Amendments

In May 2026, this chapter was updated to provide a link to the Information Commissioner's Office 'Better Records Together'.

This chapter was revised in May 2026, to include information from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) and Coram BAAF: Initial Health Assessment (IHA) Delivery Standards.

In May 2026, this chapter was updated to include the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.

In May 2026, information was added to Section 5, Child's Adoption Medical about the NHS England key principles for ensuring continuous health records of adopted children.

In May 2026, Section 8.6, Where the Advice from the Guardian and the Local Authority assessment are fundamentally different in relation to the safety and best interests of a child was added to the chapter in line with practice guidance issued jointly by Cafcass and the ADCS.

In May 2026, information was added to Section 3.4, Health and Emotional Well-being as the government has extended health services and other entitlements to care leavers.

In May 2026, Section 3, Security, Retention and Sharing of Records was updated in the light of the Records of Adopted and Care-experienced People - Good Practice Guidance for Record-keepers and Care Professionals (England and Wales) Guidance - published February 2024 which recommends that Adoption records where an Adoption Order is made should now have for "good practice" minimum retention of 125 years (date of birth + 125 years this was previously 100 years) or for "exemplary practice" for 150 years, or best practice would be permanent preservation/retention.

In November 2025, 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 2026, with a new fair access limit of £3000.

In November 2025, information was added from How Local Authorities Can Help Young Carers (Ofsted Blog), and additional resources were added to Further Information.

This chapter was revised in November 2025 to include information from: Criminal Injuries Compensation: A Guide.

In November 2025, this chapter was updated with guidance from the Youth Remand Concordat, which gives guidance and principles for Local Authorities and key agencies in working with children through the remand process and the Youth Justice Charter.

In November 2025, information was added to Section 1, Prevention of Homelessness and Provision of Accommodation for 16 and 17-year-old Young People who may be Homeless and/or Require Accommodation, from Good decisions: supporting children aged 16 and 17 who need help when they are homeless - GOV.UK. A section was added around Domestic Abuse and Homelessness.

This chapter was revised in November 2025.

This chapter was updated in November 2025 to include information from the Ministry of Justice Youth Remand Concordat and 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.

In November 2025 a link was added to the Peterborough local offer.

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

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 DfE 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. 

This chapter was revised in November 2025.

The Government guidance ‘Report the death or serious harm of a child or care leaver’ has been 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 has been added to this chapter.

In November 2025, 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 2026, with a new fair access limit of £3000.

In November 2025, links have been added to Youth Remand Concordat - Guidance and principles to follow a joint approach throughout the youth remand process for local and national partners, and Delivering the best for girls in custody - an independent review into placements and care for girls in the Children and Young People Secure Estate.

In November 2025, in Section 2.1, Additional Considerations Where a Child Has Multiple Needs, information was added about how to access pre-application advice on caring for children with complex needs (Ofsted) If you are thinking about opening a children’s social care service for children with complex needs.

This chapter was fully revised and updated in November 2025.