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A list of promises for central and local government to make to young people moving out of care and into adulthood.
A guide to the use, storage and sharing of information about children in care homes.
Funding for local authorities to appoint virtual school heads to support the education of previously looked-after children.
A guide to help young people living in children’s homes or foster care understand the 'Independent reviewing officers handbook'.
Statutory guidance on securing sufficient accommodation and access to services for looked-after children.
Data submission specifications for the children looked after (CLA) return for 2026 to 2027.
Specifications of children in need census reports that local authorities can run in COLLECT.
Annex A form for residential family centres to fill in ahead of inspections under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).
Statutory guidance for local authorities on children who lose their looked-after status when remanded or sentenced to custody.
Specification and validation rules for local authorities and software suppliers preparing for the 2026 to 2027 children in need census.
Guidance for inspectors on carrying out joint targeted area inspections (JTAIs) of local area services on children's mental health.
Report highlighting best practice from local authorities, including increased support for care leavers over the coronavirus (COVID-19) period.
Guidance for schools that describes the experience of secondary schools that have worked well to support children in care.
This prospectus looks at intensive interventions for looked-after children and those on the edge of care or custody and their families.
Guidance for schools that describes the experience of primary schools that have worked well to support children in care.
Knowledge and skills development for social workers supporting vulnerable children and families.
Guidance for local authorities who are aiming to develop or improve their local delegated authority policy.
Good practice advice to support local authorities to meet the accommodation needs of care leavers.
Framework and guidance for joint targeted area inspections of local area services.
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