Using this Manual

These are the Childrens Services Procedures for Waltham Forest.

This quick guide explains how the manual works.

1. About this Manual

This manual provides Child Services Procedures compliant with the current version of Working Together to Safeguard Children. The content has been written in a style intended to be accessible to a wide range of users from Waltham Forest Childrens Services, the voluntary sector and members of the public.

For further details, please contact your manager.

2. Amendments

This manual will be updated every 6 months and a summary of the changes can be accessed via the 'Amendments' button on the Home page.

If you would like to suggest a change to the procedures manual discuss your suggestion with your line manager in the first instance.

tri.x archive a full copy of every version of this manual, if you need to consult an earlier version for reference please contact the Production Coordinator (Production.Coordinator@trixonline.co.uk).

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Regulatory Compliance

Every effort has been taken to ensure regulatory compliance. If you discover any errors or omissions, please alert your manager or Shaista Afzal, Principal Social Worker and Head of Practice Improvement. Email: shaista.afzal@walthamforest.gov.uk.

6. 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 the London Borough of Waltham Forest.

8. 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.

We have also taken steps to ensure that our site configuration supports the accessibility features of the recommended browsers (see below).

Each browser has different functions, and there is guidance available online about how to use these functions:

Click here to read guidance on accessibility features for Internet Explorer 11.

Click here to read guidance on accessibility features for Microsoft Edge.

Click here to read guidance on accessibility features for Google Chrome.

Click here to read guidance on accessibility features for Mozilla Firefox.

Click here to read guidance on accessibility features for Apple Safari.

9. Printing and Retaining Copies

The Manual is intended to be viewed online to ensure only the most up-to-date version of procedures are being used. We recognise that at times it will be helpful to print off copies of certain sections of the procedures. However, we advise that any hard copies are not kept for reference and users develop the habit of consulting the online version.

10. 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:

11. 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.