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Quick Guide

December 2011

Before proceeding to the body of the manual, please read this 'Quick Guide'.


Contents

  1. Display and Browser Options
  2. About This Manual
  3. Amendments and Timescales
  4. Keywords and Search
  5. Compliance
  6. Printing and Retaining Copies
  7. Copyright


1. Display and Browser Options

People with a visual impairment may have difficulty accessing this Manual.

To change the size of the text/layout - please use the accessibility buttons, like the ones shown below;

smallmediumlargehivis

which are on the menu bar on the left side of every screen. Click a larger button to increase your text size, the very largest being a high visibility mode.


2. About This Manual

2.1 Status of the Manual

This manual is fully operational.

Where relevant, links to government guidance and the changes required as a result of Working Together to Safeguard Children 2010 have been included.

When the manual is updated, chapters that have changed significantly or are new are marked as 'Updated' or 'New' on the Contents List.

Changes that were made as a result of 'Working Together to Safeguard Children 2010' are shown in italics in the Initial Contacts and Referrals Procedure, the Initial Assessment Procedure and the Core Assessments (including Section 47 Enquiries) Procedure.

2.2 What is Included

The manual is designed to contain all our policies, procedures and guidance.

  • Policies and Values: Our intention is to create a 'one stop shop' for all our Policies, Values and Principles. They will be located in one Chapter, called 'Values' (which can be accessed via the menu bar on the left hand side of the screen). The 'Values' chapter is intended to summarise the key policies, values and principles for Children's Social Care. All procedures in this manual should be read in the context of this Chapter;
  • Procedures and Guidance: In an attempt to keep procedures succinct, procedures and more detailed guidance are usually separated, with links provided as appropriate:
    • 'Procedures' summarise how Managers and Staff must act in given circumstances;
    • 'Guidance' provides direction or advice to assist with making a decision or taking a course of action.

Procedures and Guidance are located in individual 'Chapters' which are available from a 'traditional' Contents List - available on the menu bar on the left hand side of each screen.

2.3 Using the Contents List

Chapters are categorised or grouped together as follows:

  • Parts: The Manual contains procedures categorised under a number of Service Sectors, e.g. 'Looked After Services';
  • Sections: Within each Service Sector e.g. 'Looked After Services', you will find a Section (group of procedures) e.g. 'Placements';
  • Chapters: Under each Section, you will find individual Chapters/Procedures e.g. 'Placements in Foster Care'.

2.4 The Integrated Children’s System

This manual refers to the ICS forms to be completed where appropriate in the Procedures.

2.5 London Child Protection Procedures

A number of the chapters contained in this manual must be read and followed in conjunction with the London Child Protection Procedures. Tri-x has produced a web-based version of the London Child Protection Procedures, which is accessible from this manual via the button on the left hand side of each screen. There are also hyperlinks between the two manuals within the relevant chapters.


3. Amendments and Timescales

This update contains the following changes:

The manual will be regularly updated and the next update will be in the spring of 2012. The planning meeting for this update will take place at the end of February 2012.

Any requests for amendments or additions should be sent to Sarah.Daly@croydon.gov.uk via the appropriate Service Lead who will need to authorise any amendment or addition before it can be included.


4. Keywords and Search

4.1 Keywords

The manual contains a large glossary of terms such as Significant Harm (Try it - click on the highlighted text). We call them 'Keywords'. Once clicked, the definitions will appear in a new window or tab, depending on your browser. You can leave it open for reference, or close it using the "close" button at the bottom.

4.2 Search

We have provided a Search function, available from the relevant button on the left hand menu bar. This will enable you to search for Chapter/Procedure titles and sub-sections within Chapters.

It will provide the best results if you know the title of the chapter or sub section, or if you have a good idea what the title is. You may have to try different or alternative spellings/terms before you get the result you are looking for.

5. Compliance

5.1 Regulatory Compliance

Every effort has been taken to ensure regulatory compliance. If you discover any errors or mistakes, please alert your manager.

5.2 W3C Compliance

This manual meets the double A Standards of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), for example, it can be accessed by people with high levels of visual impairment. To find out more, click on 'Display Options' on the left hand side of the screen.


6. Printing and Retaining Copies

The Manual should normally be viewed on line but can be printed, for reference only.

To print a chapter, click on the print icon icon which is in the top right hand corner of the relevant procedure.

Please note, copies may be printed for reference only, they may NOT be retained for more than 3 working days or used for any other purpose (See Section 7, Copyright).


7. Copyright

The content of this manual can be accessed, printed and downloaded in an unaltered form, on a temporary basis, for personal study or reference purposes. However any content printed or downloaded may not be sold, licensed, transferred, copied or reproduced in whole or in part in any manner or in or on any media to any person without the prior written consent of Tri-X-Childcare Ltd. and the London Borough of Croydon.

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