceapprovalifchildisunderfive)
Adoption
LongTermFostering
SpecialGuardianship(withexistingfostercarer)
LongTermFostering
SpecialGuardianshipwithexistingfostercarer
Returntobirthfamily
Kinshipplacement
LongtermFostering(stayingput)
Semi-independentprovision
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https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/779401/Working_Together_to_Safeguard-Children.pdfhttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2014/6/contents/enactedhttps://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/441643/Children_Act_Guidance_2015.pdfhttps://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/441643/Children_Act_Guidance_2015.pdfhttps://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130404002518/https:/www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrderingDownload/Framework for the assessment of children in need and their families.pdf
» Find Children’s Social Care Procedures in the Manual www.bolton.gov.uk/cscpp
http://www.bolton.gov.uk/cscpp