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Ashford Childrens Care Ltd - Independent Children's Homes Procedures Manual

Amendments

2025

June 2025

Allegations Against Staff	This chapter was updated in June 2025 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets - GOV.UK.
Safe Use of the Internet, Social Media and Photographs	In June 2025, information was added into Section 1, Risks in relation to sexually coerced extortion.
Smoking	In June 2025 a link was added to Young People and Vaping (NHS).
Staffing and Safe Recruitment	This chapter was updated in June 2025 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets - GOV.UK in the Related Guidance section.
Child Criminal Exploitation and County Lines	This chapter was refreshed in June 2025.
Monitoring Quality	In June 2025, this chapter was refreshed to add additional information in relation to Regulation 45 reviews and reports.
Supporting Children and Young People with Disabilities/Health Care Needs	This chapter was refreshed in June 2025.
Recognising Abuse and Neglect	In June 2025 amendments were made to the definition of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in line with further revisions to Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Safeguarding Children and Young People and Referring Safeguarding Concerns	In June 2025, amendments were made to the definition of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in line with further revisions to Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation	This chapter was refreshed in June 2025.

2024

December 2024

Smoking	This chapter was refreshed in December 2024.
Safe Use of the Internet, Social Media and Photographs	In December 2024, this chapter was updated in line with the Online Safety Act 2023.
Positive Relationships and Behaviour Support	This chapter was refreshed in December 2024.
Recognising Abuse and Neglect	In December 2024, definitions were updated in line with revised Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Drugs	In December 2024, information was added to reflect the reclassification of nitrous oxide as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (as amended).
Supporting Children and Young People with Disabilities/Health Care Needs	In December 2024, information was added in relation to Ofsted and CQC Joint Registration Guidance: Children's Homes and Health Care.
Staffing and Safe Recruitment	In December 2024, a link to Education Supply Chains - A Better Hiring Toolkit was added.
Preparation for Leaving Care	In December 2024, a link to Ofsted Guidance Children's Homes that Provide Care and Accommodation for Adults was added in Further Information.
Safeguarding Children from Radicalisation and Extremism	This chapter was refreshed throughout in December 2024.
Female Genital Mutilation	In December 2024, a new Section 8, Other Harmful Practices was added. The Health and Care Act 2022 has made it illegal to carry out, offer or aid and abet virginity testing or hymenoplasty in any part of the UK. It is also illegal for UK nationals and residents to do these things outside the UK. Information was added on Breast Flattening which is an offence as set out in CPS So-Called Honour-Based Abuse Legal Guidance.
Notification of Serious Events	In December 2024, information was added in relation to Ofsted and CQC Joint Registration Guidance: Children's Homes and Health Care.