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Working Together To Safeguard Children 2026 Update.

The Mental Health Act 2025 Reforms.

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Contents

Please note: In Cornwall, we say 'Home' but the phrase 'Placement' is used in these procedures, as this is how it is referred to in legislation and regulation.

Please note: The manual has changed from using the term CAMHS and has replaced this throughout with: CYPMHS (Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services).

Cornwall Local Protocols for Assessments and Support

Cornwall Local Guidance: Family and Friends Policy, Local Offer for Care Leavers, Local Offer for SEND and Sufficiency Strategy

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1.All Children

1.1Policy, Values and Principles

  1. 1.1.1Children's Services Policies, Values and Principles October 21, 2024
  2. 1.1.2Children's Consultation and ParticipationApril 3, 2024
  3. 1.1.3Equality and DiversityJuly 25, 2022

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

  1. 1.2.1Early Help Framework October 21, 2024
  2. 1.2.2Threshold Document - Continuum of Help and SupportOctober 21, 2025
  3. 1.2.3Family Networks and Family Group Decision MakingOctober 21, 2024
  4. 1.2.4Capacity and ConsentOctober 21, 2025
  5. 1.2.5Early Intervention: Policy and Provision (House of Commons Library)

1.3Children's Social Care - Assessment and Planning

  1. 1.3.1Contacts and ReferralsOctober 21, 2025
  2. 1.3.2AssessmentsOctober 21, 2025
  3. 1.3.3Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47)October 21, 2024
  4. 1.3.4Local Protocol for Assessment (Local Resources)
  5. 1.3.5Multi-Agency Safeguarding Children Procedures
  6. 1.3.6Allocation of Work and Transfer between Teams (Local Resources)

1.4Child in Need

  1. 1.4.1Child in Need Plans and ReviewsOctober 21, 2024

1.5Legal Proceedings

  1. 1.5.1Applications for Emergency Protection OrdersApril 3, 2024
  2. 1.5.2Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline
    Updated
    April 2, 2026
  3. 1.5.3Legal Gateway/Planning MeetingsOctober 21, 2024
  4. 1.5.4Disclosure of Information between Family and Criminal Agencies and Jurisdictions: 2024 Protocol
  5. 1.5.5Cross-border child protection cases: the 1996 Hague Convention (DfE)
  6. 1.5.6Family 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.

1.6Complaints and Whistleblowing

  1. 1.6.1Complaints and RepresentationsMay 16, 2023
  2. 1.6.2Whistleblowing (Local Resources)

1.7Notifications

  1. 1.7.1Death or Serious Injury to a Child, Looked After, Child in Need or Care Leaver Up to and Including the Age of 24October 21, 2025

2.Case Management and Recording

  1. 2.0.1Recording Policy and Guidelines
    Updated
    April 2, 2026
  2. 2.0.2Case Records and Retention
    Updated
    April 2, 2026
  3. 2.0.3Access to Records/Subject Access Requests
    Updated
    April 2, 2026
  4. 2.0.4Confidentiality PolicyOctober 21, 2024
  5. 2.0.5Electronic Recording of Meetings and ConversationsMay 16, 2023
  6. 2.0.6Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding StaffOctober 21, 2024
  7. 2.0.7Storage of Data on Mobile DevicesApril 3, 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 DisabilitiesApril 3, 2025
  2. 3.1.2Personal Budgets and Direct PaymentsOctober 21, 2024
  3. 3.1.3Short BreaksApril 2, 2026
  4. 3.1.4Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential SettingsOctober 21, 2025
  5. 3.1.5Children and Young People’s Continuing Care National FrameworkOctober 21, 2024

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 SlaveryApril 3, 2025
  2. 3.3.2Families with No Recourse to Public Funds
    Updated
    April 2, 2026

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; and Duty to ReferOctober 21, 2025

3.5Family and Friends Care

  1. 3.5.1Kinship CareOctober 21, 2025
  2. 3.5.2Private FosteringOctober 21, 2024

3.6Young Carers

  1. 3.6.1Young CarersOctober 21, 2025

3.7Relinquished Children

  1. 3.7.1Relinquished ChildrenApril 2, 2026

3.8Mental Health

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

4.Looked After Children

4.1Decision to Look After and Care Planning

  1. 4.1.1Local Authority's Sufficiency Duty - Accommodation for Children in CareOctober 21, 2025
  2. 4.1.2Decision to Look AfterOctober 21, 2024
  3. 4.1.3Care PlanningOctober 21, 2024
  4. 4.1.4Ceasing to Look After a ChildOctober 21, 2025
  5. 4.1.5Permanence Planning GuidanceOctober 21, 2024
  6. 4.1.6Placement Planning and Disruption MeetingsOctober 21, 2024
  7. 4.1.7Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Children in CareOctober 21, 2025
  8. 4.1.8Risk Assessment and PlanningApril 2, 2026
  9. 4.1.9Providing Personalised CareMarch 23, 2022
  10. 4.1.10NICE Guideline: Looked After Children and Young People

4.2Placements

  1. 4.2.1Placements with ParentsOctober 21, 2025
  2. 4.2.2Placements with Connected PersonsApril 2, 2026
  3. 4.2.3Placements in Foster CareOctober 21, 2024
  4. 4.2.4Placements in Residential CareOctober 21, 2024
  5. 4.2.5Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare GroundsOctober 21, 2024
  6. 4.2.6Out of Area PlacementsOctober 20, 2023
  7. 4.2.7Placements Outside England and WalesApril 26, 2023
  8. 4.2.8Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation
    Updated
    April 2, 2026
  9. 4.2.9Notifications from Other Local Authorities/Placement ProvidersMay 16, 2023
  10. 4.2.10Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential WorkersApril 2, 2026
  11. 4.2.11Placements in Other ArrangementsApril 3, 2024
  12. 4.2.12Health and Safety
    Updated
    April 2, 2026

4.3Monitoring and Reviews

  1. 4.3.1Social Worker Visits to Children in CareMay 16, 2023
  2. 4.3.2Advocacy and Independent VisitorsMay 16, 2023
  3. 4.3.3Looked After ReviewsApril 3, 2025
  4. 4.3.4Appointment and Role of Children's Rights Advocate (CRA)May 16, 2023
  5. 4.3.5Secure Accommodation (Criteria) ReviewsApril 5, 2023
  6. 4.3.6Notifications of Significant EventsOctober 21, 2025

4.4Contact and Overnight Stays

  1. 4.4.1Contact with Parents/Adults and SiblingsApril 3, 2025
  2. 4.4.2Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays)April 2, 2026

4.5Education, 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 21, 2024
  2. 4.5.2Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UKOctober 21, 2025
  3. 4.5.3Leisure ActivitiesApril 26, 2023

4.6Health and Wellbeing

  1. 4.6.1Health Care Assessments and Plans
    Updated
    April 2, 2026
  2. 4.6.2Personal Care and RelationshipsApril 26, 2023
  3. 4.6.3Positive Relationships and Behaviour Support
    Updated
    April 2, 2026
  4. 4.6.4Restrictive Physical Intervention and Restraint (Local Resources)

4.7Change of Name and Marriage/Civil Partnership

  1. 4.7.1Change of Name of a Child in CareApril 3, 2024
  2. 4.7.2Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Child in CareOctober 20, 2023

4.8Leaving Care and Transition

  1. 4.8.1Leaving Care and Transition
    Updated
    April 2, 2026
  2. 4.8.2Staying PutOctober 21, 2025
  3. 4.8.3Financial Arrangements for Care Leavers (Local Resources)

4.9Children Involved in the Youth Justice System

  1. 4.9.1Children in Care and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services
    Updated
    April 2, 2026
  2. 4.9.2Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Children in Care and Young People in CustodyOctober 21, 2025
  3. 4.9.3Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National GuidanceOctober 21, 2025

5.Fostering and Adoption

5.1Fostering Services

  1. 5.1.1Fostering PanelJuly 26, 2022
  2. 5.1.2Persons Disqualified from FosteringJuly 26, 2022
  3. 5.1.3Assessment and Approvals of Foster CarersOctober 21, 2025
  4. 5.1.4Exemptions and Extensions/Variations to Foster Carer ApprovalJuly 26, 2022
  5. 5.1.5Supervision and Support of Foster CarersApril 2, 2026
  6. 5.1.6Review and Termination of Approval of Foster CarersMay 16, 2023
  7. 5.1.7Allegations Against Foster CarersApril 2, 2026
  8. 5.1.8Training and Development of Foster CarersMay 16, 2023
  9. 5.1.9Adopt South West Procedures Manual, Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters
  10. 5.1.10Adopt South West - Adopt South West is a partnership of councils (Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay). Please see the Adopt South West Procedures Manual for the partnership.

5.2Adoption and Permanence Services

  1. 5.2.1Recruitment, Assessment and Approval of Prospective AdoptersOctober 21, 2025
  2. 5.2.2Adoption PanelOctober 20, 2023
  3. 5.2.3Placement for Adoption
    Updated
    April 2, 2026
  4. 5.2.4Adoption Support
    Updated
    April 2, 2026
  5. 5.2.5Monitoring and Supervision of Adoptive PlacementsApril 26, 2023
  6. 5.2.6Adoption ReviewsMay 16, 2023
  7. 5.2.7Disruption of Adoptive PlacementsApril 5, 2023
  8. 5.2.8Allegations Against Prospective Adopters and in Relation to Children Placed for Adoption or Already AdoptedApril 2, 2026
  9. 5.2.9Inter Country AdoptionOctober 21, 2024
  10. 5.2.10Non Agency AdoptionApril 26, 2023
  11. 5.2.11Adoption Case Records
    Updated
    April 2, 2026
  12. 5.2.12Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case Records
    Updated
    April 2, 2026
  13. 5.2.13Intermediary ServicesJuly 26, 2022
  14. 5.2.14Life Story Books GuidanceMay 16, 2023
  15. 5.2.15Later Life LettersApril 26, 2023
  16. 5.2.16Early Permanence: Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective AdoptersOctober 20, 2023
  17. 5.2.17Adoption Strategy: Achieving Excellence Everywhere

5.3Special Guardianship

  1. 5.3.1Applications for Special Guardianship Orders
    Updated
    April 2, 2026
  2. 5.3.2Court Reports in Placement Order Applications and Adoption/Special Guardianship GuidanceApril 3, 2024

6.Contacts, List of Agency Decision Makers and Appendices

  1. 6.0.1List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated OfficersOctober 21, 2024
  2. 6.0.2Local Contacts (Local Resources)
  3. 6.0.3Working Together to Safeguard Children

Last Updated: April 2, 2026

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