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Contents

1. Display and Browser Options
2. Structure of the Manual
3. Amendments
4. How to Find a Chapter
5. Searching the Manual
6. Terminology
7. Keywords
8. Compliance
9. Register for Updates
10. Copyright
11. Printing and Retaining Copies

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 these accessibility buttons

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

2. Structure of the Manual

This manual contains the policies, procedures and guidance for the London Borough of Hillingdon Children and Families Service.

In this manual, all Hillingdon Children and Families Policies, Values and Principles are located in one Chapter, with which users are required to familiarise themselves 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.

Procedures and Guidance: In an attempt to keep procedures succinct, procedures and more detailed guidance are separated - with links provided as appropriate. 'Procedures' summarise how Managers and Staff must act in given circumstances. 'Guidance' provides direction or advice to a decision or course of action.

A web-based version of the London Child Protection Procedures has been incorporated into this Manual. They can be accessed by clicking on 'London Child Protection Procedures' on the left hand side of the screen.

A web-based version of Working Together to Safeguard Children has also been added as an Appendix to the manual.

3. Amendments

The manual is updated on a regular basis and when the updates are published, any chapters which are new or have been significantly amended are indicated on the Contents List and at the top of the relevant chapter.

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

4. How to Find a Chapter

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

Chapters are categorised or grouped together as follows:

PARTS: The manual contains procedures categorised under a number of Service Sectors, like 'Looked After Children',

SECTIONS: Within each Service Sector e.g. 'Placements'.

CHAPTERS: Under each Section, you'll find individual Chapters/Procedures e.g. Placements with Parents

5. Searching the Manual

You can search this manual by using the blue button to the left of the display. Advice on how to refine your search is also provided.

If you can't find the procedure you require or you are frustrated, ask your manager/supervisor.

6. Terminology

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

'Child' or 'Young Person'	Both these terms are used to mean any child under the age of 18
'Parent'	Means parent or 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 Team Manager is responsible.

7. Keywords

The manual is accessed by practitioners from varying agencies, who may find terms that they are not familiar with. Therefore, a large glossary (Keywords) of terms is available 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.

Many Keywords are highlighted in the body of procedures, but you can search for the Keyword you need: Go to the Keywords Index, on the left hand side of the screen.

8. Compliance

Regulatory Compliance

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

9. Register for Updates

We recommend that you register with us to automatically receive notification when the manual is updated, and be informed about the briefing papers we regularly publish. Click on the ‘Register for Updates’ button on the left side of the 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.

10. Copyright

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. 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 and the London Borough of Hillingdon.

11. 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 icon which is in the top right hand corner of the relevant procedure.

Please note, the Manual will be updated regularly, so staff should avoid retaining printed versions - hard copies are only valid for 3 working days and the responsibility is on the practitioner to make sure that any printed copies are shredded after that period.

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