Government Guidance
Guidance from the government for professionals:
Working Together sets out how organisations and individuals should work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people in accordance with the Children Act 1989 and the Children Act 2004. The March update replaces all previous versions of Working Together, including the Chapter 8 update released December 2009
Working Together - Government Response to Consultation - March 2010 (.pdf format, 1Mb)
This is the Government response to the Working Together Consultation and forms the basis of the new Working Together (see above).
Lord Laming: one year on (.pdf format, 1Mb)
This is a progress report on the work so far done and the work yet to do as a result of Lord Laming’s report, The Protection of Children in England: A Progress Report, published in March 2009.
Youth Taskforce - Progress Report (.pdf format, 2Mb)
This progress report showcases some of the excellent work that is making a huge difference to young people and their families.
Social Work Task Force: facing up to the task. (.pdf format, 497Kb)
This report sets out interim advice to the Government about the state of social work in England at present, and the nature and content of the comprehensive reform programme needed.
Third sector strategy and action plan: intentions into action (.pdf format, 2Mb)
This new DCSF strategy and action plan builds on what has been achieved since 2007. It describes how the DCSF proposes to work more closely with the third sector and sets out the main focus for their shared goals and work over the coming months and years within the framework of Every Child Matters.
Preparing for Care and Supervision Proceedings (.pdf format, 424Kb)
A best practice guide for use by all professionals involved with children and families pre-proceedings and in preparation for applications made under section 31 of the Children Act 1989
Joint Chief Inspectors Report - one year on (.pdf format, 611Kb)
This document sets out the Government’s annual update on progress made against the specific recommendations set out in the joint Chief Inspectors’ report which was published in July 2008.
Safeguarding Disabled Children – practice guidance (.pdf format, 474Kb)
This practice guidance updates an earlier resource published in 2006 on safeguarding disabled children and sets out how all agencies and professionals should work together to safeguard and promote children’s welfare help.
Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation (.pdf format, 770Kb)
This guidance document sets out how organisations and individuals should work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people from sexual exploitation.
NICE Guidelines - When to suspect child maltreatment (.pdf format, 230Kb)
This is a quick reference guide that summarises the recommendations NICE has made to the NHS in ‘When to suspect child maltreatment’.
Understanding Serious Case Reviews and their Impact - A Biennial Analysis of Serious Case Reviews 2005-2007 (.pdf format, 503Kb)
This is the 4th biennial analysis of reviews notified during the period April 2005 - March 2007. This national study has explored the ways in which serious case reviews can help to understand more about the children at the centre of the reviews, the families within which they were living and professional interventions to protect them.
The Roles and Responsibilities of the Lead Member for Children’s Services and the Director of Children’s Services (.pdf format, 525Kb)
This guidance is intended to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the Director of Children’s Services and Lead Member, within an overall framework of local authority accountability and leadership, to improve children’s well being.It aims to share good practice and outlines progress already made.
Review of Elective Home Education (.pdf format, 973Kb)
This review looks at the arrangements for home education in England. In particular, it investigates whether there are any barriers to local authorities and other public agencies in effectively carrying out their safeguarding responsibilities in relation to home educated children.
