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Contents
For Procedures relating to Child Protection (e.g. Referrals, S47, Child Protection Conferences, Safeguarding Guidance) and East of England Joint Protocol on Children Subject to Child Protection Plan Moving Between Local Authority Boundaries, please see the Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership Procedures.
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1.Policy, Strategy and Principles
2.Case Management and Recording
3.Children in Need and Safeguarding
4.Children in Particular Circumstances
6.Specialist Adolescent Services Hertfordshire (SASH)
7.Children Looked After and Care Leavers
11.Finances
12.Hertfordshire Joint Housing Needs Protocol
13.Hertfordshire Children's Homes
14.Appendices
1.Policy, Strategy and Principles
- 1.0.1Children’s Services Policies, Strategy and PrinciplesMay 20, 2025
- 1.0.2The Hertfordshire Policy Statement on the Education of Children Looked AfterFebruary 18, 2025
- 1.0.3Equality and DiversityUnder Review
- 1.0.4Ofsted and Need to Know NotificationsFebruary 18, 2025
- 1.0.5Scheme of Delegation to OfficersFebruary 18, 2025
- 1.0.6Complaints and RepresentationsFebruary 18, 2025
- 1.0.7WhistleblowingUpdatedMay 20, 2025
- 1.0.8Social Media PolicyFebruary 18, 2025
- 1.0.9Hertfordshire Outcome Framework for Children, Young People and FamiliesFebruary 18, 2025
- 1.0.10Capacity and ConsentMay 21, 2024
- 1.0.11Mental Capacity ActFebruary 18, 2025
2.Case Management and Recording
- 2.0.1Children/Young People and Families Record-KeepingUpdatedMay 20, 2025
- 2.0.2Access to RecordsUnder Review
- 2.0.3Case Retention and Destruction of RecordsFebruary 18, 2025
- 2.0.4Liquidlogic Children's System Livelink GuidanceFebruary 18, 2025
- 2.0.5Professional SupervisionFebruary 18, 2025
- 2.0.6Personal Safety and Lone Working GuidanceUnder Review
- 2.0.7Management Reviews: Single Agency, Multi-Agency and ExternalUnder Review
- 2.0.8Children's Practitioners Case AllocationUnder Review
- 2.0.9Student Social Workers Case AllocationFebruary 18, 2025
- 2.0.10Managing Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) Information and MinutesUnder Review
- 2.0.11Managing Incoming Correspondence for Client Files (Open and Closed)UpdatedMay 20, 2025
- 2.0.12Guidance for Parents and Carers - Recording MeetingsFebruary 18, 2025
- 2.0.13Case Escalation ProcessUnder Review
- 2.0.14Case Allocation Escalation Resolution Process Between TeamsUnder Review
- 2.0.15Step Up/Step Down Process and Transfer Protocol - Practitioner GuidanceFebruary 18, 2025
- 2.0.16Children’s Services Safeguarding Out of Hours Service (CS SOOHS) InvolvementUpdatedMay 20, 2025
- 2.0.17The Voice of the Child and FamilyUnder Review
- 2.0.18Audit Escalation PolicyFebruary 18, 2025
- 2.0.19Children’s Services PanelsUpdatedMay 20, 2025
3.1Referrals and Assessments
- 3.1.1Continuum of NeedMay 20, 2025
- 3.1.2Families First and Early HelpFebruary 18, 2025
- 3.1.3Contacts and ReferralsFebruary 18, 2025
- 3.1.4Child and Family AssessmentsUnder Review
- 3.1.5Chronologies and Historical InformationFebruary 18, 2025
- 3.1.6Consent to Information SharingFebruary 18, 2025
- 3.1.7Hertfordshire Family Safeguarding Service: Guide to Information SharingFebruary 18, 2025
- 3.1.8Family Safeguarding LCS WorkbookFebruary 18, 2025
- 3.1.9Processing Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) TasksFebruary 18, 2025
- 3.1.10Early Intervention: Policy and Provision (House of Commons Library)
3.2Child in Need Planning and Review
- 3.2.1Hertfordshire Multi-Agency Children in Need Protocol and ProceduresFebruary 18, 2025
- 3.2.2Written Communication with Children and Young PeopleFebruary 18, 2025
- 3.2.3Direct Work with Children & Young PeopleFebruary 18, 2025
- 3.2.4Independent Chair – Child In Need (IC-CIN)February 18, 2025
3.3Support to Families
- 3.3.1Section 17 and Financial Support for Children and FamiliesUnder Review
- 3.3.2Family Group ConferencesUpdatedMay 20, 2025
3.4Court Proceedings
- 3.4.1Court ProceedingsFebruary 18, 2025
- 3.4.2Applications for Emergency Protection OrdersFebruary 19, 2025
- 3.4.3Public Law OutlineUnder Review
- 3.4.4Legal Planning MeetingsMay 20, 2025
- 3.4.5Private Law Applications (including Section 7 and Section 37 Reports)February 18, 2025
- 3.4.6Summary of OrdersFebruary 18, 2025
- 3.4.7AppealsFebruary 18, 2025
- 3.4.8Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention AccommodationFebruary 21, 2025
- 3.4.9Parents Travel Costs Relating to Court ProceedingsFebruary 18, 2025
- 3.4.10East of England Joint Protocol on Supervision OrdersUnder Review
- 3.4.11Child Arrangements OrdersUpdatedMay 20, 2025
- 3.4.12Family Assistance OrderUnder Review
3.5Safeguarding
- 3.5.1Death or Serious Injury to a ChildUnder Review
- 3.5.2CS0541PGN Need to Know Notifications and Death or Serious Injury to a ChildFebruary 18, 2025
- 3.5.3Transporting ChildrenUnder Review
- 3.5.4International Cross Border Child Protection CasesFebruary 18, 2025
4.Children in Particular Circumstances
- 4.0.1Young CarersFebruary 19, 2025
- 4.0.2Separated Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern SlaveryUpdatedMay 20, 2025
- 4.0.3Age AssessmentUnder Review
- 4.0.4Young People with Mental Health DifficultiesUnder Review
- 4.0.5Homeless 16 and 17 Year OldsFebruary 18, 2025
- 4.0.6Families with No Recourse to Public FundsFebruary 19, 2025
- 4.0.7Withdrawal of UK Visas and Immigration Support for Asylum Seekers with FamiliesUnder Review
- 4.0.8Children and Young People Who Go Missing from Home or Care, or Who are Vulnerable to Sexual ExploitationFebruary 18, 2025
- 4.0.9Appropriate Language: Child Sexual and/or Criminal Exploitation Guidance for ProfessionalsFebruary 18, 2025
- 4.0.10Children Missing from EducationUnder Review
- 4.0.11Hertfordshire's Strategy to Prevent Child Sexual ExploitationFebruary 18, 2025
- 4.0.12Suicidal Thoughts and BehavioursFebruary 18, 2025
- 4.0.13The Prevent GuidanceFebruary 18, 2025
- 4.0.14Gender IdentityUpdatedMay 20, 2025
- 4.0.15Deprivations of LibertyFebruary 18, 2025
5.0-25 Together Service
- 5.0.10-25 Together ServiceUpdatedMay 20, 2025
- 5.0.2Carer's AssessmentFebruary 18, 2025
- 5.0.3Direct Payments for Disabled ChildrenUnder Review
- 5.0.4Short BreaksUnder Review
- 5.0.5Handling an Incident in 0-25 Together Service - Joint Policy with ACSFebruary 18, 2025
- 5.0.6Need to Know Notifications for 0-25 Together ServiceFebruary 18, 2025
- 5.0.7Family Safeguarding and 0-25 Together Services Guidance on Support HoursFebruary 18, 2025
- 5.0.8Children and Young People’s Continuing Care National FrameworkMay 21, 2024
7.1Planning
- 7.1.1Authorisation for a Child to be Looked After and Funding Agreements Outside East and West Practice and Resources PanelFebruary 18, 2025
- 7.1.2Decision to Look After and Initial Care PlanningMay 20, 2025
- 7.1.3Care Planning GuidanceFebruary 21, 2025
- 7.1.4Planning PlacementsMay 20, 2025
- 7.1.5Permanence Planning, Placement Strategy and GuidanceUpdatedMay 20, 2025
- 7.1.6Placement Planning and Disruption MeetingsFebruary 19, 2025
- 7.1.7Placement EndingsFebruary 18, 2025
- 7.1.8Requests to Remove a Child/Young Person from CareFebruary 18, 2025
- 7.1.9The Sufficiency Duty in Relation to Accommodation for Children/Young PeopleUpdatedMay 20, 2025
- 7.1.10Ceasing to Look After a Child/Young Person under Section 20September 19, 2023
7.2Placements
- 7.2.1Placement of Children Looked AfterSeptember 19, 2023
- 7.2.2Placement of Children Looked After in Supported LodgingsUnder Review
- 7.2.3Placements in Secure AccommodationSeptember 19, 2023
- 7.2.4Placement with Parents or Person who has, or has held Parental Responsibility Immediately Prior to Making of a Care Order or Interim Care OrderFebruary 18, 2025
- 7.2.5Children Placed with Parents for AssessmentUnder Review
- 7.2.6Placement Outside HertfordshireFebruary 19, 2025
- 7.2.7Placement of Children Looked After and Care Leavers Aged 16 and 17 in Semi-Independent PlacementsFebruary 18, 2025
- 7.2.8Semi-Independent Placement - 'Other Arrangements' Service Standards and Expectations of Semi-Independent - Supported Accommodation Providers (Contract Requirements and Inspection Requirements)Under Review
- 7.2.9Children Placed in Hertfordshire - Notifications by Other Local Authorities/Placement ProvidersUnder Review
- 7.2.10Placements Outside England and WalesFebruary 19, 2025
- 7.2.11Police Information Checks When Making Care Arrangements for Children with Friends/Family in an EmergencyFebruary 18, 2025
- 7.2.12Police Protection GuidanceUnder Review
- 7.2.13Placements in Other ArrangementsSeptember 19, 2023
- 7.2.14Placements in Residential CareFebruary 18, 2025
- 7.2.15Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential SettingsUpdatedMay 20, 2025
7.3Monitoring Placements
- 7.3.1Statutory Visits to Children/Young People Looked AfterFebruary 21, 2025
- 7.3.2Independent VisitorsUnder Review
- 7.3.3Advocacy for Children and Young People Making a ComplaintUnder Review
- 7.3.4Reward Policy for Children in Care Council (CHICC) and Children Looked After Undertaking Consultation WorkUnder Review
7.4Reviews
- 7.4.1Looked After ReviewsUpdatedMay 20, 2025
- 7.4.2Looked After Review Timetable MatrixUnder Review
- 7.4.3Secure Accommodation (Criteria) ReviewsUnder Review
- 7.4.4Local Authority Responsibilities in the Appointment of IROs and Establishment of an Effective IRO ServiceFebruary 18, 2025
7.5Contact with Family and Friends (Including Overnight Stays)
- 7.5.1Contact with Parents, Family and FriendsFebruary 19, 2025
- 7.5.2Supervised Contact and the Hertfordshire Contact ServiceUnder Review
- 7.5.3Overnight Stays Away from the Placement or Other Staying Contact or Care ArrangementsFebruary 21, 2025
- 7.5.4Weekend Contact VisitsUnder Review
7.6Education, Leisure, Holidays and School Trips
- 7.6.1Education of Children Looked AfterUpdatedUnder Review
- 7.6.2Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UKFebruary 19, 2025
- 7.6.3Financial Allowances Policy for Children Looked After Placed in Residential (Special) SchoolsFebruary 18, 2025
- 7.6.4Holidays with Parents, Other Family and Friends (Including 16 Plus Travel)February 18, 2025
- 7.6.5Leisure ActivitiesFebruary 19, 2025
- 7.6.6Mobile Phones for Children in CareNewTo Follow
7.7Health and Wellbeing
- 7.7.1Health Care Assessments, Health Checks and Health Care PlansFebruary 21, 2025
- 7.7.2Consent to Medical Examination and TreatmentFebruary 18, 2025
- 7.7.3GPs, Dentists and OpticiansFebruary 18, 2025
- 7.7.4Blood Borne Viruses - Guidance for the Protection of Looked After ChildrenUnder Review
7.8Leaving Care
- 7.8.1Care Leavers and Transition to AdulthoodUpdatedMay 20, 2025
- 7.8.2Staying Put PolicyUpdatedMay 20, 2025
- 7.8.3Staying Put - Living Together AgreementFebruary 18, 2025
- 7.8.4Staying CloseFebruary 18, 2025
- 7.8.5Transition to Adulthood (Leaving Care) Finance Policy and GuidanceUnder Review
- 7.8.6Housing for Children Looked After and Care LeaversFebruary 18, 2025
- 7.8.7'Capacity' and Financial Arrangements for Children Looked After and Care Leavers Aged 16 & 17February 18, 2025
7.9Children Involved in the Youth Justice System
- 7.9.1Children Looked After in Contact with Youth Justice ServicesFebruary 20, 2025
- 7.9.2Former Children Looked After in DetentionUnder Review
- 7.9.3Child Looked After - Remands and Custodial Sentences up to age of 16Under Review
- 7.9.4Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National GuidanceUpdatedUnder Review
7.10Miscellaneous
- 7.10.1Criminal Injuries CompensationFebruary 19, 2025
- 7.10.2Birth CertificatesUnder Review
- 7.10.3Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Looked After ChildNovember 28, 2023
- 7.10.4Children Looked After and Social NetworkingUnder Review
- 7.10.5Memory Boxes and Personal History Document Boxes for Children Looked AfterUnder Review
- 7.10.6EU Settlement Scheme: Looked-after Children and Care Leavers GuidanceFebruary 18, 2025
7.11Children Looked After Personal Finances
- 7.11.1Children Looked After Finances FrameworkFebruary 18, 2025
8.1Introduction, Purpose, Overview and Panel
- 8.1.1Fostering - Introduction, Purpose and OverviewFebruary 19, 2025
- 8.1.2Fostering PanelFebruary 20, 2025
- 8.1.3Link to all Fostering Forms and LettersFebruary 19, 2025
8.2Private Fostering
- 8.2.1Private FosteringFebruary 21, 2025
8.3Assessment and Approval of Foster Carers
- 8.3.1Criteria for Foster CarersFebruary 19, 2025
- 8.3.2Assessment and Approvals of Foster CarersUpdatedMay 20, 2025
- 8.3.3Employees of Hertfordshire County Council Acting as Foster CarersFebruary 19, 2025
- 8.3.4Change in Composition of Foster Carer Households (including New Partners)February 19, 2025
- 8.3.5Disclosure and Barring Checks and Persons Disqualified from FosteringFebruary 19, 2025
8.4Support and Supervision of Foster Carers
- 8.4.1Support and Supervision of Foster CarersUpdatedMay 20, 2025
- 8.4.2Allowances and Payments in Fostering – Monitoring and AuditingUpdatedMay 20, 2025
- 8.4.3Support for Foster Carers Placed 'On Hold'February 19, 2025
- 8.4.4Delegated Authority to Foster CarersFebruary 19, 2025
- 8.4.5Fostering Support and Fostering Support MeetingsMay 20, 2025
- 8.4.6Hertfordshire mockingbird procedureUpdatedMay 20, 2025
- 8.4.7Training and Development of Foster CarersUpdatedMay 20, 2025
- 8.4.8Health and SafetyUpdatedMay 20, 2025
8.5Reviews, Allegations and De-registration of Foster Carers
- 8.5.1Foster Carer ReviewsFebruary 19, 2025
- 8.5.2Termination of Approval of Foster Carers and Supported Lodgings CarersFebruary 19, 2025
- 8.5.3Managing Allegations and Quality of Care Concerns in FosteringUpdatedMay 20, 2025
- 8.5.4Independent Reviews of Hertfordshire County Council Foster CarersFebruary 19, 2025
8.6Variations and Changes
- 8.6.1Exemptions and Variations of ApprovalUpdatedMay 20, 2025
8.7Long Term Fostering
- 8.7.1Long Term FosteringUpdatedMay 20, 2025
- 8.7.2Placement Planning and Disruption MeetingsFebruary 19, 2025
8.8Kinship Care - Connected Person Carers
- 8.8.1Kinship Foster CareUpdatedMay 20, 2025
- 8.8.2Placements with Kinship Foster CarersUpdatedMay 20, 2025
- 8.8.3Support, Training and Payment to Kinship Foster CarersUpdatedMay 20, 2025
8.9Parent and Child Foster Placement
- 8.9.1Parent and Child Foster PlacementsFebruary 19, 2025
8.10Case Recording
- 8.10.1Foster Carer RecordingUpdatedMay 20, 2025
8.11Foster Care Practice Issues
- 8.11.1Safer Caring in Foster CareFebruary 19, 2025
- 8.11.2Promoting Positive BehaviourFebruary 20, 2025
9.Special Guardianship
- 9.0.1Special Guardianship Orders Policy and ProcedureUnder Review
- 9.0.2Court Reports in Special Guardianship GuidanceUnder Review
10.Adoption and Permanence
- 10.0.1Adoption Statement of PurposeFebruary 19, 2025
- 10.0.2Legal Framework and Adoption CharterFebruary 18, 2025
- 10.0.3Link to all Adoption Forms and LettersFebruary 19, 2025
- 10.0.4Adoption Strategy: Achieving Excellence Everywhere
10.1Assessment, Approval and Deregistration of Adopters and Prospective Adopters
- 10.1.1Recruitment, Assessment and Approval of Prospective AdoptersUpdatedMay 20, 2025
- 10.1.2Criteria for Prospective AdoptersFebruary 19, 2025
- 10.1.3SmokingFebruary 19, 2025
- 10.1.4ObesityFebruary 19, 2025
- 10.1.5Review of Suitability to AdoptFebruary 19, 2025
- 10.1.6Independent Review MechanismFebruary 19, 2025
- 10.1.7Hertfordshire County Council Employees Who Wish to Become Substitute Carers for Children and Young PeopleFebruary 19, 2025
- 10.1.8Fostering for AdoptionFebruary 19, 2025
- 10.1.9Adopt EastFebruary 18, 2025
10.2Adoption Panel
- 10.2.1Adoption Panel and Agency Decision Maker's DecisionFebruary 21, 2025
- 10.2.2Adoption Panel Job Descriptions and Person SpecificationsFebruary 19, 2025
- 10.2.3Practice Checklists for Adoption Panel Members and Agency Decision MakerFebruary 19, 2025
- 10.2.4The Role of the Legal AdviserFebruary 19, 2025
- 10.2.5Panel PapersFebruary 19, 2025
10.3Placement for Adoption - please note this section is under review
- 10.3.1Placement for AdoptionUnder Review
- 10.3.2Relinquished ChildrenFebruary 21, 2025
- 10.3.3Family Finding for Harder to Place ChildrenFebruary 19, 2025
- 10.3.4Children's Guide to AdoptionFebruary 19, 2025
10.4Adoption Support Services - please note this section is under review
- 10.4.1Adoption SupportFebruary 21, 2025
- 10.4.2Introduction and Legal ExpensesUnder Review
- 10.4.3Extensions, Alterations and House PurchaseUnder Review
- 10.4.4Adoption Support Team - Guidance on Support HoursUnder Review
- 10.4.5Supporting Adoptive PlacementsUnder Review
- 10.4.6Adoption ReviewsUnder Review
- 10.4.7Disruption of Adoptive and Long Term Foster PlacementsUnder Review
- 10.4.8Managing Allegations Against Adults Who Work With Children and Young PeopleFebruary 19, 2025
- 10.4.9Inter Country AdoptionUnder Review
10.5Adoption by Non Agency Adopters - please note this section is under review
- 10.5.1Non Agency AdoptionUnder Review
- 10.5.2Partner Applications for AdoptionUnder Review
- 10.5.3Adoption by Local Authority or Independent Foster Agency, Foster Carers of a Foster Child Already Placed with themUnder Review
- 10.5.4Adoption by RelativesUnder Review
- 10.5.5Adoption by Private Foster CarersUnder Review
- 10.5.6SurrogacyUnder Review
- 10.5.7Adoption Case RecordsUnder Review
- 10.5.8Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case RecordsUnder Review
- 10.5.9Intermediary ServicesUnder Review
- 10.5.10Court Reports in Adoption (Placement Orders and Adoption Orders)Under Review
10.6Birth Families - Consent and Involvement - please note this section is under review
- 10.6.1Involving and Supporting Birth Families in the Adoption ProcessUnder Review
- 10.6.2Parental Responsibility and ConsentFebruary 18, 2025
10.7Planning for Permanence in Adoption - please note this section is under review
- 10.7.1Permanence Planning, Placement Strategy and GuidanceUpdatedMay 20, 2025
- 10.7.2Post Adoption AgreementsUnder Review
- 10.7.3The Purpose of Contact in PermanenceUnder Review
10.9Adoption Practice Guidance - please note this section is under review
- 10.9.1Life Story Work with Children and Young PeopleUnder Review
- 10.9.2Life Story Books GuidanceUnder Review
- 10.9.3Later Life LettersUnder Review
- 10.9.4Ending ContactUnder Review
11.Finances
11.1Children in Need
- 11.1.1Section 17 and Financial Support for Children and FamiliesUnder Review
- 11.1.2Direct Payments for Disabled ChildrenUnder Review
- 11.1.3Family Safeguarding and 0-25 Together Service Guidance on Support Hours Brokerage FormsFebruary 18, 2025
11.2Children Looked After
- 11.2.1Children Looked After Finances Framework - access for policies, procedures, and leaflets related to Children Looked After, Care Leavers, Fostering and Children's Homes
12.Hertfordshire Joint Housing Needs Protocol
- 12.0.1Hertfordshire Joint Housing Needs ProtocolUnder Review
- 12.0.2Universal Credit Exemptions Leaflet and Universal Credit Exemption LetterFebruary 18, 2025
- 12.0.3Leaflet - Information Regarding Housing Authorities duties for Families with Children at Risk of HomelessnessFebruary 18, 2025
- 12.0.4Information Regarding Children's Services for Families with Children at Risk of HomelessnessFebruary 18, 2025
14.Appendices
- 14.0.1Polices, Procedures, Forms and LeafletsUnder Review
- 14.0.2Local KeywordsFebruary 19, 2025
- 14.0.3Working Together to Safeguard Children
- 14.0.4NICE - When to suspect child maltreatment
- 14.0.5National Minimum Standards
- 14.0.6Amendments
Last Updated: May 20, 2025
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