Amendments

This chapter was revised in February 2026. The Government guidance ‘Report the death or serious harm of a child or care leaver’ was updated to provide what information is needed when reporting incidents involving children who have died or been seriously harmed, and abuse or neglect is known or suspected, looked after children and care leavers. The Serious Incident Notification Guide for local authorities was also added to this chapter.

This chapter was updated in February 2026 to include information from the Ministry of Justice Youth Remand Concordat. It was also updated to include information from the Youth Justice Charter: Know Your Rights in the Youth Justice System. The Youth Justice Charter sets out what children can expect at each stage of the youth justice system, helping them understand who is responsible, their rights, and what to do if standards are not met.

This chapter was revised in February 2026.

In February 2026, Section 8.6, Where the Advice from the Guardian and the Local Authority assessment are fundamentally different in relation to the safety and best interests of a child was added to the chapter in line with practice guidance issued jointly by Cafcass and the ADCS.

This chapter was extensively revised and updated in February 2026.

In February 2026, this chapter was updated to reflect guidance from the Youth Remand Concordat, which sets out principles for Local Authorities and key agencies on working with children through the remand process. It has also been updated with information from the Youth Justice Charter - Know Your Rights in the Youth Justice System. The Youth Justice Charter sets out what children can expect at each stage of the youth justice system, helping them understand who is responsible, their rights, and what to do if standards are not met.

This chapter was updated in February 2026 to include information on Restraint and restrictive practices: positive environments for children – Ofsted: social care.

In February 2026, information was added to Section 6.3, Placement before a Special Guardianship Order (SGO) is Granted, to highlight that the DfE has extended the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund, initially until March 2027, with a new fair access limit of £3000.

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.