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Procedures

Please note: Wandsworth has joined with a number of other London Boroughs to form Adopt London South with the aim of quicker matching for children and improved support for adoptive parents across the region. As part of joining Adoption London South, Wandsworth's policy and procedures relating to some adoption chapters will be updated in accordance with Adopt London South's new guidance.

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1.Early Help

  1. 1.0.1Thresholds for InterventionJune 12, 2025
  2. 1.0.2Equality and DiversityJuly 25, 2022
  3. 1.0.3Children's Services Policies, Values and PrinciplesFebruary 6, 2025

2.Safeguarding Children

2.1Contact and Referral

  1. 2.1.1Contacts and ReferralsJune 12, 2025
  2. 2.1.2Capacity and ConsentJune 12, 2025
  3. 2.1.3Children Missing from Home and Care Policy and ProtocolJune 12, 2025
  4. 2.1.4Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers who Work with ChildrenFebruary 6, 2025

2.2Assessing Children's Needs

  1. 2.2.1AssessmentsJune 12, 2025
  2. 2.2.2Pre-Birth Assessments and Pre-Birth ConferencesJune 12, 2025
  3. 2.2.3Neglect StrategyJune 12, 2025
  4. 2.2.4Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47)February 6, 2025
  5. 2.2.5Financial Assistance Section 17 (s17) Children Act 1989February 6, 2025
  6. 2.2.6Prevention of Homelessness and Provision of Accommodation for 16 and 17 Year Olds who may be Homeless and/or Require Accommodation; and Duty to Refer
    Updated
    June 12, 2025
  7. 2.2.7Private FosteringFebruary 6, 2025
  8. 2.2.8Young CarersFebruary 6, 2025
  9. 2.2.9Relinquished ChildrenFebruary 6, 2025
  10. 2.2.10London Safeguarding Children Procedures
  11. 2.2.11Looking After Someone Else's Child (GOV.UK)

2.3Children from Abroad

  1. 2.3.1Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern SlaveryFebruary 6, 2025
  2. 2.3.2Families with No Recourse to Public FundsFebruary 6, 2025

2.4Child in Need of Help or Protection

  1. 2.4.1Child in Need Plans and ReviewsFebruary 6, 2025
  2. 2.4.2Multi Agency Risk Vulnerability Exploitation ProtocolJune 12, 2025
  3. 2.4.3Children Missing from Home and Care Policy and ProtocolJune 12, 2025
  4. 2.4.4London Safeguarding Children Procedures

2.5Deprivation of Liberty and Mental Capacity

  1. 2.5.1Deprivation of Liberty
  2. 2.5.2Mental Capacity

2.6Mental Health

  1. 2.6.1Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983May 21, 2024

2.7Legal Proceedings

  1. 2.7.1Applications for Emergency Protection OrdersFebruary 7, 2024
  2. 2.7.2Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law OutlineJune 23, 2022
  3. 2.7.3Legal Gateway/Planning MeetingsFebruary 6, 2025
  4. 2.7.4Disclosure of Information between Family and Criminal Agencies and Jurisdictions: 2024 Protocol
  5. 2.7.5Cross-border child protection cases: the 1996 Hague Convention (DfE)
  6. 2.7.6Family 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.

3.Supporting Disabled Children

  1. 3.0.1Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and DisabilitiesAugust 20, 2024
  2. 3.0.2Personal Budgets and Direct PaymentsMay 21, 2024
  3. 3.0.3Short BreaksFebruary 6, 2025
  4. 3.0.4Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential SettingsAugust 20, 2024
  5. 3.0.5Children and Young People’s Continuing Care National FrameworkMay 21, 2024
  6. 3.0.6Wandsworth's Eligibility Criteria for Disabled ChildrenFebruary 6, 2025

4.Looked After Children

4.1Decision Making and Care Planning

  1. 4.1.1Local Authority's Sufficiency Duty - Accommodation for Looked After Children
    Updated
    June 12, 2025
  2. 4.1.2Decision to Look AfterFebruary 6, 2025
  3. 4.1.3Care PlanningAugust 19, 2024
  4. 4.1.4Ceasing to Look After a ChildSeptember 19, 2023
  5. 4.1.5Permanence Planning GuidanceFebruary 6, 2025
  6. 4.1.6Wandsworth Family and Friends Care Policy
    Updated
    June 12, 2025
  7. 4.1.7Placement Planning and Disruption MeetingsFebruary 6, 2025
  8. 4.1.8Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After ChildrenFebruary 6, 2025
  9. 4.1.9Risk Assessment and PlanningMarch 23, 2022
  10. 4.1.10Family Networks and Family Group Decision MakingMarch 18, 2024
  11. 4.1.11NICE Guideline: Looked After Children and Young People
  12. 4.1.12Wandsworth Council Local Offer for Care Leavers

4.2Placements

  1. 4.2.1Placements with ParentsFebruary 6, 2025
  2. 4.2.2Placements with Connected Persons under Regulation 24February 6, 2025
  3. 4.2.3Placements in Foster CareFebruary 6, 2025
  4. 4.2.4Children Looked After in Residential CareSeptember 19, 2023
  5. 4.2.5Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare GroundsSeptember 19, 2023
  6. 4.2.6Out of Area PlacementsFebruary 6, 2025
  7. 4.2.7Placements Outside England and WalesFebruary 6, 2025
  8. 4.2.8Placements in Other ArrangementsSeptember 19, 2023
  9. 4.2.9Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention AccommodationFebruary 6, 2025
  10. 4.2.10Notifications of Significant EventsFebruary 6, 2025
  11. 4.2.11Notifications from Other Local Authorities/Placement ProvidersFebruary 6, 2025
  12. 4.2.12Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential WorkersFebruary 6, 2025
  13. 4.2.13Health and Safety
    Updated
    June 12, 2025

4.3Monitoring and Review

  1. 4.3.1Social Worker Visits to Looked After ChildrenFebruary 6, 2025
  2. 4.3.2Looked After ReviewsJanuary 17, 2025
  3. 4.3.3Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing OfficersFebruary 6, 2025
  4. 4.3.4Advocacy and Independent VisitorsFebruary 6, 2025
  5. 4.3.5Secure Accommodation (Criteria) ReviewsFebruary 6, 2025

4.4Contact and Overnight Stays

  1. 4.4.1Contact with Parents/Adults and SiblingsFebruary 6, 2025
  2. 4.4.2Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays)February 6, 2025

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 ChildrenJuly 25, 2023
  2. 4.5.2Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UKFebruary 6, 2025
  3. 4.5.3Leisure ActivitiesMarch 23, 2022

4.6Health and Wellbeing

  1. 4.6.1Health Care Assessments and PlansFebruary 6, 2025
  2. 4.6.2Personal Care and RelationshipsFebruary 6, 2025
  3. 4.6.3Positive Relationships and Behaviour ManagementMarch 17, 2023
  4. 4.6.4Restrictive Physical Intervention and RestraintFebruary 6, 2025
  5. 4.6.5Providing Personalised CareFebruary 6, 2025

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 TransitionFebruary 6, 2025
  2. 4.8.2Staying PutFebruary 6, 2025
  3. 4.8.3Financial Arrangements for Care LeaversFebruary 6, 2025

4.9Children Involved in the Youth Justice System

  1. 4.9.1Children Looked After and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice ServicesFebruary 6, 2025
  2. 4.9.2Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in CustodyFebruary 6, 2025
  3. 4.9.3Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National Guidance
    Updated
    June 12, 2025

5.Fostering, Adoption and Permanence

5.1Fostering Services

  1. 5.1.1Fostering and Permanence PanelFebruary 6, 2025
  2. 5.1.2Persons Disqualified from FosteringFebruary 6, 2025
  3. 5.1.3Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers
    Updated
    June 12, 2025
  4. 5.1.4Exemptions and Extensions/Variations to Foster Carer ApprovalFebruary 6, 2025
  5. 5.1.5Supervision and Support of Foster CarersFebruary 6, 2025
  6. 5.1.6Review and Termination of Approval of Foster CarersFebruary 6, 2025
  7. 5.1.7Allegations Against Foster Carers
    Updated
    June 12, 2025
  8. 5.1.8Training and Development of Foster CarersMarch 23, 2022

5.2Adoption and Permanence Services

  1. 5.2.1Recruitment, Assessment and Approval of Prospective Adopters
    Updated
    June 12, 2025
  2. 5.2.2Adoption and Permanence PanelFebruary 6, 2025
  3. 5.2.3Placement for AdoptionJune 12, 2025
  4. 5.2.4Adoption SupportFebruary 6, 2025
  5. 5.2.5Monitoring and Supervision of Adoptive PlacementsFebruary 6, 2025
  6. 5.2.6Adoption ReviewsFebruary 6, 2025
  7. 5.2.7Disruption of Adoptive PlacementsNovember 28, 2023
  8. 5.2.8Allegations Against Prospective Adopters and in Relation to Children Placed for Adoption or Already Adopted
    Updated
    June 12, 2025
  9. 5.2.9Inter Country AdoptionMay 21, 2024
  10. 5.2.10Non Agency AdoptionMay 21, 2024
  11. 5.2.11Adoption Case RecordsFebruary 8, 2022
  12. 5.2.12Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case RecordsFebruary 6, 2025
  13. 5.2.13Intermediary ServicesJuly 26, 2022
  14. 5.2.14Life Story 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 AdoptersFebruary 6, 2025
  17. 5.2.17Adoption Strategy: Achieving Excellence Everywhere

5.3Special Guardianship

  1. 5.3.1Applications for Special Guardianship OrdersFebruary 6, 2025
  2. 5.3.2Court Reports in Placement Order Applications and Adoption/Special Guardianship GuidanceFebruary 6, 2025

6.Case Management and Recording

6.1Recording Policy

  1. 6.1.1Recording Policy and GuidelinesSeptember 19, 2023
  2. 6.1.2Records ManagementFebruary 6, 2025
  3. 6.1.3Access to Records/Subject Access RequestsNovember 27, 2024
  4. 6.1.4Confidentiality PolicyMay 21, 2024
  5. 6.1.5Electronic Recording of Meetings and ConversationsFebruary 6, 2025
  6. 6.1.6Accessing Service User Social Media SitesFebruary 6, 2025
  7. 6.1.7Storage of Data on Mobile DevicesNovember 27, 2024

6.2Notifications

  1. 6.2.1Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After, Child in Need or Care Leaver Up to and Including the Age of 24)February 6, 2025
  2. 6.2.2Senior Management Need to KnowFebruary 6, 2025
  3. 6.2.3Notifications of Significant EventsFebruary 6, 2025

6.3Supervision

  1. 6.3.1Supervision PolicyFebruary 6, 2025
  2. 6.3.2Management OversightFebruary 6, 2025

6.4Quality Assurance

  1. 6.4.1Quality Assurance FrameworkFebruary 6, 2025

6.5Complaints and Whistleblowing

  1. 6.5.1Complaints and RepresentationsFebruary 6, 2025

7.Contacts, List of Agency Decision Makers and Appendices

  1. 7.0.1Local ContactsFebruary 6, 2025
  2. 7.0.2List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated OfficersFebruary 6, 2025
  3. 7.0.3Ofsted Inspection FrameworkAugust 20, 2024
  4. 7.0.4Working Together to Safeguard Children
  5. 7.0.5Amendments

Last Updated: February 6, 2025

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