Amendments

In April 2026, this chapter was updated locally.

In April 2026, links to local guidance were added

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

In April 2026, this chapter was amended locally where required.

In April 2026, information was added in 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 April 2026, local amendments were added where required.

This chapter has been revised throughout in April 2026 and should be read.

In April 2026, this chapter was reviewed and amended locally where required.

This chapter was refreshed in April 2026.

This chapter was updated in April 2026 to include information from the Ministry of Justice Youth Remand Concordat. Information was added 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 does what, what their rights are, and what to do if the standards are not met.

This chapter was refreshed in April 2026. The ‘Report the death or serious harm of a child or care leaver’ has been 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 has been added to this chapter

In April 2026 this chapter has been updated with guidance from the Youth Remand Concordat which gives guidance and principles for Local Authorities and key agencies in working with children through the remand process.

Information was added 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 does what, what their rights are, and what to do if the standards are not met.

This chapter was updated in October 2025.

In October 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 October 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 October 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 October 2025 this chapter was reviewed and updated locally where required.

This new chapter was added in October 2025.

This chapter was refreshed in October 2025 to include information from the Criminal Injuries Compensation: A Guide.

This chapter was added in October 2025.

This chapter was reviewed and updated locally where required in October 2025.

This chapter was revised locally and added in October 2025.

In October 2025 information was added from How Local Authorities Can Help Young Carers (Ofsted Blog) and additional resources were added to Further Information.

In October 2025 this chapter was revised in line with updated government guidance.

Section 10, Actions and Outcomes, was slightly updated in October 2025 to include GPs’ in the written assessment.

This chapter was added to the manual in August 2025.

This chapter was updated in April 2025 to reflect section 32 of Working Together to Improve School Attendance 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.

This chapter was updated in April 2025, with a link to DBS guidance leaflets - GOV.UK in the Related Guidance Section. 

In April 2025, this chapter was reviewed and updated locally. 

In April 2025, a link was added to Ofsted and CQC Joint Registration Guidance: Children's Homes and Health Care.

This chapter was refreshed in April 2025, in line with How Local Authorities and Children's Homes Can Achieve Stability and Permanence for Children with Complex Needs (Ofsted).

In April 2025, Section 4.2, Procedural Fairness was updated in line with case-law.

In April 2025, information was added in relation to Ofsted and CQC Joint Registration Guidance: Children's Homes and Health Care.

In April 2025, information was added into Section 9, Accommodation, Bedroom Space and Sharing in relation to bunk beds.

In April 2025, this chapter was added as new.

This chapter was updated in April 2025, to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets - GOV.UK. in the Related Guidance Section.

In April 2025, links to sources of further information were updated.

In April 2025, links were added to additional sources of guidance.