Amendments

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.