Amendments

2025

August 2025

Managing Allegations Against Staff and Foster Carers	This chapter was updated in August 2025 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets - GOV.UK.
Internet, Photographs and Mobile Phones	In August 2025, information was added into Section 3, Risks in relation to sexually coerced extortion.
Staffing and Safe Recruitment of Staff	This chapter was updated in August 2025 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets - GOV.UK in Section 2.3, Disclosure and Barring Service Checks.
Health and Safety in the Foster Home	In August 2025, information was added into Section 8, Accommodation, Bedroom Space and Sharing in relation to bunk beds.
Child Criminal Exploitation and County Lines (including Trafficking and Modern Slavery)	This chapter was refreshed in August 2025. A new section was added to the chapter on Child Financial Exploitation.
Smoking	In August 2025, a link was added to Young People and Vaping (NHS).

February 2025

Values and Principles	In February 2025, this chapter was refreshed locally where required.
Staffing and Safe Recruitment of Staff	In February 2025, this chapter was refreshed locally where required.
Equality and Diversity	In February 2025, this chapter was refreshed locally where required.
Information Sharing and Confidentiality	In February 2025, this chapter was refreshed locally where required.
Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation	In February 2025, this chapter was refreshed locally where required.
Staff Supervision and Support	This chapter was refreshed locally in February 2025.
Smoking	This chapter was refreshed locally in February 2025.
Qualifications, Training and Development of Foster Carers	This chapter was refreshed locally in February 2025.
Medication and First Aid	In February 2025, this chapter was refreshed locally where required.
Parent and Child Arrangements	This chapter was refreshed locally where required in February 2025.
Assessment of Pets	In February 2025, this chapter was refreshed locally where required.
Recruitment, Assessment and Approval of Foster Carers	In February 2025, information was added to Section 5, Checks, with details on how to request information about an applicant from Ofsted. Local amendments were also made.
Alcohol, Drugs and Solvents	In February 2025, this chapter was refreshed locally where required.
Fostering Panel	This chapter was refreshed locally in February 2025.
Reviews and Meetings	This chapter was refreshed locally in February 2025.
Preparing Young People for Adulthood and Leaving Care	This chapter was refreshed locally in February 2025.
Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers	This chapter was refreshed locally in February 2025.
Matching and Placements with Foster Carers	In February 2025, this chapter was refreshed where required.
Consultation and Participation	This chapter was refreshed locally in February 2025.
Safeguarding Children from Radicalisation and Extremism	In February 2025, this chapter was updated in line with updated Prevent statutory guidance, plus local amendments.
Safer Care Practice and Personal Care	In February 2025, this chapter was refreshed locally where required.
Safeguarding Children and Young People and Referring Safeguarding Concerns	In February 2025, this chapter was refreshed locally where required.
Family / Contact with Parents, Siblings and Others	This chapter was refreshed locally in February 2025.
Social Visits and Overnight Stays	This chapter was refreshed locally where required in February 2025.
Providing Personalised Care	In February 2025, this chapter was refreshed locally where required.
Staff Qualifications, Training and Development	This chapter was refreshed locally in February 2025.
Education	In February 2025, this chapter was refreshed locally where required.
Offending and Anti-Social Behaviour – Guidance on When to Involve the Police	In February 2025, this chapter was refreshed locally where required.
Health Care Assessments and Plans	In February 2025, this chapter was refreshed where required.
Supervision and Support of Foster Carers	This chapter was updated in February 2025.
Recognising Abuse and Neglect	In February 2025, amendments were made to the definition of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in line with further revisions to Working Together to Safeguard Children. The chapter was refreshed locally also where required.
Countering Bullying	In February 2025, this chapter was refreshed locally where required.
Positive Relationships and Behaviour Support	This chapter was refreshed in February 2025 including local amendments.
Recording Policy and Guidelines	This chapter was updated in February 2025.
Leisure Activities	In February 2025, this chapter was refreshed locally where required.
Internet, Photographs and Mobile Phones	In February 2025, this chapter was refreshed locally where required.
Supporting Children and Young People with Disabilities	In February 2025, this chapter was refreshed locally where required.
Risk Assessment and Planning	In February 2025, this chapter was refreshed locally where required.