Using this Manual

1. Structure of the Manual

This manual contains the Sheffield Children Safeguarding Partnership Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures. The Procedures are divided into nine sections containing sub-sections which are grouped together for example in relation to 'Managing Individual Cases where there are Concerns about a Child's Safety and Welfare'. These can be accessed from the Contents List which can be accessed by clicking on the button on the top menu. Alternatively you can use the search function to locate a section or sub-section.

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.

The manual contains a set of Fact Sheets, which are brief summaries of chapters. The Fact sheets can be accessed from the button on the left of the screen and from the relevant chapters.

2. Amendments

The manual is regularly updated on a planned basis, twice yearly. The next update will be issued in March 2025.

If you have any queries or suggestions, please contact your Manager.

When updates are published, some sections or sub-sections may be new or may be amended significantly. If a section has been significantly amended or is new, it will be indicated in the Contents List and at the top of the relevant section.

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

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.

5. Regulatory Compliance

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

6. Contact Us and Register for Updates

If you have any comments or suggestions to make about this manual please contact the Sheffield Children Safeguarding Partnership by using the button on the left hand side of the screen, from anywhere within the manual.

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.

7. 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. 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 Sheffield Children Safeguarding Partnership.

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.

9. Printing and Retaining Copies

The Manual is intended to be viewed on line to ensure only the most up-to-date version of procedures are being used. It will be updated regularly so, in the unlikely event there is a requirement for hard copies they should be destroyed after 72 hours.

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:

• Internet Explorer 11 (Windows 7, 8 and 8.1);
• Microsoft Edge (Windows 10);
• Google Chrome;
• Mozilla Firefox;
• Apple Safari.

11. Mobile/Tablet Compatibility

This manual has been tested on a variety of mobile devices to ensure that it displays correctly. However, if you find that you still cannot use the site select the 'mobile' option at the bottom of the screen. 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.