Amendments

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

This chapter was updated in February 2026, to include information from the Ministry of Justice Youth Remand Concordat. In February 2026, this chapter was 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 February 2026, information was added from How Local Authorities Can Help Young Carers (Ofsted Blog) and additional resources were added to Further Information.

In February 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. In February 2026, this chapter was 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 February 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 refreshed in February 2026.

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

In February 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.

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

This chapter was updated in August 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.

In August 2025, information from Good decisions: supporting children aged 16 and 17 who need help when they are homeless (GOV.UK) 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. A new Section 3.1, Domestic Abuse and Homelessness was also added.

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

In August 2025, information in relation to bunk beds was added into Section 9, Accommodation, Bedroom Space and Sharing.

In February 2025, this chapter was refreshed.

In February 2025, links to sources of further information were updated.

This chapter was updated in February 2025 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets (GOV.UK). See Section 4.5, Concluding the Investigation.

This chapter was updated in February 2025 with a link to DBS guidance leaflets (GOV.UK). See Section 4.4, Concluding the Investigation. 

Section 14.1, Registering an appeal with the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Disability) was updated in February 2025 in line with case law.

Section 4.2, Procedural Fairness was updated in February 2025 in line with case-law.

In February 2025, information on Ofsted checks was added into Section 5.1, Checks. A link was added to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets (GOV.UK) in Related Guidance.

In February 2025, information on how to request information about an applicant from Ofsted was added to Section 3, Stage One - The Pre-Assessment Process. A link to DBS guidance leaflets (GOV.UK) was added in Related Guidance.

This chapter was added to the manual in February 2025.

In February 2025, a link was added to Ofsted and CQC Joint Registration Guidance: Children's Homes and Health Care.

In February 2025, information was added in relation to Ofsted and CQC Joint Registration Guidance: Children's Homes and Health Care.