Contents

1.All Children

1.1Policy, Values and Principles

1. 1.1.1Children's Services Policies, Values and Principles March 14, 2025
2. 1.1.2Children's Consultation and ParticipationMarch 14, 2025
3. 1.1.3Supervision - Supporting Staff in a Challenging Social Care EnvironmentUnder Review
4. 1.1.4Social Work Practice StandardsUnder Review
5. 1.1.5Managers Practice StandardsUnder Review
6. 1.1.6Quality Assurance and Performance Management FrameworkMarch 14, 2025
7. 1.1.7Equality and DiversityMarch 14, 2025

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

1. 1.2.1What is Early Help?March 14, 2025
2. 1.2.2Wirral Safeguarding Children Partnership: Multi-Agency ThresholdsMarch 14, 2025
3. 1.2.3Process for Early Help TransfersUnder Review
4. 1.2.4Step Across ArrangementsMarch 14, 2025
5. 1.2.5Capacity and ConsentSeptember 18, 2025
6. 1.2.6Early Intervention: Policy and Provision (House of Commons Library) - This Report focuses on the development of early intervention policies in England and programmes directed at parents and children from conception up to age five years. It explores their evidence-base and their impact. It also includes suggestions for further reading.

1.3Sensory Services

1. 1.3.1Sensory Service Braille PolicyMarch 14, 2025
2. 1.3.2Sensory Services Communication Policy Hearing SupportMarch 14, 2025
3. 1.3.3Sensory Service Early Years Policy Hearing SupportMarch 14, 2025
4. 1.3.4Sensory Services Early Years PolicyMarch 14, 2025
5. 1.3.5Sensory Services Procedure for dealing with EHCP Information RequestsMarch 14, 2025
6. 1.3.6Sensory Services Mobility PolicyMarch 14, 2025
7. 1.3.7Sensory Services Transition PolicyMarch 14, 2025

1.4Children's Social Care - Assessment and Planning

1. 1.4.1Contacts and ReferralsMarch 17, 2025
2. 1.4.2AssessmentsMarch 14, 2025
3. 1.4.3Referral to Emergency Duty TeamMarch 27, 2026
4. 1.4.4One Minute Guide: Wirral Emergency Duty Team for Children's ServicesMarch 14, 2025
5. 1.4.5Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47)March 14, 2025
6. 1.4.6Level 4 Pre-Birth Assessment and Planning ProcedureMarch 14, 2025
7. 1.4.7Allocation of Work and Transfer Between TeamsMarch 14, 2025
8. 1.4.8Family Group ConferenceMarch 14, 2025
9. 1.4.9Family Networks and Family Group Decision MakingMarch 18, 2024
10. 1.4.10Wirral Safeguarding Children Partnership Procedures
11. 1.4.11North West Notification and Transfer of Children Subject of Child Protection Plans Across Local Authority Boundaries

1.5Children in Need and Child Protection

1. 1.5.1Children in Need ProcedureMarch 14, 2025
2. 1.5.2Developing the Child Protection PlanMarch 14, 2025
3. 1.5.3North West Children in Need Moving Across Local Authority Boundaries

1.6Legal Proceedings

1. 1.6.1Applications for Emergency Protection OrdersMarch 17, 2025
2. 1.6.2Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law OutlineJune 23, 2022
3. 1.6.3Legal Planning Meetings - Legal GatekeepingMarch 14, 2025
4. 1.6.4Supervision Orders and the Role of the IROMarch 14, 2025
5. 1.6.5Discharge of Care OrderMarch 14, 2025
6. 1.6.6Disclosure of Information between Family and Criminal Agencies and Jurisdictions: 2024 Protocol
7. 1.6.7Cross-border child protection cases: the 1996 Hague Convention (DfE)
8. 1.6.8North West Pre-Care and Care Proceedings Notification and Transfer Across Local Authority Boundaries
9. 1.6.9Family 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.

1.7Complaints and Whistleblowing

1. 1.7.1Complaints Policy and ProcedureMarch 14, 2025
2. 1.7.2Child Friendly Complaints and Comments Policy
   Updated
   March 27, 2026
3. 1.7.3WhistleblowingMarch 14, 2025
4. 1.7.4SEND Complaints PolicySeptember 18, 2025

1.8Notifications

1. 1.8.1Death or Serious Harm to a Child, Looked After, Child in Need or Care Leaver Up to and Including the Age of 24March 27, 2026

2.Case Management and Recording

1. 2.0.1Recording Policy and GuidelinesSeptember 19, 2023
2. 2.0.2Case Records and RetentionJanuary 16, 2025
3. 2.0.3Access to Records/Subject Access RequestsSeptember 18, 2025
4. 2.0.4Confidentiality PolicyMay 21, 2024
5. 2.0.5Electronic Recording of Meetings and ConversationsUnder Review
6. 2.0.6Use of Internet and Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding StaffMarch 14, 2025
7. 2.0.7Storage of Data on Mobile DevicesNovember 27, 2024
8. 2.0.8Producing Chronologies and Recording Significant EventsMarch 14, 2025
9. 2.0.9Issuing of Privacy Notices (Formally Fair Processing) in Children's Specialist ServicesMarch 14, 2025
10. 2.0.10Workload Management SchemeMarch 14, 2025
11. 2.0.11Managing Vexatious and Unreasonable CommunicationsMarch 14, 2025

3.Children in Particular Circumstances

3.1Children with Disabilities and Complex Health Needs

1. 3.1.1Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and DisabilitiesAugust 20, 2024
2. 3.1.2Wirral Council Procedures and Guidance for Social Care's Role Within the Education Health Care ProcessMarch 14, 2025
3. 3.1.3Education, Health and Care Plan Quality Assurance Framework
   Updated
   March 27, 2026
4. 3.1.4Direct PaymentsMay 21, 2024
5. 3.1.5Short BreaksMarch 17, 2025
6. 3.1.6Individual Budgets for Children and Young PeopleMarch 14, 2025
7. 3.1.7Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential SettingsSeptember 18, 2025

3.2Deprivation of Liberty and Mental Capacity

1. 3.2.1Deprivation of Liberty
2. 3.2.2Mental Capacity

3.3Children from Abroad

1. 3.3.1Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern SlaveryUnder Review
2. 3.3.2Families with No Recourse to Public FundsUnder Review

3.4Homelessness

1. 3.4.1Joint Protocol on the Provision of Accommodation for 16 and 17 Year Olds who are Homeless or Threatened with Homelessness
   Updated
   March 27, 2026

3.5Family and Friends Care and Private Fostering

1. 3.5.1Kinship CareSeptember 18, 2025
2. 3.5.2Private FosteringMarch 14, 2025
3. 3.5.3Private Fostering Statement of PurposeUnder Review
4. 3.5.4Private Fostering Guide for CarersMarch 14, 2025
5. 3.5.5Private Fostering Guide for ParentsMarch 14, 2025
6. 3.5.6Private Fostering Guide for ChildrenMarch 14, 2025

3.6Young Carers

1. 3.6.1Young CarersSeptember 18, 2025

3.7Relinquished Children

1. 3.7.1Relinquished ChildrenMarch 27, 2026

3.8Missing Children

1. 3.8.1Children and Families Who Go MissingMarch 14, 2025

3.9Child Sexual Exploitation

1. 3.9.1Child Sexual ExploitationMarch 14, 2025

3.10Mental Health

1. 3.10.1Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983May 21, 2024

4.Children Looked After

4.1Decision to Look After and Care Planning

1. 4.1.1Local Authority's Sufficiency Duty - Accommodation for Children Looked AfterSeptember 18, 2025
2. 4.1.2Decision to Look AfterMarch 14, 2025
3. 4.1.3Ceasing to Look After a ChildSeptember 19, 2023
4. 4.1.4Permanence Planning GuidanceMarch 17, 2025
5. 4.1.5Placement Planning and Disruption MeetingsMarch 17, 2025
6. 4.1.6Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After Children
   Updated
   March 27, 2026
7. 4.1.7Care Planning Meetings for Children Looked AfterMarch 14, 2025
8. 4.1.8NICE Guideline: Looked After Children and Young People

4.2Placements

1. 4.2.1Placements with ParentsMarch 14, 2025
2. 4.2.2Placements with Connected Carers (Reg 24 Placements)March 14, 2025
3. 4.2.3Placements in Foster CareMarch 14, 2025
4. 4.2.4Placements in Residential CareMarch 14, 2025
5. 4.2.5Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare GroundsMarch 17, 2025
6. 4.2.6Out of Area PlacementsMarch 14, 2025
7. 4.2.7Placements Outside England and WalesMarch 17, 2025
8. 4.2.8Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention AccommodationMarch 17, 2025
9. 4.2.9Notifications from Other Local Authorities/Placement ProvidersMarch 17, 2025
10. 4.2.10Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential WorkersMarch 14, 2025
11. 4.2.11Placement Stability, Procedure and GuidanceMarch 14, 2025
12. 4.2.12Children's Homes Regulation 44 Visits Guidance and ProceduresMarch 14, 2025
13. 4.2.13Placements in Other ArrangementsSeptember 19, 2023

4.3Monitoring and Reviews

1. 4.3.1Social Worker Visits to Children Looked AfterMarch 14, 2025
2. 4.3.2Advocacy and Independent VisitorsMarch 14, 2025
3. 4.3.3Looked After ReviewsMarch 17, 2025
4. 4.3.4Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing OfficersMarch 14, 2025
5. 4.3.5Secure Accommodation (Criteria) ReviewsMarch 14, 2025
6. 4.3.6Notifications of Significant EventsMarch 27, 2026

4.4Contact and Overnight Stays

1. 4.4.1Contact with Parents/Adults, Siblings and Connected PersonsMarch 17, 2025
2. 4.4.2Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays)March 14, 2025
3. 4.4.3Family Time: Policy, Procedure and AgreementMarch 14, 2025

4.5Education, School Trips and Holidays

1. 4.5.1Education of Children with a Social Worker, Looked After and Previously Looked AfterJuly 25, 2023
2. 4.5.2Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UKSeptember 18, 2025
3. 4.5.3Elective Home Education Policy
   Updated
   March 27, 2026
4. 4.5.4Special Educational Needs PolicyMarch 14, 2025
5. 4.5.5Special Educational Needs Complaints PolicyMarch 14, 2025

4.6Health and Wellbeing

1. 4.6.1Health Care Assessments and PlansMarch 17, 2025
2. 4.6.2Personal Care and RelationshipsJuly 26, 2022
3. 4.6.3Positive Relationships and Behaviour Support
   Updated
   March 27, 2026
4. 4.6.4Restrictive Physical Intervention and RestraintUnder Review
5. 4.6.5Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire ProcedureMarch 14, 2025
6. 4.6.6Drugs and Substance Use (Including Smoking)March 14, 2025
7. 4.6.7Medication ProceduresMarch 14, 2025
8. 4.6.8GP's, Dentists and OpticiansMarch 14, 2025
9. 4.6.9Sexual Health Policy for Staff Working with Young People Under 19 YearsMarch 14, 2025
10. 4.6.10Self-Harm and SuicideMarch 14, 2025
11. 4.6.11HIVMarch 27, 2026
12. 4.6.12Internet SafetyMarch 27, 2026

4.7Change of Name and Marriage/Civil Partnership

1. 4.7.1Change of Name of a Child Looked AfterMarch 14, 2025
2. 4.7.2Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Looked After ChildNovember 28, 2023

4.8Leaving Care and Transition

1. 4.8.1Leaving Care and TransitionMarch 17, 2025
2. 4.8.2Staying PutMarch 27, 2026
3. 4.8.3Financial Arrangements for Care LeaversMarch 17, 2025
4. 4.8.4Young People's Pathway PolicyMarch 17, 2025
5. 4.8.5Charter for Care Leavers (DfE)March 17, 2025
6. 4.8.6Wirral Council's Local Offer for Care LeaversMarch 17, 2025

4.9Children Involved in the Youth Justice System

1. 4.9.1Children Looked After and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice ServicesMarch 17, 2025
2. 4.9.2Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Children Looked After and Young People in CustodyMarch 17, 2025
3. 4.9.3Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National GuidanceSeptember 18, 2025
4. 4.9.4Probation Service Management of Young Adults Policy Framework
5. 4.9.5HMPPS Child Safeguarding Policy Framework

5.Fostering and Adoption

5.1Fostering Services

1. 5.1.1Statement of PurposeMarch 17, 2025
2. 5.1.2Fostering PolicyMarch 17, 2025
3. 5.1.3Fostering PanelMarch 17, 2025
4. 5.1.4Persons Disqualified from FosteringMarch 17, 2025
5. 5.1.5Assessment and Approvals of Foster CarersMay 21, 2024
6. 5.1.6Exemptions and Extensions/Variations to Foster Carer ApprovalMarch 17, 2025
7. 5.1.7Supervision and Support of Foster CarersMarch 17, 2025
8. 5.1.8Review and Termination of Approval of Foster CarersMarch 17, 2025
9. 5.1.9Allegations Against Foster CarersMarch 27, 2026
10. 5.1.10The Fostering Network: Principles and Protocol Governing the Transfer of Foster CarersMarch 17, 2025
11. 5.1.11Emergency Duty Team Service and Out of Hours Support to Foster CarersTo Follow
12. 5.1.12Foster Care AgreementMarch 17, 2025
13. 5.1.13Foster Carer Payment for Skills (FPS) Model and the Tasks, Skills, Competencies (TSC) FrameworkTo Follow
14. 5.1.14Payment for Skills Carer Progression GuidanceTo Follow
15. 5.1.15Foster Carer Annual Personal Development Plan (PDP) and ReviewMarch 17, 2025
16. 5.1.16Placement Planning and Disruption MeetingsMarch 17, 2025
17. 5.1.17Long Term Competencies Report Foster CarersMarch 17, 2025
18. 5.1.18Dogs and Pets Policy and GuidanceMarch 17, 2025
19. 5.1.19Guidance on Possession of Guns and WeaponsMarch 17, 2025
20. 5.1.20Safe Caring PolicyMarch 17, 2025
21. 5.1.21Consent to Medical Treatment in Foster Carer PlacementsMarch 17, 2025
22. 5.1.22Children's Bedroom GuidanceMarch 17, 2025
23. 5.1.23Guidance on Ex-Partners, Adult Children, Children of whom they have had Significant Care and Other ReferencesMarch 17, 2025
24. 5.1.24Safety in the Home for Foster CarersMarch 17, 2025
25. 5.1.25Foster Carer Household Safe Care PlanTo Follow
26. 5.1.26Pornography Guidelines for Foster Carers and AdoptersMarch 17, 2025
27. 5.1.27Social Media Information for Foster CarersMarch 17, 2025
28. 5.1.28Guidance for Foster Carers for Recording and Record KeepingMarch 17, 2025
29. 5.1.29Fostering Service Smoking Policy and GuidanceMarch 17, 2025
30. 5.1.30Foster Carers Supporting Educational PotentialMarch 17, 2025
31. 5.1.31Staying Put Information for Foster CarersTo Follow
32. 5.1.32Foster Carers Contacting the PoliceMarch 17, 2025
33. 5.1.33Fostering Services, Alcohol, Drugs and Solvents PolicyMarch 17, 2025
34. 5.1.34Assessment of a Partner for Single Foster CarersMarch 17, 2025
35. 5.1.35Wirral Parent and Child Fostering PolicyMarch 17, 2025
36. 5.1.36Disability Living Allowance - Fostered Children and Foster CarersMarch 17, 2025
37. 5.1.37Fostering Delegated ResponsibilityMarch 17, 2025

5.2Adoption and Permanence Services

1. 5.2.1Assessment and Approvals of Prospective AdoptersMarch 17, 2025
2. 5.2.2Adoption PanelMarch 17, 2025
3. 5.2.3Placement for Adoption and MatchingSeptember 18, 2025
4. 5.2.4Adoption Support
   Updated
   March 27, 2026
5. 5.2.5Monitoring and Supervision of Adoptive PlacementsMarch 17, 2025
6. 5.2.6Adoption ReviewsMarch 17, 2025
7. 5.2.7Disruption of Adoptive PlacementsMarch 17, 2025
8. 5.2.8Allegations Against Prospective Adopters and in Relation to Children Placed for Adoption or Already AdoptedSeptember 18, 2025
9. 5.2.9Inter Country AdoptionMay 21, 2024
10. 5.2.10Non Agency AdoptionMay 21, 2024
11. 5.2.11Adoption Case RecordsMarch 17, 2025
12. 5.2.12Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case RecordsMarch 17, 2025
13. 5.2.13Intermediary ServicesMarch 17, 2025
14. 5.2.14Life Journey Books GuidanceMay 21, 2024
15. 5.2.15Later Life LettersMay 21, 2024
16. 5.2.16Early Permanence: Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective AdoptersMarch 17, 2025
17. 5.2.17 Adoption in Merseyside for further information regarding Adoption Services in Wirral
18. 5.2.18Adoption Strategy: Achieving Excellence Everywhere

5.3Special Guardianship

1. 5.3.1Applications for Special Guardianship Orders
   Updated
   March 27, 2026
2. 5.3.2Court Reports in Placement Order Applications and Adoption/Special Guardianship GuidanceSeptember 23, 2024

6.Appendices

1. 6.0.1Ofsted Inspection FrameworkAugust 20, 2024
2. 6.0.2Working Together to Safeguard Children
3. 6.0.3Amendments