Skip to content
Company Logo

Getting Started with this Procedures Manual

This manual contains all of our key policies and procedures, listed in ‘Contents’ on the top of the screen.

When you have read this guide, start by familiarising yourself with the Contents List and the Procedures listed under each section.

You will see that our key policy statements are in Residential Child Care – Key Principles; the other sections primarily contain procedures and/or guidance.

If you are unable to find a Procedure you require, consult your manager or use the search function on the top of the screen.

This manual was updated in February 2024.

Click here to view details of updates made to this manual.

The next update for this manual will be in August 2024.

We have used the following terms and post titles:

Home

This is a generic term which means Children's Home.

'Child' or 'Young Person'

Both of these terms are used to mean any child under the age of 18.

Home's or Registered Manager

This is the registered manager for the home, sometimes the term 'Manager' is used.

Line Manager

This is used to denote the first line manager for the home; the person who supervises the Home's Manager.

Staff or Carer

Means all Staff and Carers whether employed or not.

Key Worker or Link Worker

Members of staff that have special responsibility for children in the home.

Parent

Means person with Parent or person with Parental Responsibility.

Social Worker

This means the worker allocated to the child/family. If there is no allocated worker, the Duty Social Worker or Team Manager is responsible.

Placing Authority

Placing Authority means the local authority/agency responsible for placing the child or commissioning the service (usually Children's Services - see below).

Placement Plan

The term 'Placement Plan' is the generic term meaning the home's own plan for the child/young person. The term 'Placement Information Record' is an Integrated Children's Service (ICS) record, generated by the Placing Authority.

There is a large online glossary (Keywords) of terms used throughout the manual and an online resource for National Contacts which is designed to help you find the contact details for key national agencies and organisations. You will find a link to this free resource on the home page.

Regulatory Compliance

Every effort has been taken to ensure regulatory compliance. If you discover any errors or mistakes, please alert your Supervising Social Worker.

If you have any comments or suggestions to make about this Procedures Manual please consult your Line Manager.

We recommend that you register with us to automatically receive notification when this manual is updated, and to receive a monthly newsletter containing articles which may be of interest. Click on the 'Register for Updates' button on the home screen, to complete and send your details to us.

We will manage your data respectfully and in accordance with your preferences and we will never share your data with other organisations for marketing or other purposes.

The content of this website can be accessed, printed and downloaded in an unaltered form, on a temporary basis, for personal study or reference purposes. However any content printed or downloaded may not be sold, licensed, transferred, copied or reproduced in whole or in part in any manner or in or on any media to any person without the prior written consent of tri.x.

The Procedures Manual should normally be viewed on line but can be printed, for reference only, via the printing options of your internet browser (usually by clicking File from the top menu, and then selecting Print, or using the keyboard shortcut 'ctrl + p').

Please note, the Procedures Manual will be updated from time to time, so you should avoid retaining printed versions - hard copies are only valid for 72 hours.

Last Updated: February 20, 2024

v27