Reading List

These official documents support the course content and are useful for supervision, complaints review, advocacy access and refresher learning. England sources are listed where they set out detailed guidance for children's homes; Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland links are signposted separately so staff do not assume one nation's arrangements apply across the UK.

England core guidance

• Children's homes regulations, including quality standards: guide
  Official England guide to the Children's Homes Regulations 2015, relevant to children's rights, participation, complaints, advocacy and day-to-day care quality.
• Social care common inspection framework (SCCIF): children's homes
  England inspection framework covering expectations for rights, participation, advocacy and complaints handling in children's homes.
• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026
  Statutory guidance on child-centred multi-agency safeguarding and on listening to children.
• Children Act 1989: care planning, placement and case review
  Statutory guidance on care planning, placements and reviews, with practical guidance for keeping children's wishes and feelings visible in those processes.
• Advocacy services for children and young people
  Statutory guidance on providing effective advocacy for children and young people making or considering a complaint under the Children Act 1989.
• Children's social care: getting the best from complaints
  Guidance on children’s social care complaints procedures, how complaints should be handled and how to use them to improve services.

Wales signposting

• Advocacy services: code of practice
  Wales guidance on advocacy services and local authority duties to provide them.
• Part 6 Code of Practice (Looked After and Accommodated Children)
  Wales guidance on looked-after children, participation, reviews and related support arrangements.

Scotland signposting

• Children's advocacy guidance
  Scottish Government guidance on advocacy and supporting children and young people to express views and make informed decisions.
• Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 corporate parenting guidance
  Guidance on promoting rights, participation, information and support for looked-after children and care leavers in Scotland.

Northern Ireland signposting

• Making a complaint about children in care services
  Northern Ireland information on complaints, rights and available help for children in care and their families.
• RQIA Minimum Standards for Children's Homes
  Northern Ireland standards on children's rights, complaints, advocacy and service quality in children's homes.

For everyday practice, consult the child's current plan and your home's procedures first. Use these official sources when you need wider or statutory guidance.