Contents

1.All Children

1.1Policy, Values and Principles

1. 1.1.1Children's Services Policies, Values and PrinciplesJuly 2, 2025
2. 1.1.2Children's Consultation and ParticipationJuly 2, 2025
3. 1.1.3Equality and DiversityJuly 25, 2022

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

1. 1.2.1Early HelpJuly 2, 2025
2. 1.2.2Tees Framework of NeedJanuary 27, 2026
3. 1.2.3Capacity and ConsentJanuary 27, 2026
4. 1.2.4Early Intervention: Policy and Provision (House of Commons Library)

1.3Children's Social Care - Assessment and Planning

1. 1.3.1Contacts and ReferralsJanuary 27, 2026
2. 1.3.2AssessmentsJanuary 27, 2026
3. 1.3.3Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47)July 2, 2025
4. 1.3.4Local Protocol for Assessment
5. 1.3.5South Tees Safeguarding Children Partnership Procedures
6. 1.3.6Making a Referral/Safer Referral Form

1.4Child in Need

1. 1.4.1Child in NeedJuly 2, 2025
2. 1.4.2Child in Need Plans and ReviewsJuly 2, 2025

1.5Legal Proceedings

1. 1.5.1Applications for Emergency Protection OrdersJuly 2, 2025
2. 1.5.2Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline
   Updated
   January 27, 2026
3. 1.5.3Legal Gateway/Planning MeetingsAugust 19, 2024
4. 1.5.4Disclosure of Information between Family and Criminal Agencies and Jurisdictions: 2024 Protocol
5. 1.5.5Cross-border child protection cases: the 1996 Hague Convention (DfE)
6. 1.5.6Family 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.

1.6Complaints and Whistleblowing

1. 1.6.1Complaints and RepresentationsJuly 2, 2025
2. 1.6.2WhistleblowingTo Follow

1.7Notifications

1. 1.7.1Death or Serious Harm to a Child Looked After, Child in Need or Care Leaver Up to and Including the Age of 24
   Updated
   January 27, 2026

2.Case Management and Recording

1. 2.0.1Recording Policy and GuidelinesJuly 2, 2025
2. 2.0.2Case Records and RetentionJanuary 16, 2025
3. 2.0.3Access to Records/Subject Access RequestsNovember 27, 2024
4. 2.0.4Confidentiality PolicyMay 21, 2024
5. 2.0.5Electronic Recording of Meetings and ConversationsDecember 18, 2024
6. 2.0.6Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding StaffJuly 2, 2025
7. 2.0.7Storage of Data on Mobile DevicesNovember 27, 2024

3.Children in Particular Circumstances

3.1Children with Disabilities and Complex Health Needs

1. 3.1.1Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and DisabilitiesJuly 2, 2025
2. 3.1.2Personal Budgets and Direct PaymentsJuly 2, 2025
3. 3.1.3Short BreaksJanuary 27, 2026
4. 3.1.4Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential SettingsJanuary 27, 2026
5. 3.1.5Children and Young People’s Continuing Care National FrameworkJuly 2, 2025

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 SlaveryJanuary 27, 2026
2. 3.3.2Families with No Recourse to Public Funds
   Updated
   January 27, 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 ReferJuly 2, 2025

3.5Family and Friends / Kinship Care

1. 3.5.1Kinship CareJuly 2, 2025
2. 3.5.2Private FosteringJuly 2, 2025
3. 3.5.3Family Networks and Family Group Decision MakingJuly 2, 2025

3.6Young Carers

1. 3.6.1Young Carers
   Updated
   January 27, 2026

3.7Relinquished Children

1. 3.7.1Relinquished ChildrenJanuary 27, 2026

3.8Mental Health

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

3.9Children Missing from Home and Care

1. 3.9.1Tees Protocol for Children Missing from Home and Care

3.10Vulnerable, Exploited, Missing, Trafficked (VEMT)

1. 3.10.1Vulnerable, exploited, missing, trafficked (VEMT)

4.Looked After Children

4.1Decision to Look After and Care Planning

1. 4.1.1Local Authority's Sufficiency Duty - Accommodation for Looked After ChildrenJuly 2, 2025
2. 4.1.2Decision to Look AfterOctober 9, 2024
3. 4.1.3Care PlanningAugust 19, 2024
4. 4.1.4Ceasing to Look After a ChildSeptember 19, 2023
5. 4.1.5Permanence Planning GuidanceJuly 25, 2023
6. 4.1.6Placement Planning and Disruption MeetingsJuly 25, 2023
7. 4.1.7Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After Children
   Updated
   January 27, 2026
8. 4.1.8Risk Assessment and PlanningJanuary 27, 2026
9. 4.1.9Providing Personalised CareMarch 23, 2022
10. 4.1.10NICE Guideline: Looked After Children and Young People

4.2Placements

1. 4.2.1Placements with ParentsJuly 2, 2025
2. 4.2.2Placements with Connected PersonsMarch 18, 2024
3. 4.2.3Placements in Foster CareJuly 2, 2025
4. 4.2.4Placements in Residential CareJuly 2, 2025
5. 4.2.5Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare GroundsJanuary 27, 2026
6. 4.2.6Out of Area PlacementsSeptember 23, 2024
7. 4.2.7Placements Outside England and WalesMarch 6, 2024
8. 4.2.8Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation
   Updated
   January 27, 2026
9. 4.2.9Notifications from Other Local Authorities/Placement ProvidersJuly 2, 2025
10. 4.2.10Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential WorkersJanuary 27, 2026
11. 4.2.11Placements in Other ArrangementsSeptember 19, 2023
12. 4.2.12Health and SafetyJuly 2, 2025

4.3Monitoring and Reviews

1. 4.3.1Social Worker Visits to Looked After ChildrenJuly 26, 2022
2. 4.3.2Advocacy and Independent VisitorsJuly 2, 2025
3. 4.3.3Looked After ReviewsJuly 2, 2025
4. 4.3.4Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing OfficersSeptember 23, 2024
5. 4.3.5Secure Accommodation (Criteria) ReviewsFebruary 14, 2025
6. 4.3.6Notifications of Significant EventsJanuary 27, 2026

4.4Contact and Overnight Stays

1. 4.4.1Contact with Parents/Adults and SiblingsJuly 2, 2025
2. 4.4.2Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays)January 27, 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 2, 2025
2. 4.5.2Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UKJuly 2, 2025
3. 4.5.3Leisure ActivitiesMarch 23, 2022

4.6Health and Wellbeing

1. 4.6.1Health Care Assessments and PlansMay 1, 2024
2. 4.6.2Personal Care and RelationshipsJuly 26, 2022
3. 4.6.3Positive Relationships and Behaviour Support
   Updated
   January 27, 2026
4. 4.6.4Restrictive Physical Intervention and Restraint
   Updated
   January 27, 2026

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. 4.8.1Leaving Care and TransitionJuly 2, 2025
2. 4.8.2Staying PutJanuary 27, 2026
3. 4.8.3Financial Arrangements for Care LeaversTo Follow

4.9Children Involved in the Youth Justice System

1. 4.9.1Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services
   Updated
   January 27, 2026
2. 4.9.2Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in CustodyJanuary 27, 2026
3. 4.9.3Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National Guidance
   Updated
   January 27, 2026

5.Fostering and Adoption

5.1Fostering Services

1. 5.1.1Fostering PanelJuly 26, 2022
2. 5.1.2Persons Disqualified from FosteringJuly 26, 2022
3. 5.1.3Assessment and Approvals of Foster CarersJuly 2, 2025
4. 5.1.4Exemptions and Extensions/Variations to Foster Carer ApprovalSeptember 23, 2024
5. 5.1.5Supervision and Support of Foster CarersJanuary 27, 2026
6. 5.1.6Review and Termination of Approval of Foster CarersJuly 26, 2022
7. 5.1.7Allegations Against Foster CarersJanuary 27, 2026
8. 5.1.8Training and Development of Foster CarersMarch 23, 2022
9. 5.1.9Foster with North East

5.2Adoption and Permanence Services

1. 5.2.1Recruitment, Assessment and Approval of Prospective AdoptersJuly 2, 2025
2. 5.2.2Adoption PanelMarch 17, 2023
3. 5.2.3Placement for AdoptionJuly 2, 2025
4. 5.2.4Adoption Support
   Updated
   January 27, 2026
5. 5.2.5Monitoring and Supervision of Adoptive PlacementsOctober 31, 2023
6. 5.2.6Adoption ReviewsJuly 26, 2022
7. 5.2.7Disruption of Adoptive PlacementsNovember 28, 2023
8. 5.2.8Allegations Against Prospective Adopters and in Relation to Children Placed for Adoption or Already AdoptedJuly 2, 2025
9. 5.2.9Inter Country AdoptionMay 21, 2024
10. 5.2.10Non Agency AdoptionMay 21, 2024
11. 5.2.11Adoption Case Records
    Updated
    January 27, 2026
12. 5.2.12Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case RecordsJuly 26, 2022
13. 5.2.13Intermediary ServicesJuly 26, 2022
14. 5.2.14Life Story Books GuidanceMay 21, 2024
15. 5.2.15Later Life LettersMay 21, 2024
16. 5.2.16Early Permanence: Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective AdoptersAugust 25, 2023
17. 5.2.17Regional Adoption Agency – Adoption Tees Valley
18. 5.2.18Adoption Strategy: Achieving Excellence Everywhere

5.3Special Guardianship

1. 5.3.1Applications for Special Guardianship Orders
   Updated
   January 27, 2026
2. 5.3.2Court Reports in Placement Order Applications and Adoption/Special Guardianship GuidanceSeptember 23, 2024

6.Contacts, List of Agency Decision Makers and Appendices

1. 6.0.1List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated OfficersJanuary 27, 2026
2. 6.0.2Ofsted Inspection FrameworkAugust 20, 2024
3. 6.0.3Working Together to Safeguard Children