Amendments

This chapter was refreshed in January 2026. The Government guidance ‘Report the death or serious harm of a child or care leaver’ was updated to provide what information is needed when reporting incidents involving children who have died or been seriously harmed and abuse or neglect is known or suspected, looked after children and care leavers. The Serious Incident Notification Guide for local authorities was also added to this chapter.

This chapter was refreshed in January 2026.

This chapter was updated in January 2026 to include information for the Restraint and restrictive practices: positive environments for children – Ofsted: social care.

In January 2026, information was added in Section 3, Examples of Adoption Support, to highlight that the DfE has extended the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund initially until March 2027, with a new fair access limit of £3000.

This chapter was refreshed in January 2026 to include information from the Criminal Injuries Compensation: A Guide.

In January 2026, information was added in Section 6.3, Placement before a Special Guardianship Order (SGO) is Granted, to highlight that the DfE has extended the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund initially until March 2027, with a new fair access limit of £3000.

This chapter was updated in January 2026 to include information from the Ministry of Justice Youth Remand Concordat. This chapter was also updated with information from the Youth Justice Charter - know your rights in the youth justice system. The Youth Justice Charter sets out what children can expect at each stage of the youth justice system — helping them understand who does what, what their rights are, and what to do if the standards are not met.

This chapter was updated in October 2025.