Contents

1.All Children

1.1Policy, Values and Principles

1. 1.1.1Children's Services Policies, Values and Principles March 27, 2025
2. 1.1.2Children's Consultation and ParticipationMarch 27, 2025
3. 1.1.3Confidentiality PolicyMay 21, 2024
4. 1.1.4Consultation PolicyMarch 27, 2025
5. 1.1.5Operational Childrens Services Supervision PolicyMarch 27, 2025
6. 1.1.6Capacity and ConsentFebruary 3, 2026
7. 1.1.7Equality and DiversityJuly 25, 2022
8. 1.1.8Our Ways of WritingMarch 27, 2025

1.2Early Help and Thresholds for Children's Social Care Services

1. 1.2.1Gateway Panel Terms of ReferenceMarch 27, 2025
2. 1.2.2Wiltshire Safeguarding Threshold GuidanceJune 2, 2025
3. 1.2.3Accessing Children's Services - Common Assessment FrameworkMarch 27, 2025
4. 1.2.4Children Missing Education PolicyMarch 27, 2025
5. 1.2.5Early Intervention: Policy and Provision (House of Commons Library)

1.3Child in Need

1. 1.3.1Child in Need Plans and ReviewsMarch 27, 2025

1.4Children's Social Care - Assessment and Planning

1. 1.4.1Initial Contacts and ReferralsFebruary 3, 2026
2. 1.4.2AssessmentsAugust 27, 2025
3. 1.4.3Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47)March 27, 2025
4. 1.4.4Case Transfer ProtocolMarch 27, 2025
5. 1.4.5Multi-Agency Safeguarding Children Procedures

1.5Case Recording and Visiting Requirements

1. 1.5.1Recording Policy and GuidelinesSeptember 19, 2023
2. 1.5.2Case Records and RetentionJanuary 16, 2025
3. 1.5.3Access to Records/Subject Access RequestsMarch 27, 2025
4. 1.5.4Confidentiality PolicyMay 21, 2024
5. 1.5.5‘Need to Know’ Procedure and Practice GuidanceApril 14, 2025
6. 1.5.6Electronic Recording of Meetings and ConversationsDecember 18, 2024
7. 1.5.7Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding StaffMarch 27, 2025
8. 1.5.8Storage of Data on Mobile DevicesNovember 27, 2024
9. 1.5.9Lone Working PolicyFebruary 3, 2026

1.6Legal Proceedings

1. 1.6.1Applications for Emergency Protection OrdersFebruary 7, 2024
2. 1.6.2Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law OutlineFebruary 3, 2026
3. 1.6.3Legal Gateway/Planning MeetingsMarch 27, 2025
4. 1.6.4Wiltshire Council Supervision Order PolicyMarch 27, 2025
5. 1.6.5Disclosure of Information between Family and Criminal Agencies and Jurisdictions: 2024 Protocol
6. 1.6.6Cross-border child protection cases: the 1996 Hague Convention (DfE)
7. 1.6.7Family Justice Resource Hub (ADCS) - This hosts a series of practical resources, such as templates, tools and practice guidance, which will be of interest to those working in the family justice system.

1.7Complaints and Whistleblowing

1. 1.7.1Complaints and RepresentationsMarch 27, 2025
2. 1.7.2WhistleblowingMarch 27, 2025

1.8Notifications

1. 1.8.1Death or Serious Harm to a Child Looked After, Child in Need or Care Leaver Up to and Including the Age of 24February 3, 2026

2.Child Protection

1. 2.0.1Child Protection Step-Down Decision-Making Process – Local PracticeMarch 27, 2025
2. 2.0.2Wiltshire Safeguarding Vulnerable People Partnership Procedures has all relevant Child Protection Procedures
3. 2.0.3Pre-Birth (Safeguarding Unborn Babies)
4. 2.0.4Children and Families that go Missing (Including Unborn Children)
5. 2.0.5Children Missing from Care, Home and Education
6. 2.0.6Children Missing Education and Children in Education other than in Registered Schools
7. 2.0.7Wiltshire Harmful Sexual Behaviour Protocol

3.Children in Particular Circumstances

3.1Children with Disabilities and Complex Health Needs

1. 3.1.1Children's Disability ServiceMarch 27, 2025
2. 3.1.2Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and DisabilitiesAugust 20, 2024
3. 3.1.3Personal Budgets and Direct PaymentsMay 21, 2024
4. 3.1.4Short BreaksFebruary 3, 2026
5. 3.1.5Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential SettingsFebruary 3, 2026
6. 3.1.6Children and Young People's Continuing Care National FrameworkMay 21, 2024

3.2Deprivation of Liberty and Mental Capacity

1. 3.2.1Deprivation of Liberty
2. 3.2.2Mental Capacity

3.3Children from Abroad

1. 3.3.1Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern SlaveryMarch 27, 2025
2. 3.3.2Families with No Recourse to Public FundsFebruary 3, 2026

3.4Homelessness

1. 3.4.1Prevention of Homelessness and Provision of Accommodation for 16 and 17 Year Olds who may be Homeless and/or Require Accommodation; and Duty to ReferAugust 27, 2025
2. 3.4.2Practitioners Guide to Access +16 AccommodationsMarch 27, 2025

3.5Family and Friends / Kinship Care

1. 3.5.1Kinship CareAugust 27, 2025
2. 3.5.2Private FosteringMarch 27, 2025
3. 3.5.3Family Networks and Family Group Decision MakingMarch 18, 2024

3.6Young Carers

1. 3.6.1Young CarersAugust 27, 2025

3.7Relinquished Children

1. 3.7.1Relinquished ChildrenFebruary 3, 2026

3.8Mental Health

1. 3.8.1Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983May 21, 2024

3.9Children Involved in the Youth Justice System

1. 3.9.1Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice ServicesFebruary 3, 2026
2. 3.9.2Reunification (Returning Home) Policy for Children and Young People who are AccommodatedMarch 27, 2025
3. 3.9.3Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in CustodyFebruary 3, 2026
4. 3.9.4Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National GuidanceAugust 27, 2025

4.Children Looked After

4.1Decision to Look After and Care Planning

1. 4.1.1Local Authority's Sufficiency Duty - Accommodation for Looked After ChildrenAugust 27, 2025
2. 4.1.2Children Looked After PlanningMarch 27, 2025
3. 4.1.3Ceasing to Look After a ChildFebruary 3, 2026
4. 4.1.4Permanence Planning GuidanceAugust 27, 2025
5. 4.1.5Wiltshire Permanence StrategyMarch 27, 2025
6. 4.1.6Placement Planning and Disruption MeetingsMarch 27, 2025
7. 4.1.7Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After ChildrenAugust 27, 2025
8. 4.1.8NICE Guideline: Looked After Children and Young People

4.2Placements

1. 4.2.1Placements with ParentsMarch 27, 2025
2. 4.2.2Placements with Connected PersonsMarch 27, 2025
3. 4.2.3Placements in Foster CareAugust 27, 2025
4. 4.2.4Placements in Residential CareMarch 27, 2025
5. 4.2.5Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare GroundsMarch 27, 2025
6. 4.2.6Out of Area PlacementsMarch 27, 2025
7. 4.2.7Placements Outside England and WalesMarch 27, 2025
8. 4.2.8Placements in Other ArrangementsSeptember 19, 2023
9. 4.2.9Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention AccommodationFebruary 3, 2026
10. 4.2.10Notifications from Other Local Authorities/Placement ProvidersSeptember 23, 2024
11. 4.2.11Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential WorkersFebruary 3, 2026

4.3Monitoring and Reviews

1. 4.3.1Social Worker Visits to Looked After ChildrenMarch 27, 2025
2. 4.3.2Advocacy and Independent VisitorsMarch 27, 2025
3. 4.3.3Looked After ReviewsMarch 27, 2025
4. 4.3.4Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing OfficersSeptember 23, 2024
5. 4.3.5Secure Accommodation (Criteria) ReviewsMarch 27, 2025
6. 4.3.6Notifications of Significant EventsFebruary 3, 2026

4.4Contact and Overnight Stays

1. 4.4.1Contact with Parents/Adults and SiblingsMarch 27, 2025
2. 4.4.2Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays)February 3, 2026

4.5Education, School Trips and Holidays

1. 4.5.1Supporting the Education and Promoting the Achievement of Children with a Social Worker, Looked After and Previously Looked After ChildrenJuly 25, 2023
2. 4.5.2Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UKAugust 27, 2025
3. 4.5.3Leisure ActivitiesMarch 27, 2025

4.6Health and Wellbeing

1. 4.6.1Health Care Assessments and PlansMarch 27, 2025
2. 4.6.2Personal Care and RelationshipsJuly 26, 2022
3. 4.6.3Positive Relationships and Behaviour SupportFebruary 3, 2026
4. 4.6.4Restrictive Physical Intervention and RestraintFebruary 3, 2026
5. 4.6.5Consumption of Alcohol by Foster Carers and Children and Young People in Foster CareMarch 27, 2025
6. 4.6.6Health and SafetyMarch 27, 2025
7. 4.6.7Providing Personalised CareMarch 27, 2025

4.7Change of Name and Marriage/Civil Partnership

1. 4.7.1Change of Name of a Looked After ChildFebruary 7, 2024
2. 4.7.2Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Looked After ChildNovember 28, 2023

4.8Leaving Care and Transition

1. 4.8.1Wiltshire Council’s Accommodation & Support Protocol for Care Experienced Young PeopleMarch 27, 2025
2. 4.8.2Leaving Care and TransitionMarch 27, 2025
3. 4.8.3Staying PutAugust 27, 2025
4. 4.8.4Care Leavers Financial SupportAugust 27, 2025
5. 4.8.5Reunification (Returning Home) Policy for Children and Young People who are AccommodatedMarch 27, 2025

5.Fostering and Adoption

5.1Fostering Services

1. 5.1.1Foster Carers HandbookMarch 27, 2025
2. 5.1.2Wiltshire Council Kinship and Fostering Service Statement of PurposeMarch 27, 2025
3. 5.1.3Foster Carers CharterMarch 27, 2025
4. 5.1.4Children and Young People's Guide to FosteringMarch 27, 2025
5. 5.1.5Fostering PanelJuly 26, 2022
6. 5.1.6Persons Disqualified from FosteringJuly 26, 2022
7. 5.1.7Assessment and Approvals of Foster CarersMay 21, 2024
8. 5.1.8Exemptions and Extensions/Variations to Foster Carer ApprovalSeptember 23, 2024
9. 5.1.9Supervision and Support of Foster CarersFebruary 3, 2026
10. 5.1.10Review and Termination of Approval of Foster CarersJuly 26, 2022
11. 5.1.11Managing Concerns, Complaints & Allegations Against Foster Carers, Including Historical AllegationsFebruary 3, 2026
12. 5.1.12Early Permanence: Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective AdoptersMarch 27, 2025
13. 5.1.13Applications for Special Guardianship OrdersFebruary 3, 2026
14. 5.1.14Court Reports in Placement Order Applications and Adoption/Special Guardianship GuidanceSeptember 23, 2024

5.2Adoption and Permanence Services

1. 5.2.1Adoption West Letterbox FormsMarch 27, 2025
2. 5.2.2Wiltshire Adoption Service Statement of PurposeMarch 27, 2025
3. 5.2.3Adoption by Sibling Adopters (Adoption West Guidance)
   Updated
   March 25, 2026
4. 5.2.4Adoption West Procedures Wiltshire are part of a consortium of local authorities who use Adoption West, as their Regional Adoption Agency. 
5. 5.2.5Adoption Strategy: Achieving Excellence Everywhere

6.Contacts, List of Agency Decision Makers and Appendices

1. 6.0.1List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated OfficersMarch 27, 2025
2. 6.0.2Wiltshire Children's Services Practice StandardsMarch 27, 2025
3. 6.0.3Children's Social Care Quality Standards for ManagersMarch 27, 2025
4. 6.0.4Ofsted Inspection FrameworkAugust 20, 2024
5. 6.0.5Working Together to Safeguard Children
6. 6.0.6Amendments