Amendments

In August 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), and a section was added around Domestic Abuse and Homelessness.

In August 2025, updates were made to reflect the Homelessness Code of Guidance - Chapter 22: Care Leavers (updated 3 May 2024) which sets out the expectation that authorities should have in place joint protocols which clearly outline jointly held corporate parenting responsibilities for care leavers. See Section 8, Joint Housing Protocols for Care Leavers.

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

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

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).

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

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

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

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

Section 15.1, Registering an appeal with the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Disability) was updated in February 2025 in line with case law.

This chapter was refreshed in February 2025.

In February 2025, this chapter was refreshed.

In February 2025, this chapter was refreshed.

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

This chapter was refreshed in February 2025.

This chapter was added to the manual in February 2025 which replaced the chapter Decision to Look After and Care Planning Procedure.

This chapter was added to the manual in February 2025 which replaced the chapter Decision to Look After and Care Planning Procedure.

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

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

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

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