Using this Manual

This is the online version of Central Bedfordshire Children's Services procedures manual. This manual will be regularly updated; the next edition is due in March 2025.

New editions and amendments will be indicated in Section 2, Amendments below.

This quick guide explains how the manual works.

1. About this Manual

This manual is an online version of the policies and practice guidance of Central Bedfordshire's Children's Services. The manual is updated every six months, including links to statutory guidance and regulations.

Our aim is to produce guidance which is authoritative, accessible and as up-to-date as possible.

For further information please contact your line manager.

2. Amendments and Additions

This manual, will be updated on a regular basis and a summary of the new and updated chapters detailed below.

If you have any queries or suggestions, please contact your Manager.

The Amendment Table contains details of the next scheduled amendment to these procedures:

Click here to view details of updates made to this manual.

To ensure that you are viewing the most up to date version of this manual you may need to refresh the cache on your browser; this is because when you visit a website your computer stores the page information into a temporary cache memory file so that as you scroll back and forth between pages your computer does not have to go back to the web server and retrieve the page you were just at. If you don't "refresh" after changes have been made, your computer might be reading the older version stored in your cache memory and not the latest updates.

To re-fresh the browser on a Windows PC press F5 or clear browsing data from the browser history via the Customise and Control menu (3 dots in the top right of the screen).

3. Terminology

We believe it is crucial to use consistent terminology, which we agree with individual customers, for example:

'Home' and 'Resource' This is a generic term which means Children's Home, Foster Home.
'Child' or 'Young Person' Both of these terms are used to mean any child under the age of 18.
'Staff' or 'Carer' This means all Staff and Carers (including) whether employed or not.
'Manager' This means Team Manager, it also means YOT Team Manager.
'Line Manager' This means the first Line Manager of a team/service.
'Parent' This means 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.

4. Glossary and National Contacts

The manual is accessed by readers who may find terms that they are not familiar with. Therefore, a glossary of definitions is available under the resource tab.

There is also a National Contacts resource populated with details of key national agencies and organisations likely to be relevant to procedures user.

5. Regulatory Compliance

Every effort has been taken to ensure regulatory compliance. If you discover any errors or omissions, please alert your manager.

6. Register for Updates

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.

We will manage your data respectfully and in accordance with your preferences and we will never share your data with other organisations for marketing or other purposes.

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 Central Bedfordshire Council.

8. Accessibility

This website aims to achieve Double-A conformance to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines in accordance with government guidelines. In order to change font size or manual colour use the highlighted 'Accessibility' button at the top right hand corner of any page.

9. Printing and Retaining Copies

The Manual is intended to be viewed on line to ensure only the most up-to-date version of procedures are being used. However there will be times when hardcopies of chapters will need to be printed, the printer icon at the top right of every page will link to the printer setup page.

10. Browser Recommendations

It is recommended that this manual is viewed with the latest browsers, with Java Script and cookies enabled for maximum compatibility and functionality.

Recommended browsers are:

11. Mobile/Tablet Compatibility

This manual has been tested on a variety of mobile devices to ensure that it displays correctly. If you are using an older mobile device it is possible that the manual will not display correctly.

If you would like the text to be larger, resize the text under the accessibility options, alternatively if you would also like the buttons and the rest of the layout to be enlarged you can use the zoom function within your browser.

The majority of devices have the functionality to allow a shortcut to be downloaded to the homescreen by loading the site using the 'url' and using the upload function and tapping 'Add to Home Screen'. The functionality may vary between devices, please refer to the manufacturer's instructions.