Amendments

This chapter was refreshed in February 2026. The Government guidance Report the death or serious harm of a child or care leaver was updated to provide what information is needed when reporting incidents involving children who have died or been seriously harmed and abuse or neglect is known or suspected, looked after children and care leavers. The Serious Incident Notification Guide for local authorities has been added to this chapter.

In February 2026, this chapter was reviewed and updated in line with local procedure.

This chapter was refreshed in February 2026, to include information from the Criminal Injuries Compensation: A Guide.

In February 2026, links were added to Youth Remand Concordat - Guidance and principles to follow a joint approach throughout the youth remand process for local and national partners and Delivering the best for girls in custody - an independent review into placements and care for girls in the Children and Young People Secure Estate.

This chapter was updated in February 2026, to include information from the Ministry of Justice Youth Remand Concordat. In addition, this chapter was updated with information from the Youth Justice Charter - know your rights in the youth justice system. The Youth Justice Charter sets out what children can expect at each stage of the youth justice system - helping them understand who does what, what their rights are, and what to do if the standards are not met.

In February 2026, this chapter was reviewed and updated in line with local procedure.

This chapter was updated in February 2026, to include information for the Restraint and restrictive practices: positive environments for children - Ofsted: social care.

This chapter was refreshed in February 2026.

In February 2026, this chapter was updated.

In February 2026, this chapter was updated with guidance from the Youth Remand Concordat which gives guidance and principles for Local Authorities and key agencies in working with children through the remand process. In February 2026, this chapter was updated with information from the Youth Justice Charter - know your rights in the youth justice system. The Youth Justice Charter sets out what children can expect at each stage of the youth justice system - helping them understand who does what, what their rights are, and what to do if the standards are not met. 

This chapter was updated in September 2025.

In September 2025, this chapter was updated.

In August 2025, a link was added to the Exploitation Screening Tool in the Related Information and Guidance section of this chapter. 

This chapter was reviewed and updated in line with local procedure in August 2025. 

The documents in this chapter were reviewed and updated in August 2025.

This chapter was updated in August 2025.

In August 2025, this chapter was updated.

In August 2025, this chapter was added to the manual.

This chapter was updated in August 2025.

In August 2025, Process Flowchart and Aftercare Plan was added to the Relevant Guidance section of the chapter.

In August 2025, this chapter was revised in line with updated government guidance.

This chapter was updated in August 2025, to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets - GOV.UK in the Related Guidance Section.

This chapter was updated in August 2025, to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets - GOV.UK. in Section 4.5, Concluding the Investigation.

In August 2025, links were added to additional sources of guidance.

This chapter was updated in August 2025.

In August 2025, this chapter was updated.

In August 2025, updates were made to reflect the Homelessness Code of Guidance - Chapter 22: Care Leavers (updated 3 May 2024) which sets out the expectation that authorities should have in place joint protocols which clearly outline jointly held corporate parenting responsibilities for care leavers. See Section 8, Joint Housing Protocols for Care Leavers.

In August 2025, a link to Reunification Process was added to the Relevant Guidance section of this chapter. 

In August 2025, information was added into Section 9, Accommodation, Bedroom Space and Sharing in relation to bunk beds.