Amendments

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

This document was last reviewed in November 2025 by the Caldecott Foundation.

This document was last reviewed in November 2025 by the Caldecott Foundation.

In November 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.

This chapter was reviewed by the Caldecott Foundation in November 2025.

This document was last reviewed in November 2025 by the Caldecott Foundation.

This document was last reviewed in November 2025 by the Caldecott Foundation.

This chapter was reviewed by the Caldecott Foundation in November 2025 and should be re-read throughout.

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 Department for Education 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.

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

In November 2025, in Section 6.1, information was added about Pre-application advice on caring for children with complex needs (Ofsted).

In November 2025 in section 6.5, Moving and Handling and Postural Care information has been added on the importance for some children of good postural care to reduces their health risks and improve their quality of life.

In November 2025 this chapter was refreshed and a link added to Guidance: Being an Appropriate Adult - guidance for those who perform the role of ‘appropriate adult’ and for the person benefiting from the appropriate adult's support.

This chapter was updated in November 2025.

In November 2025 this chapter was refreshed to add additional information in relation to Regulation 45 reviews and reports.

This document was last reviewed in November 2025 by the Caldecott Foundation.

This chapter was added to the manual in November 2025.

Thiis chapter was updated in November 2025.

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

This chapter was updated in November 2025.

This chapter was refreshed in November 2025.

This chapter was updated in November 2025.

These chapters was last reviewed in November 2025 and should be re-read throughout.

This chapter was updated in November 2025.

This document was last reviewed in November 2025 by the Caldecott Foundation.

This chapter was updated in November 2025 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets - GOV.UK in the Related Guidance section.

This chapter was reviewed by the Caldecott Foundation in November 2025.

In November 2025 information was added into section 1, Risks in relation to sexually coerced extortion.

This chapter was added to the manual in Novembe 2025.

In September 2024, minor amendments were made to definitions in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children. QI reviewed policy to update following recent Action for Children research and trauma informed responses to criminally exploited children - as well as to removing victim blaming and dehumanising language- added in NRM (National Referral Mechanism) information and advice.

This chapter was added to the manual in September 2024.

This chapter was updated in September 2024.

This chapter was updated in September 2024.

In September 2024, a link was added in the Related Guidance to Ofsted Guidance Children’s Homes that Provide Care and Accommodation for Adults.

This chapter was added to the manual in September 2024 and replaces the chapter 'Drugs and Substance Misuse'.

In September 2024, new sections were added in to Section 2, Safe Recruitment and Employment Checks, on Prospective Staff Spending Time in the Home and Carrying Out Interviews, in line with updated Ofsted guidance. Links were also added to information on DBS Digital Identity Verification Guidance and Education Supply Chains – A Better Hiring Toolkit.

This chapter was added to the manual in September 2024.

In September 2024, Section 2.3, Appointment of Manager was updated in line with updated Ofsted Guidance – Social Care Common Inspection Framework: Children’s Homes. 

This new chapter was added in September 2024 and replaces the link 'Communications'.

This chapter was added to the manual in September 2024.

In September 2024, a new section was added on Other Harmful Practices. The Health and Care Act 2022 has made it illegal to carry out, offer or aid and abet virginity testing or hymenoplasty in any part of the UK. It is also illegal for UK nationals and residents to do these things outside the UK. Information was also added on Breast Flattening which is an offence as set out in CPS So-Called Honour-Based Abuse Legal Guidance.

In September 2024, definitions were updated in line with revised Working Together to Safeguard Children.

This chapter was added to the manual in September 2024.

This chapter was updated in September 2023 to reflect the new language style at the Caldecott Foundation.

In September 2023, information in relation to allergies was added into Section 2, Health Passports.

This chapter was added in September 2023.

Section 4, Reporting and Recording Requirements was updated in September 2023.

This chapter was updated in September 2023 in relation to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.

This policy was added in September 2023.

This chapter was updated in September 2023 to add information in relation to Philomena Protocols into Section 6, Action to be Taken if a Child is Missing.

In September 2023, this chapter was amended in line with revised statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education. Information was added to note that Keeping Children Safe in Education provides that copies of a curriculum vitae should only be accepted alongside an application form as a curriculum vitae on its own may not provide adequate information. Information was also added in relation to online searches. It was also updated in line with Guidance: Children’s Homes – Recruiting Staff (Ofsted).

These chapters were updated in September 2023 and should be re-read throughout.