Using this Handbook
This Handbook contains all key policies and procedures set out in different sections. These can be accessed from the Contents button on the tool bar.
There is also a link to the multi-agency safeguarding procedures that cover Essex which can be accessed from the home page by clicking on the blue button that says Procedures Manuals for Safeguarding and Children's Social Work.
If you are unable to find the information you require, consult your Supervising Social Worker.
You can add a shortcut to the manual on the home screen of your phone or mobile device by opening the site using the 'url' (website address) and then on an Android phone tapping the 3 dots at the top right-hand corner of the phone browser and from the drop-down menu select 'Add to Home Screen'. On an iPhone, open the site in the phone browser and at the bottom of the browser select the icon that looks like a square with an arrow pointing upwards and from the menu that appears select 'Add to Home Screen'.
For further details, please contact Chris Waller. Team manager – Therapeutic Fostering Team Chris.Waller2@essex.gov.uk)
This handbook will be updated on a regular basis, usually annually unless there are significant changes that require more timely updates. The next update will be published in March 2025.
If you would like to suggest a change to the handbook discuss your suggestion with your line manager or supervising social worker in the first instance.
This section includes Fostering policies and guidance. Please also use the search bar at the top of the page to generate results.
The handbook 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.
We have used the following terms and post titles:
| Supervising Social Worker | This means the allocated, suitably qualified social worker who is responsible for supervising and supporting you. |
| Child's Social Worker | This means the allocated social worker from the Placing Authority who is responsible for managing the child's case. |
| Placing Authority | This means the local authority with overall responsibility for the child's care. |
| Fostering Service | This means the service provided by the fostering service. |
| Fostering Service Manager | This means the registered manager of the service provided by the fostering service. |
| Placement Plan | This is the documentation drawn up by the child's social worker before the placement wherever possible (or where this is not possible, within 5 working days of the placement) which sets out in detail the arrangements for the child's care in the foster placement. |
Every effort has been taken to ensure regulatory compliance. If you discover any errors or omissions, please alert your manager.
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The Manual is intended to be viewed on line to ensure only the most up-to-date version of procedures are being used. There are times when it will be useful to print off a specific chapter, but please discard these after use and refer to the online version to ensure you are consulting the most up-to-date procedure.
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:
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- Mozilla Firefox;
- Apple Safari.
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.
Last Updated: March 18, 2024
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