Amendments

In December 2025, this chapter was extensively revised. The guidance has been updated following recent legal precedents. Links to additional information has also been updated.

In November 2025, information was added from How Local Authorities Can Help Young Carers (Ofsted Blog), and additional resources were added to Further Information.

In November 2025, this chapter was updated in light of the Government guidance ‘Report the death or serious harm of a child or care leaver’, which has been 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, cared for children and care leavers. The Serious Incident Notification Guide for local authorities has been added to this chapter.

This chapter was revised in November 2025 to include information from the Criminal Injuries Compensation: A Guide.

In November 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 updated in November 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.

This chapter was revised in November 2025.

In November 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, and 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 November 2025 to include information for the Restraint and restrictive practices: positive environments for children – Ofsted: social care.

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

In May 2025, information 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, from Good decisions: supporting children aged 16 and 17 who need help when they are homeless (GOV.UK) and a section was added around Domestic Abuse and Homelessness.

This chapter was updated in May 2025 when the schedule of retention was updated.

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

In May 2025, Section 15, Resolving Disagreements was updated in line with case law.

In May 2025, this new chapter was added replacing the previous link, and name changed from 'Local Protocol for Assessment'.

This chapter was updated in May 2025 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets (GOV.UK) in the Related Guidance Section.

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

This chapter was updated in May 2025 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets (GOV.UK).

This chapter was updated in May 2025.

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

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

This chapter was revised in May 2025 in line with How Local Authorities and Children’s Homes Can Achieve Stability and Permanence for Children with Complex Needs (Ofsted). In Section 2.1, Additional Considerations Where a Child Has Multiple Needs information was added about how to access pre-application advice on caring for children with complex needs (Ofsted). If you are thinking about opening a children’s social care service for children with complex needs.

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