Using this Manual

Welcome to this revised Procedures Manual. This quick guide explains how the manual works. If you are new to the manual please read this to ensure you are familiar with the functions of the site and get to know how the manual can best be used.

Section 3, Amendments identifies the changes made to the last version of the Manual.

Please note that the MASH is now referred to as the 'Front Door for Families'. Whilst references have been amended throughout the manual, it is possible that there will be some material e.g. appendices, that still refer to the 'MASH'. These will be updated in time, but these documents should still be used until otherwise advised.

Please take a little time to re-familiarise yourself with the Manual.

1. About this Manual

This manual contains the policies, procedures and guidance for Brighton and Hove Children's Services. In this manual, all Brighton and Hove Children's Services Policies, Values and Principles are located in one Chapter, which users are required to familiarise themselves with before proceeding to the main body of the Manual. These Policies, Values and Principles are located in a Chapter called 'Values' - available from the left hand side of the screen.

These procedures use the word ‘must’ where the provision is a legal requirement. The word ‘should’ is used where the provision should be complied with but is not a legal requirement, such as where it is taken from non-statutory government guidance or accepted good practice.

2. Amendments

This manual will be updated on a regular basis and the next version is due for publication in May 2025.

Click here to view details of updates made to this manual.

If you want to make an amendment to an existing chapter in the manual for inclusion at the next update or if you have any queries or suggestions, please contact your manager. Note that Caroline.Reid@brighton-hove.gov.uk is leading on the review and update of the manual.

3. Terminology

We believe it is crucial to use consistent terminology, which we agree with individual customers, for example:

Caption: terminology table
   
'Home' and 'Resource' this is a generic term which means Children's Home, Foster Home.
'Child' or 'Young Person' both of these terms are used to mean any child under the age of 18.
'Staff' or 'Carer' means all Staff and Carers (including) whether employed or not.
'Manager' means Pod Manager, (Team Manager if fostering, adoption or children's disability service) it also means YOT Pod Manager.
'Line Manager' means the first Line Manager of a team/service.
'Parent' means person with Parental Responsibility.
'Regulatory Authority' Regulatory Authority is the generic term used in this manual to describe the independent regulatory body responsible for inspecting and regulating services e.g. Ofsted.
'Social Worker' this means the worker allocated to the child/family. If there is no allocated worker, the Duty Social Worker or Pod Manager is responsible.

4. Local Resources

This manual contains a local resource section which can be accessed via the navigation bar. This library is populated and maintained locally. If there is a resource that you think should be added talk in the first instance to your manager.

5. Glossary and National Contacts

The manual is accessed by readers who may find terms that they are not familiar with. Therefore, a glossary of definitions is available under the resource tab.

There is also a National Contacts resource populated with details of key national agencies and organisations likely to be relevant to procedures user.

6. Regulatory Compliance

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

7. Register for Updates

We recommend that you register with us to automatically receive notification when this manual is updated, and to receive a monthly newsletter containing articles which may be of interest. Click on the 'Register for Updates' button on the home screen, to complete and send your details to us.

We will manage your data respectfully and in accordance with your preferences and we will never share your data with other organisations for marketing or other purposes.

The content of this website can be accessed, printed and downloaded in an unaltered form, on a temporary basis, for personal study or reference purposes. 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 and Brighton and Hove Children's Services.

9. Accessibility

This website aims to achieve Double-A conformance to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines in accordance with government guidelines. In order to change font size or manual colour use the highlighted 'Accessibility' button at the top right hand corner of any page.

10. Printing and Retaining Copies

The Manual is intended to be viewed on line to ensure only the most up-to-date version of procedures are being used. It will be updated regularly so, in the unlikely event there is a requirement for hard copies they should be destroyed after 72 hours.

11. Browser Recommendations

It is recommended that this manual is viewed with the latest browsers, with Java Script and cookies enabled for maximum compatibility and functionality.

Recommended browsers are:

12. Mobile/Tablet Compatibility

This manual has been tested on a variety of mobile devices to ensure that it displays correctly. If you are using an older mobile device it is possible that the manual will not display correctly.

If you would like the text to be larger, resize the text under the accessibility options, alternatively if you would also like the buttons and the rest of the layout to be enlarged you can use the zoom function within your browser.

The majority of devices have the functionality to allow a shortcut to be downloaded to the homescreen by loading the site using the 'url' and using the upload function and tapping 'Add to Home Screen'. The functionality may vary between devices, please refer to the manufacturer's instructions.