Children’s social care
Guidance for those working in and with the children’s social care sector to improve the outcomes of children, young people and families.
This collection is for those working in and with the children’s social care sector, including:
- directors of children’s services
- local authorities
- social workers
- safeguarding partners
- child and family help practitioners
- frontline workers for looked-after children
- multi-agency partners
- children, young people and families
National framework
Statutory guidance on:
- the purpose of children’s social care
- its principles
- the outcomes to be achieved
- the enablers of good practice
Multi-agency child protection and safeguarding
Statutory and non-statutory guidance on safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare, including:
- multi-agency working
- information-sharing
- care for vulnerable groups
Families First Partnership Programme
Guidance for safeguarding partners on implementing:
- family help
- multi-agency child protection
- family network reforms, including family group decision-making and the use of family network support packages
Kinship and special guardianship
Statutory guidance for local authorities on:
- supporting children cared for by extended family, friends or connected individuals
- providing special guardianship services
Guidance for employers on supporting kinship carers in the workplace.
Adoption
Statutory guidance for local authorities and adoption agencies.
Guidance on the national minimum standards applicable to adoption agencies and adoption support agencies.
Children Act 1989
Statutory guidance on the Children Act 1989, setting out the framework for child welfare and protection.
Fostering
Statutory guidance for local authorities on the:
- assessment and approval of foster carers for looked-after children
- national minimum standards for safeguarding privately fostered children
Guidance for local authorities on the national minimum standards for providing fostering services.
Looked-after children
Statutory and best-practice guidance for local authorities and partner agencies on ensuring high-quality care for looked-after children.
Children’s homes
Statutory guidance for those providing residential children’s homes for vulnerable children.
Guidance for children’s home providers and partner agencies following amendments to the Children’s Homes Regulations 2001.
Care leavers
Statutory guidance for local authorities on delivering a comprehensive local offer for care leavers.
Guidance for local authorities on:
- extending personal adviser support up to the age of 25
- implementing ‘staying put’ arrangements
- funding for young people leaving care
Workforce and leadership
Statutory guidance for those working in the children’s social care sector, including:
- directors of children’s services
- local authorities
- social workers
- child and family practitioners
- frontline practitioners
- safeguarding partners
- multi-agency partners
- those advocating for children and young people