Amendments

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

This chapter was revised throughout in January 2026. The choice of words is more sensitive to children who may have been traumatised.

In January 2026, information was added about how to access Pre-application advice on caring for children with complex needs (Ofsted) in Section 2.1, Additional Considerations Where a Child Has Multiple Needs. If you are thinking about opening a children’s social care service for children with complex needs.

This chapter was refreshed in January 2026. 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 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 2026, with a new fair access limit of £3000.

In January 2026, links were 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 January 2026, information was added from How Local Authorities Can Help Young Carers (Ofsted Blog) and additional resources were added to Further Information.

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

This chapter was updated in January 2026 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 leisure and recreation to be an exceptional circumstance for leave of absence.

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

This chapter was updated in January 2026 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 January 2026, 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. 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.

In January 2026, 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, and a section was added around Domestic Abuse and Homelessness.

This chapter was refreshed in July 2025 in line with How Local Authorities and Children’s Homes Can Achieve Stability and Permanence for Children with Complex Needs (Ofsted).

In July 2025, this chapter was revised in line with updated government guidance.

In July 2025, links were added to additional sources of guidance.