Amendments

In April 2026, this chapter was updated to reflect the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 and a link to the Information Commissioners Office ‘Better Records Together’.

In April 2026, the table setting out the timescales for the retention of records was updated.

In April 2026, information was added to Section 3.4, as the government has extended health services and other entitlements to care leavers.

In April 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. It has also been 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 April 2026, a link was added in Section 7, Online Safety, to the children commissioners' guidance “What I wish my parents or carers knew…“: A guide for parents and carers on managing children’s digital lives.

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

This chapter was updated in April 2026 to include information from the Ministry of Justice Youth Remand Concordat. It 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 April 2026, this chapter was revised throughout, and all the links were updated.

In April 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 October 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.

This chapter was refreshed in October 2025 to include information from the Criminal Injuries Compensation: A Guide.

This chapter was updated in October 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 October 2025.

In October 2025, information from Good decisions: supporting children aged 16 and 17 who need help when they are homeless (GOV.UK) was added into 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.

In October 2025, information was added from How Local Authorities Can Help Young Carers (Ofsted Blog) to Section 2, Recognition.

This chapter was updated in October 2025 to include information for the Restraint and restrictive practices: positive environments for children – Ofsted: social care.

In October 2025, information about how to access pre-application advice on caring for children with complex needs (Ofsted) was added 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.

In October 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.

This chapter was revised in October 2025. The Government guidance ‘Report the death or serious harm of a child or care leaver’ was 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 was also added.

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