Procedures

1.All Children

1.1Policy, Values and Principles

1. 1.1.1Children's Services Policies, Values and Principles August 11, 2025
2. 1.1.2Children's Consultation and ParticipationApril 3, 2025
3. 1.1.3Equality and DiversityJuly 25, 2022
4. 1.1.4Documents Library

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

1. 1.2.1Helping Families Early StrategyOctober 30, 2024
2. 1.2.2Capacity and ConsentOctober 8, 2025
3. 1.2.3Continuum of Support for Children and Families Living in Surrey (SSCP)April 3, 2025
4. 1.2.4Early Intervention: Policy and Provision (House of Commons Library)
5. 1.2.5Documents Library

1.3Children's Social Care - Assessment and Planning

1. 1.3.1Contacts and ReferralsOctober 8, 2025
2. 1.3.2Assessments
   Updated
   October 8, 2025
3. 1.3.3Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47)October 8, 2025
4. 1.3.4Referral for a Section 7 Report
5. 1.3.5Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership Procedures
6. 1.3.6Documents Library

1.4Safeguarding

1. 1.4.1Missing Protocol
2. 1.4.2Documents Library

1.5Child in Need

1. 1.5.1Child in Need Plans and Reviews
   Updated
   October 8, 2025

1.6Legal Proceedings

1. 1.6.1Applications for Emergency Protection OrdersApril 3, 2025
2. 1.6.2How to Arrange a Legal Gateway Meeting and Accessing Legal Advice including Urgent Duty Line
3. 1.6.3Care and Supervision Proceedings, Legal Gateway Meetings and the Public Law Outline
4. 1.6.4Disclosure of Information between Family and Criminal Agencies and Jurisdictions: 2024 Protocol
5. 1.6.5Cross-border child protection cases: the 1996 Hague Convention (DfE)
6. 1.6.6Family 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.
7. 1.6.7Documents Library

1.7Complaints and Whistleblowing

1. 1.7.1WhistleblowingOctober 30, 2024
2. 1.7.2Complaints and Representations

1.8Notifications

1. 1.8.1Death or Serious Injury to a ChildApril 25, 2025
2. 1.8.2Documents Library

2.Case Management and Recording

1. 2.0.1Recording Policy and GuidelinesOctober 8, 2025
2. 2.0.2Case Records and RetentionNovember 11, 2024
3. 2.0.3Access to Records/Subject Access RequestsDecember 12, 2024
4. 2.0.4Confidentiality PolicyMay 21, 2024
5. 2.0.5Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding StaffNovember 11, 2024
6. 2.0.6Storage of Data on Mobile DevicesDecember 12, 2024
7. 2.0.7Documents Library

3.Children in Particular Circumstances

3.1Children with Disabilities

1. 3.1.1Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
   Updated
   October 8, 2025
2. 3.1.2Overnight Short BreaksOctober 8, 2025
3. 3.1.3Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential SettingsOctober 8, 2025
4. 3.1.4Surrey's Local Offer for Children and Young People with Additional NeedsOctober 30, 2024
5. 3.1.5Children and Young People's Continuing Care National FrameworkOctober 8, 2025
6. 3.1.6Direct Payments
7. 3.1.7Documents Library

3.2Deprivation of Liberty and Mental Capacity

1. 3.2.1Deprivation of Liberty
2. 3.2.2Mental Capacity
3. 3.2.3Documents Library

3.3Children from Abroad

1. 3.3.1Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern SlaveryApril 3, 2025
2. 3.3.2Families with No Recourse to Public Funds
   Updated
   October 8, 2025
3. 3.3.3Documents Library

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; Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 - Duty to Refer; and Domestic Abuse Act 2021
   Updated
   October 8, 2025
2. 3.4.2Documents Library

3.5Family and Friends Care

1. 3.5.1Kinship Care
   Updated
   October 8, 2025
2. 3.5.2Private FosteringApril 3, 2025
3. 3.5.3Family Networks and Family Group Decision MakingApril 3, 2025
4. 3.5.4Documents Library

3.6Young Carers

1. 3.6.1Young Carers
   Updated
   October 8, 2025
2. 3.6.2Documents Library

3.7Relinquished Children

1. 3.7.1Relinquished ChildrenOctober 8, 2025

3.8Mental Health

1. 3.8.1Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983April 3, 2025

4.Looked After Children

1. 4.0.1Documents Library

4.1Decision to Look After and Care Planning

1. 4.1.1Local Authority's Sufficiency Duty - Accommodation for Looked After Children
   Updated
   October 8, 2025
2. 4.1.2Decision to Look AfterOctober 8, 2025
3. 4.1.3Care PlanningAugust 19, 2024
4. 4.1.4Ceasing to Look After a ChildApril 3, 2025
5. 4.1.5Permanence Planning Guidance
   Updated
   October 8, 2025
6. 4.1.6Placement Planning and Disruption MeetingsOctober 8, 2025
7. 4.1.7Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After Children
   Updated
   October 8, 2025
8. 4.1.8Risk Assessment and PlanningMarch 23, 2022
9. 4.1.9Providing Personalised CareDecember 11, 2024
10. 4.1.10NICE Guideline: Looked After Children and Young People
11. 4.1.11Promoting Wellbeing and Positive Identity for a Child or Young Person Who is Looked After: A Quick Guide for Social Workers and Social Care Practitioners
12. 4.1.12Documents Library

4.2Placements

1. 4.2.1Placements with ParentsOctober 8, 2025
2. 4.2.2Placements with Connected PersonsOctober 8, 2025
3. 4.2.3Placements in Foster CareOctober 8, 2025
4. 4.2.4Placements in Residential CareOctober 8, 2025
5. 4.2.5Placements Outside England and WalesOctober 8, 2025
6. 4.2.6Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention AccommodationOctober 8, 2025
7. 4.2.7Notifications from Other Local Authorities/Placement ProvidersOctober 8, 2025
8. 4.2.8Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential WorkersDecember 12, 2024
9. 4.2.9Placements in Other ArrangementsOctober 8, 2025
10. 4.2.10Health and SafetyOctober 8, 2025
11. 4.2.11Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds
    Updated
    October 8, 2025
12. 4.2.12Documents Library

4.3Monitoring and Reviews

1. 4.3.1Social Worker Visits to Looked After ChildrenOctober 8, 2025
2. 4.3.2AdvocacyDecember 11, 2024
3. 4.3.3Independent VisitorsDecember 11, 2024
4. 4.3.4Looked After ReviewsOctober 8, 2025
5. 4.3.5Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing OfficersOctober 8, 2025
6. 4.3.6Secure Accommodation (Criteria) ReviewsApril 3, 2025
7. 4.3.7Notifications of Significant EventsApril 25, 2025
8. 4.3.8Documents Library

4.4Contact and Overnight Stays

1. 4.4.1Contact with Parents/Adults and SiblingsOctober 8, 2025
2. 4.4.2Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays)December 11, 2024
3. 4.4.3Supervised Contact and the Surrey Contact ServiceOctober 30, 2024
4. 4.4.4Documents Library

4.5Surrey Virtual School (SVS), Education, 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 ChildrenOctober 8, 2025
2. 4.5.2Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UKApril 17, 2025
3. 4.5.3Leisure ActivitiesOctober 8, 2025
4. 4.5.4Documents Library

4.6Health and Wellbeing

1. 4.6.1Health Care Assessments and PlansOctober 8, 2025
2. 4.6.2Personal Care and RelationshipsDecember 11, 2024
3. 4.6.3Positive Relationships and Behaviour ManagementMarch 17, 2023
4. 4.6.4Restrictive Physical Intervention and RestraintOctober 8, 2025
5. 4.6.5Gender Identity IssuesNovember 15, 2024
6. 4.6.6Documents Library

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 TransitionOctober 8, 2025
2. 4.8.2Staying Put
   Updated
   October 8, 2025
3. 4.8.3Documents Library

4.9Children Involved in the Youth Justice System

1. 4.9.1Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice ServicesOctober 8, 2025
2. 4.9.2Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in CustodyOctober 8, 2025
3. 4.9.3Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National Guidance
   Updated
   October 8, 2025
4. 4.9.4Documents Library

5.Fostering and Adoption

5.1Fostering Services

1. 5.1.1Fostering PanelJuly 26, 2022
2. 5.1.2Persons Disqualified from FosteringDecember 12, 2024
3. 5.1.3Assessment and Approvals of Foster CarersApril 3, 2025
4. 5.1.4Exemptions and Extensions/Variations to Foster Carer ApprovalDecember 11, 2024
5. 5.1.5Supervision and Support of Foster CarersApril 3, 2025
6. 5.1.6Review and Termination of Approval of Foster CarersDecember 11, 2024
7. 5.1.7Training and Development of Foster CarersOctober 8, 2025
8. 5.1.8Foster Carers Becoming Special Guardians
   Updated
   August 5, 2025
9. 5.1.9Managing Allegations Against Foster Carers and Prospective Adopters
10. 5.1.10Documents Library

5.2Adoption and Permanence Services

1. 5.2.1General Statement re Adoption FunctionsOctober 8, 2025
2. 5.2.2Recruitment, Assessment and Approval of Prospective AdoptersApril 3, 2025
3. 5.2.3Adoption PanelNovember 15, 2024
4. 5.2.4Placement for AdoptionOctober 8, 2025
5. 5.2.5Disruption of Adoptive PlacementsNovember 28, 2023
6. 5.2.6Procedures Relating to Adults impacted by Adoption (Birth Relative, Adult Adoptees)
7. 5.2.7Adoption Statutory Guidance (2013)
8. 5.2.8Adoption Strategy: Achieving Excellence Everywhere
9. 5.2.9Documents Library

5.3Special Guardianship

1. 5.3.1Applications for Special Guardianship OrdersOctober 8, 2025
2. 5.3.2Court Reports in Placement Order Applications and Adoption/Special Guardianship GuidanceSeptember 23, 2024
3. 5.3.3Documents Library

6.Contacts, List of Agency Decision Makers and Appendices

1. 6.0.1List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated OfficersOctober 30, 2024
2. 6.0.2Ofsted Inspection FrameworkApril 3, 2025
3. 6.0.3Working Together to Safeguard Children
4. 6.0.4Amendments
5. 6.0.5Documents Library