Using this Manual
Scope of this chapter
Welcome to the Buckinghamshire Children’s Homes manual.
This quick guide explains how the manual works.
This manual contains all of our key policies and procedures, listed in 'Contents' on 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.
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 contains a local resource section which can be accessed via the navigation bar. If there is a resource that you think should be added talk in the first instance to your manager.
The nominated administrator for this area will be able to access online training in the use of the area from tri.x.
This library is populated and maintained locally and not by tri.x. tri.x will not be responsible for content which is added into this area, and any concerns should be directed to the contact person with responsibility for the procedures.
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. |
These procedures use the word ‘must’ where the provision is a legal requirement. The word ‘should’ is used where the provision should be complied with but is not a legal requirement, such as where it is taken from non-statutory government guidance or accepted good practice.
Every effort has been taken to ensure regulatory compliance. If you discover any errors or omissions, please alert your manager.
If you have any comments or suggestions to make about this Procedures Manual please consult your Line Manager.
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Last Updated: October 21, 2024
v13
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