Using this Manual

This is the operational edition of Coventry's Children's Services Procedures manual and replaces the former web enabled version. This manual contains the policies, procedures and guidance for Coventry Children's Services. All previous policies, procedures and guidance should be discarded.

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;
• Protocols are agreements between two or more departments or agencies

A web-based version of the Coventry Safeguarding Children Partnership Procedures has been incorporated into this manual. This can be accessed by clicking on CSCP Procedures button at the top of the screen.

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

These procedures use the word ‘must’ where the provision is a legal requirement. The word ‘should’ is used where the provision should be complied with but is not a legal requirement, such as where it is taken from non-statutory government guidance or accepted good practice.

This manual will be updated on a regular basis and a summary of the changes can be accessed via the 'Amendments' button on the Home page. The next planned manual update will be available during in May 2025.

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

This manual contains a document library which can be accessed via the navigation bar. If there is a resource that you think should be added talk in the first instance to your manager. The nominated administrator for this area will be able to access online training in the use of the area from tri.x.

This library is populated and maintained locally and not by tri.x.

tri.x will not be responsible for content which is added into this area, and any concerns should be directed to the contact person with responsibility for the procedures.

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.

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

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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 Coventry City Council.

This website aims to achieve Double-A conformance to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines in accordance with government guidelines. 

The Manual is intended to be viewed online to ensure only the most up-to-date version of procedures are being used.

There will be times when hard copies of some of the chapters may be required for meetings etc. They should not be kept for any longer than necessary. Users are encouraged to develop the habit of consulting the online version in the first instance.

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