Amendments

In June 2026, this chapter was updated to provide a link to the Information Commissioners Office ‘Better Records Together’.

In June 2026, this chapter was updated to provide a link to the Information Commissioners Office ‘Better Records Together’.

This chapter was refreshed in June 2026 to include information from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) and Coram BAAF: Initial Health Assessment (IHA) Delivery Standards.

Section 3, Security, Retention and Sharing of Records was updated in June 2026 in the light of the Records of Adopted and Care-experienced People - Good Practice Guidance for Record-keepers and Care Professionals (England and Wales) Guidance - published February 2024 which recommends that Adoption records where an Adoption Order is made should now have for "good practice" minimum retention of 125 years (date of birth + 125 years this was previously 100 years) or for "exemplary practice" for 150 years, or best practice would be permanent preservation/retention. A link to the Information Commissioners Office 'Better Records Together' was also added. 

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

In June 2026, a link to the children commissioners' guidance “What I wish my parents or carers knew…": A guide for parents and carers on managing children’s digital lives was added in Section 7, Online Safety.

This chapter was refreshed in June 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 June 2026, this chapter was updated to include the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.

Section 8.6, Where the Advice from the Guardian and the Local Authority assessment are fundamentally different in relation to the safety and best interests of a child was added in June 2026 to the chapter in line with practice guidance issued jointly by Cafcass and the ADCS.

In June 2026, information was added to Section 5, Child’s Adoption Medical about the NHS England key principles for ensuring continuous health records of adopted children.

In June 2026, information was added from How Local Authorities Can Help Young Carers (Ofsted Blog) and additional resources were added to Further Information.

In June 2026, information was added to Section 3.4, Health and Emotional Well-being as the government has extended health services and other entitlements to care leavers.

In June 2026, information from Good decisions: supporting children aged 16 and 17 who need help when they are homeless (GOV.UK) was added to Section 1, Prevention of Homelessness and Provision of Accommodation for 16 and 17 Year Old Young People who may be Homeless and/or Require Accommodation. A new Section 3.1, Domestic Abuse and Homelessness was added.

In June 2026, this chapter was updated to reflect the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 and a link to the Information Commissioners Office 'Better Records Together'.

In June 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.

In June 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 December 2025 to reflect Granting Leaves of Absence in Working Together to Improve School Attendance statutory guidance, which states that generally, the DfE does not consider a need or desire for a holiday or other absence for the purpose of leisure and recreation to be an exceptional circumstance for leave of absence.

In December 2025 information was added in Section 3 Examples of Adoption Support to highlight that the DfE has extended the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund initially until March 2027, with a new fair access limit of £3000.

This chapter was refreshed in December 2025

In December 2025 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.

This chapter was updated in December 2025 to include information from the Ministry of Justice Youth Remand Concordat.

In December 2025 links have been 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 refreshed in December 2025 to include information from the Criminal Injuries Compensation: A Guide.

In June 2025, Section 4.2, Procedural Fairness was updated in line with case-law.

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

This chapter was updated in June 2025, with a link to DBS guidance leaflets - GOV.UK in Section 4.4, Concluding the Investigation.

This chapter was refreshed in June 2025, in line with How Local Authorities and Children's Homes Can Achieve Stability and Permanence for Children with Complex Needs (Ofsted). The Stoke-on-Trent Placement Sufficiency Strategy for Children in Care was updated.

In June 2025, Section 15.1, Registering an appeal with the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Disability) was updated in line with case law.

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

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

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

This chapter was updated in June 2025, with a link to DBS guidance leaflets - GOV.UK in the Related Guidance Section. 

In June 2025, a link was added to Ofsted and CQC Joint Registration Guidance: Children's Homes and Health Care.

In June 2025, information was added in relation to Ofsted and CQC Joint Registration Guidance: Children's Homes and Health Care.