Contents

1.All Children

1.1Early Help and Thresholds for Children's Social Care Services

1. 1.1.1Children and Young People Service Policies, Values and PrinciplesNovember 18, 2024
2. 1.1.2Wakefield Early Help Strategy
3. 1.1.3Early Intervention: Policy and Provision (House of Commons Library)

1.2Children's Social Care - Assessment and Planning

1. 1.2.1Contacts and ReferralsNovember 18, 2025
2. 1.2.2AssessmentsNovember 18, 2025
3. 1.2.3Single Assessment Plan and Practice GuidanceApril 5, 2024
4. 1.2.4Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47)November 18, 2025
5. 1.2.5Family Group ConferencingApril 5, 2024
6. 1.2.6Transfer ProtocolApril 5, 2024
7. 1.2.7Guidance: Use of Social Media Sites (Facebook) by Social Care Staff in the Course of Their WorkNovember 18, 2024
8. 1.2.8Capacity and ConsentNovember 18, 2025
9. 1.2.9West Yorkshire Consortium Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures

1.3Child in Need

1. 1.3.1Child in Need Plans and ReviewsApril 5, 2024

1.4Legal Proceedings

1. 1.4.1Applications for Emergency Protection OrdersMay 20, 2024
2. 1.4.2Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline
   Updated
   Under Review
3. 1.4.3Gateway to Care Panel Terms of Reference and Guidance for PractitionersApril 5, 2024
4. 1.4.4Legal Planning MeetingsMay 20, 2024
5. 1.4.5Supervision Orders in Care ProceedingsMay 20, 2024
6. 1.4.6Care Plans in Court ProceedingsApril 5, 2024
7. 1.4.7Cross-Border Child Protection Cases Under the 1996 Hague ConventionApril 5, 2024
8. 1.4.8Disclosure of Information between Family and Criminal Agencies and Jurisdictions: 2024 Protocol
9. 1.4.9Cross-border Child Protection Cases: The 1996 Hague Convention
10. 1.4.10Family 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.

1.5Complaints and Whistleblowing

1. 1.5.1Wakefield Council Compliments and Complaints
   Updated
   May 20, 2026
2. 1.5.2WhistleblowingNovember 18, 2024

1.6Notifications

1. 1.6.1Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Child in Care, Child in Need or Care Leaver Up to and Including the Age of 24)November 18, 2025

1.7Safeguarding in Children's Social Care

1. 1.7.1West Yorkshire Joint Protocol for Children Missing from Home or CareNovember 18, 2025
2. 1.7.2Wakefield Operating Guidance for Children Missing from Home and CareApril 5, 2024
3. 1.7.3Special Domestic Abuse Practitioner (SDAP) Operating ProtocolApril 5, 2024
4. 1.7.4Wakefield District Domestic Abuse Service (WDDAS): Referral Process and Referral FormApril 5, 2024
5. 1.7.5Wakefield District Domestic Abuse Service (WDDAS) Process Regarding Attendance at Initial Child Protection ConferencesApril 5, 2024
6. 1.7.6Child Protection Conference Procedures, Standards and Dispute Resolution ProcessNovember 18, 2025
7. 1.7.7West Yorkshire Consortium Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures

2.Recording, Case Management and Supervision of Staff

2.1Recording

1. 2.1.1Recording Policy and GuidelinesNovember 18, 2025
2. 2.1.2Electronic Recording of Meetings and ConversationsMay 20, 2026
3. 2.1.3Case Records and RetentionMay 20, 2024
4. 2.1.4Access to Records / Subject Access RequestsMay 20, 2026
5. 2.1.5Confidentiality PolicyMay 20, 2026

2.2Supervision

1. 2.2.1Supervision and Appraisal Policy for the Children's Workforce (intranet access required)

3.Children in Particular Circumstances

3.1Children with Disabilities and Complex Care Needs

1. 3.1.1Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and DisabilitiesNovember 18, 2024
2. 3.1.2Complex Care Needs TeamNovember 18, 2025
3. 3.1.3Personal Budgets and Direct PaymentsNovember 18, 2024
4. 3.1.4Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential SettingsNovember 18, 2025
5. 3.1.5Short BreaksMay 20, 2026
6. 3.1.6Wakefield Short Breaks Procedures HandbookNovember 18, 2024
7. 3.1.7Children and Young People’s Continuing Care National FrameworkNovember 18, 2024

3.2Children from Abroad

1. 3.2.1Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern SlaveryNovember 18, 2025
2. 3.2.2Families with No Recourse to Public Funds
   Updated
   May 20, 2026

3.3Homelessness

1. 3.3.1Wakefield Council Policy and Procedures for the Provision of Accommodation to Homeless 16 and 17 year old Young People
   Updated
   May 20, 2026
2. 3.3.2Wakefield Council Provision of Accommodation to Homeless 16 and 17-Year-Old Young People
   Updated
   May 20, 2026

3.4Family and Friends / Kinship Care

1. 3.4.1Kinship CareUnder Review
2. 3.4.2Private FosteringMay 20, 2024
3. 3.4.3Family Networks and Family Network Decision MakingNovember 18, 2024

3.5Young Carers

1. 3.5.1Young CarersNovember 18, 2025

3.6Relinquished Children

1. 3.6.1Relinquished ChildrenMay 20, 2026

3.7Deprivation of Liberty and Mental Capacity

1. 3.7.1Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983May 20, 2025
2. 3.7.2Deprivation of Liberty
3. 3.7.3Mental Capacity
4. 3.7.4Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) Briefing

4.Children in Care

1. 4.0.1Wakefield Children in Care Strategy (2026 – 2028)
   Updated
   May 20, 2026

4.1Decision to Look After and Care Planning

1. 4.1.1Wakefield Council Sufficiency Strategy (2026- 2028)
   Updated
   May 20, 2026
2. 4.1.2Guidance on Section 20 Children Act 1989April 5, 2024
3. 4.1.3Decision to Look AfterNovember 18, 2024
4. 4.1.4Care PlanningApril 5, 2024
5. 4.1.5Gateway to Care Panel Terms of Reference and Guidance for PractitionersApril 5, 2024
6. 4.1.6Ceasing to Look After a ChildNovember 18, 2024
7. 4.1.7Permanence Planning GuidanceNovember 18, 2025
8. 4.1.8Placement Planning and Disruption MeetingsNovember 18, 2025
9. 4.1.9Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After ChildrenNovember 18, 2025
10. 4.1.10NICE Guideline: Looked After Children and Young People
11. 4.1.11Early Permanence Placements (One Adoption)

4.2Placements

1. 4.2.1Placements with ParentsApril 5, 2024
2. 4.2.2Placements with Connected PersonsMay 20, 2026
3. 4.2.3Placements in Foster Care (excluding Short Breaks but including Externally Provided Placements)November 18, 2024
4. 4.2.4Placements in Residential CareNovember 18, 2024
5. 4.2.5Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare GroundsMay 20, 2026
6. 4.2.6Out of District PlacementsApril 5, 2024
7. 4.2.7Children Placed within Wakefield by another Local AuthorityApril 5, 2024
8. 4.2.8Placements Outside England and WalesNovember 18, 2025
9. 4.2.9Placements in Other ArrangementsSeptember 19, 2023
10. 4.2.10Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation
    Updated
    May 20, 2026
11. 4.2.11Notifications from Other Local Authorities/Placement ProvidersApril 5, 2024
12. 4.2.12Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential WorkersApril 5, 2024
13. 4.2.13Wakefield Supported Independent Living Manual

4.3Monitoring and Reviews

1. 4.3.1Social Worker Visits to Children in CareNovember 18, 2025
2. 4.3.2Advocacy and Independent VisitorsNovember 18, 2025
3. 4.3.3Children in Care ReviewsMay 20, 2026
4. 4.3.4Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing OfficersApril 5, 2024
5. 4.3.5Secure Accommodation (Criteria) ReviewsApril 5, 2024
6. 4.3.6Notifications of Significant EventsNovember 18, 2024

4.4Contact and Overnight Stays

1. 4.4.1Contact with Parents / Adults and SiblingsApril 5, 2024
2. 4.4.2Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays)April 5, 2024

4.5Education, School Trips and Holidays

1. 4.5.1Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UKNovember 18, 2025
2. 4.5.2Passports for Children in Care
3. 4.5.3Promoting the Education of Looked After and Previously Looked After Children

4.6Health and Wellbeing

1. 4.6.1Health Care Assessments and Health Action PlansApril 5, 2024
2. 4.6.2GPs, Dentists and OpticiansApril 5, 2024
3. 4.6.3Personal Care and RelationshipsApril 5, 2024
4. 4.6.4Positive Relationships and Behaviour SupportMay 20, 2026
5. 4.6.5Countering Bullying and Harassment Policy and Procedure for Looked After ChildrenNovember 18, 2025
6. 4.6.6Restrictive Physical Intervention and Restraint
   Updated
   May 20, 2026
7. 4.6.7Risk Assessment and PlanningNovember 18, 2025
8. 4.6.8Health and SafetyMay 20, 2025
9. 4.6.9Leisure ActivitiesNovember 18, 2025

4.7Change of Name and Marriage

1. 4.7.1Change of Name of a Child Looked AfterMay 20, 2024
2. 4.7.2Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Child Looked AfterApril 5, 2024

4.8Leaving Care and Transition

1. 4.8.1Leaving Care and TransitionNovember 18, 2025
2. 4.8.2Wakefield Local Offer for Care LeaversMay 20, 2024
3. 4.8.3Staying PutNovember 18, 2024
4. 4.8.4Looked After Children Joining the Armed ForcesApril 5, 2024

4.9Children Involved in the Youth Justice System

1. 4.9.1Children in Care in Contact with Youth Justice Services
   Updated
   May 20, 2026
2. 4.9.2Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Children in Care in CustodyApril 5, 2024
3. 4.9.3Electronic Monitoring (Tagging of Children and Young People)April 5, 2024
4. 4.9.4Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National GuidanceNovember 18, 2025
5. 4.9.5Standards for Children in the Youth Justice System and YJB and Probation Joint National Protocol for Transitions in England
6. 4.9.6YJB and Probation Joint National Protocol for Transitions in England

5.Fostering and Adoption

5.1Fostering Services

1. 5.1.1Fostering Service Statement of PurposeNovember 18, 2024
2. 5.1.2Fostering PanelApril 5, 2024
3. 5.1.3Persons Disqualified from FosteringApril 5, 2024
4. 5.1.4Assessment and Approvals of Foster CarersMay 20, 2025
5. 5.1.5Smoking Policy and GuidanceNovember 18, 2024
6. 5.1.6Conflict of Interest in FosteringApril 5, 2024
7. 5.1.7Exemptions and Extensions/Variations to Foster Carer ApprovalApril 5, 2024
8. 5.1.8Supervision, Support and Training of Foster CarersNovember 18, 2024
9. 5.1.9Training and Development of Foster CarersApril 5, 2024
10. 5.1.10Review and Termination of Approval of Foster CarersApril 5, 2024
11. 5.1.11Allegations Against Foster CarersMay 20, 2026
12. 5.1.12Foster Carer HandbookNovember 18, 2025
13. 5.1.13Capital Programme Assistance to CarersApril 5, 2024
14. 5.1.14Wakefield Fostering Service Skills Payment SchemeNovember 18, 2025
15. 5.1.15Foster Carer AllowancesApril 5, 2024
16. 5.1.16Early Permanence Placements (One Adoption)

5.2Adoption and Permanence Services

1. 5.2.1Adoption SupportNovember 18, 2025
2. 5.2.2Adoption ReviewsNovember 18, 2025
3. 5.2.3Adoption Case Records
   Updated
   May 20, 2026
4. 5.2.4One Adoption West Yorkshire Statement of Purpose
5. 5.2.5Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters (One Adoption)
6. 5.2.6Adoption Panel (One Adoption)
7. 5.2.7The Child's Journey - Placement for Adoption (One Adoption)
8. 5.2.8Monitoring and Supervision of Adoptive Placements (One Adoption)
9. 5.2.9Disruption of Adoptive Placements (One Adoption)
10. 5.2.10Allegations Against Prospective Adopters and in Relation to Children Placed for Adoption or Already Adopted (One Adoption)
11. 5.2.11Inter Country Policy (One Adoption)
12. 5.2.12Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case Records (One Adoption)
13. 5.2.13Intermediary Services (One Adoption)
14. 5.2.14Life Story Books Guidance (One Adoption)
15. 5.2.15Later Life Letters (One Adoption)
16. 5.2.16Early Permanence Placements (One Adoption)
17. 5.2.17Adoption Strategy: Achieving Excellence Everywhere

5.3Special Guardianship

1. 5.3.1Applications for Special Guardianship OrdersNovember 18, 2025
2. 5.3.2Court Reports in Placement Order Applications and Adoption / Special Guardianship GuidanceApril 5, 2024

6.Appendices

1. 6.0.1Ofsted Inspection FrameworkMay 20, 2025
2. 6.0.2Working Together to Safeguard Children
3. 6.0.3Amendments