Amendments

In August 2025 links have been added to Youth Remand Concordat - Guidance and principles to follow a joint approach throughout the youth remand process for local and national partners and Delivering the best for girls in custody - an independent review into placements and care for girls in the Children and Young People Secure Estate.

In August 2025, the related guidance on Permanency Planning was added to this chapter.

In August 2025, in Section 2.1, Additional Considerations Where a Child Has Multiple Needs, information was added about how to access pre-application advice on caring for children with complex needs (Ofsted) If you are thinking about opening a children’s social care service for children with complex needs.

In August 2025, information was added to section 1 from Good decisions: supporting children aged 16 and 17 who need help when they are homeless - GOV.UK and a section was added around Domestic Abuse and Homelessness.

In August 2025, information was added from How Local Authorities Can Help Young Carers (Ofsted Blog) and additional resources were added to Further Information.

This chapter was updated in August 2025 to reflect Granting Leaves of Absence in Working Together to Improve School Attendance statutory guidance, which states that generally, the DfE does not consider a need or desire for a holiday or other absence for the purpose of leisure and recreation to be an exceptional circumstance for leave of absence.

In August 2025, the related guidance on permanency planning was added to this chapter.

This chapter was revised in August 2025 to include information from the Criminal Injuries Compensation: A Guide.

August 2025 this chapter was revised in line with updated government guidance.

This policy was updated in August 2025 when the financial rates were updated.