Reading List

These official sources underpin the course and are useful for supervision, transition planning, placement review and refresher learning. England guidance is listed where it provides specific children's homes or care-planning detail; Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland items are signposted so staff do not assume one nation's arrangements apply across the UK.

England core guidance

• NICE NG205: Looked-after children and young people
  Guidance on stability, nurturing relationships, transitions and supporting looked-after children and young people through change.
• Children Act 1989: care planning, placement and case review
  Statutory guidance on care planning, placement arrangements, review and related responsibilities for looked-after children.
• Children Act 1989: transition to adulthood for care leavers
  Statutory guidance on pathway planning, personal adviser support, care-leaver rights and preparing young people for adulthood.
• Children's homes regulations, including quality standards: guide
  Official guide to the Children's Homes Regulations 2015, relevant to moves into homes, preparation for leaving and day-to-day care standards.
• Social care common inspection framework (SCCIF): children's homes
  Current inspection framework setting expectations for planning moves into the home, preparing children for the future and managing transitions.

Wales signposting

• Part 6 Code of Practice (Looked After and Accommodated Children)
  Wales guidance on care planning, placements, contact, reviews, pathway planning and support for looked-after and accommodated children.

Scotland signposting

• Guidance on Looked After Children (Scotland) Regulations 2009 and the Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007
  Scotland guidance on care planning, placements, contact and the responsibilities around looked-after children during change and review.

Northern Ireland signposting

• Protecting 'Looked After' Children guidance
  Northern Ireland guidance on safeguarding, planning and multi-disciplinary approaches to reduce confusion for looked-after children.
• A Life Deserved - A Strategy for Looked After Children
  Strategy context on improving outcomes, continuity and support for looked-after children and young people.

For daily practice, start with the child's live plan and your home's procedures, then consult these official sources for wider guidance.