Amendments

In February 2024, information was added into Section 4, Care Orders and Supervisions Orders on a Care Plan of the Child Remaining at Home in relation to Supervision Orders, in line with Public Law Working Group (PLWG) Recommendations to Achieve Best Practice in the Child Protection and Family Justice Systems: Supervision Orders.

In February 2024, amendments were made to reflect case-law in relation to assessing legal capacity.

This chapter was updated in February 2024. Information in relation to the National Age Assessment Board was added into Section 4, Assessment.

Section 2, Ordinary Residence was updated in February 2024 in line with case law.

In February 2024, additional information was added about online safety.

Section 10, Use of Inherent Jurisdiction to Authorise a Placement Involving a Deprivation of Liberty was updated in February 2024 to include information from Guidance - Placing Children: Deprivation of Liberty Orders - guidance for providers, social workers and placement commissioners on placing children, subject to a deprivation of liberty order (DoL), in unregistered settings; and President of the Family Division Practice Guidance: Placements in Unregistered Children’s Homes in England or Unregistered Care Home Services in Wales.

This chapter was amended in February 2024 to note that with effect from 1 April 2023, the leaving care allowance increased from £2,000 to £3,000. 

In February 2024, this chapter was refreshed and a link was added to National Early Permanence Practice Standards (Coram Centre for Early Permanence). 

This chapter was amended in February 2024 to include information from Special Educational Needs and Disability: Improving Local Authority Decision Making - Report of the Administrative Justice Council’s Working Group on Special Educational Needs and Disability. Information in relation to legal aid for foster carers and prospective adoptive parents in First Tier Tribunal appeals was also added into Section 15, Resolving Disagreements.

In February 2024, this chapter was refreshed throughout.

In February 2024, this chapter was updated to include information from Guidance - Placing Children: Deprivation of Liberty Orders - guidance for providers, social workers and placement commissioners on placing children, subject to a deprivation of liberty order (DoL), in unregistered settings; and President of the Family Division Practice Guidance: Placements in Unregistered Children’s Homes in England or Unregistered Care Home Services in Wales.

In February 2024, this chapter was updated throughout to reflect supported accommodation for 16-17 year olds becoming regulated by Ofsted and is offered as a replacement chapter.

Section 5.2.5, Providing Support was updated in February 2024 to reflect the Home Office increase in financial support to individuals waiting to find out if they will be given asylum in the UK.

In February 2024, new links were added into Further Information.