Using this Manual
This site contains all of the key policies and procedures for Wakefield Residential Homes, listed in 'Contents' at the top of the screen.
When you have read this guide, start by familiarising yourself with the Contents List and the Procedures listed under each section.
You will see that our key policy statements are in Residential Child Care - Key Principles; the other sections primarily contain procedures and/or guidance.
All efforts are taken to ensure that the procedures are up to date; if you discover any errors including typing or spelling mistakes, please notify us via the 'register for updates' function on the top of the screen.
If you are unable to find a Procedure you require, consult your manager or use the search function on the top of the screen.
This manual will be updated on a regular basis and a summary of the changes can be accessed via the 'Amendments' button on the Home page. You will also find the detail of the next planned manual update in this section.
If you would like to suggest a change to the procedures manual discuss your suggestion with your line manager in the first instance.
The next scheduled update will go live in May 2024.
This manual contains a local resource section which can be accessed via the navigation bar. This library is populated and maintained locally. If there is a resource that you think should be added talk in the first instance to your manager.
Most chapters contain a summary of the key Regulations (including Quality Standards) that are relevant, together with links to a web enabled version of the Standards.
The manual is accessed by readers who may find terms that they are not familiar with. Therefore, a glossary of definitions is available via the 'Glossary' button on the Home page.
There is also a National Contacts resource populated with details of key national agencies and organisations likely to be relevant to procedures user.
We have tried to use consistent terminology throughout the Manual, as follows:
|
Home |
This is a generic term which means Children's Home |
|
'Child' or 'Young Person' |
Both these terms are used to mean any child under the age of 18 |
|
Home's or Registered Manager |
This is the registered manager for the home, sometimes the term 'Manager' is used. |
|
Line Manager |
This is used to denote the first line manager for the home; the person who supervises the Home's Manager. |
|
Staff or Carer |
Means all Staff and Carers whether employed or not |
|
Key Worker |
Members of staff that have special responsibility for children in the home. |
|
Parent |
Means person with parent or person with Parental Responsibility |
|
Regulatory Authority |
Regulatory Authority is the generic term used in this manual to describe the independent regulatory body responsible for inspecting and regulating services e.g. Ofsted |
|
Social Worker |
This means the worker allocated to the child/family. If there is no allocated worker, the Duty Social Worker or Team Manager is responsible. |
|
Placing Authority |
Placing Authority means the local authority/agency responsible for placing the child or commissioning the service (usually Children's Services - see below). |
|
Children's Services, Children's Social Care Services |
All these terms are used in this manual. In effect they mean the same thing. In some areas, Children's Services still exist, but in most areas they have replaced Children's Services with Children's Social Care Services - which normally provide Children's Social Care and education services within the local authority. |
|
Placement Plan |
The term 'Placement Plan' is the generic term meaning the home's own plan for the child/young person. The term 'Placement Information Record' is an Integrated Children's Service (ICS) record, generated by the Placing Authority. |
Every effort has been taken to ensure regulatory compliance. If you discover any errors or omissions, please alert your manager.
We recommend that you register with us to automatically receive notification when this manual is updated, and to receive a monthly newsletter containing articles which may be of interest. Click on the 'Register for Updates' button on the home screen, to complete and send your details to us.
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The content of this website can be accessed, printed and downloaded in an unaltered form, on a temporary basis, for personal study or reference purposes. Content printed or downloaded may not be sold, licensed, transferred, copied or reproduced in whole or in part in any manner or in or on any media to any person without the prior written consent of tri.x and Wakefield Council.
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The Manual is intended to be viewed on line to ensure only the most up-to-date version of procedures are being used. It will be updated regularly so, in the unlikely event there is a requirement for hard copies they should be destroyed after 72 hours.
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Last Updated: November 16, 2023
v13
