Children’s Social Care - National Framework

The National Framework document is designed for professionals in local authority children’s social care, providing guidance on statutory requirements. It outlines what must be done to comply with the law and should be followed unless there are valid reasons not to. The document also contains pertinent information for all safeguarding partners and agencies involved in children’s social care.

Introduction

The daily work of practitioners in children's social care is intricate, nuanced, and demanding, yet helping entire families enact change can be motivating. Given the significant consequences of their decisions, it's imperative for everyone involved to share a vision for what children's social care should achieve and have a clear understanding of what's necessary to realise that vision.

The National Framework, statutory guidance from the Department for Education, plays a central role in shaping practice in children's social care, aligning with the reforms outlined in Stable Homes, Built on Love. It encompasses the purpose of local authority children's social care, guiding principles for supporting children, young people, and families, essential enablers for an effective system, and desired outcomes to foster thriving among children and young people. Importantly, the National Framework prioritises the voices of children, young people, and families, ensuring they have a meaningful say in their support.

The National Framework will be complemented by the Children's Social Care Dashboard. It aims to facilitate understanding of progress toward achieving the outcomes outlined in the National Framework. The Dashboard will function as an educational resource, empowering local authorities to assess their practice over time and glean insights from exemplary practices elsewhere.

Who is this Guidance for?

This guidance is designed for individuals within and collaborating with local authority children's social care. It also provides useful information for children, young people, and families who receive support from children's social care services. The National Framework outlines three foundational enablers within the children's social care system, essential for effective support:

Multi-agency working: Prioritised and effective collaboration between agencies.

Leadership: Leaders create conditions conducive to effective practice.

Workforce: Equipped and effective workforce to carry out support functions efficiently.

Outcomes

The outcomes outlined in the National Framework represent the core objectives of children's social care, detailing what should be achieved for the children, young people, and families they assist. There are four key outcomes:

1. Ensuring that children, young people, and families remain together and receive necessary support - Children's social care operates with the aim of supporting not only children and young people but also their families and wider networks. Through collaboration with parents and caregivers, they address family challenges while prioritising the safety and well-being of children and young people, striving to maintain family connections whenever possible.
2. Providing support for children and young people through their family network - Children's social care prioritises building strong relationships with key individuals in the lives of children and young people, including their family network, to ensure safety, stability, and love. Involving family networks is crucial at every stage of support, including when children are in care or transitioning into care. When children are raised by someone within their family network, it's termed as kinship care.
3. Ensuring the safety of children and young people both within and outside of their homes - Children's social care responds promptly to safeguard children and young people from harm, whether it occurs within their homes, communities, or online. They navigate the complexities of these situations, collaborating with various agencies to enhance safety measures and address the diverse and nuanced challenges associated with safeguarding.
4. Securing stable and loving homes for children in care and care leavers - Children's social care provides loving, nurturing, and stable homes for children and young people under the care of the local authority, including care leavers. These homes aim to address past adversity and trauma, providing the foundation for a healthy and fulfilling life.

Purpose of Children’s Social Care

The purpose of children's social care is to support and protect children, young people, and families. It involves decisive intervention when there's a risk of harm and providing care for those in need, ensuring they can grow up in safety, stability, and love, ultimately thriving.

Principles of Children’s Social Care

Children, young people, and families, regardless of their residence, should trust that local authority children's social care upholds their rights and provides services consistently.

There are several principles that are cross-cutting and underpin the expectations for practice described in each chapter of the National Framework. They are drawn from, and should be considered in parallel with, legislation and statutory guidance including Working Together to Safeguard Children and include:

• Children’s welfare is paramount
• Children’s wishes and feelings are sought, heard, and responded to
• Children’s social care works in partnership with whole families
• Children are raised by their families, with their family networks or in family environments wherever possible
• Local authorities work with other agencies to effectively identify and meet the needs of children, young people, and families
• Local authorities consider the economic and social circumstances impacting children, young people, and families

The Enabler

The enablers described in the National Framework refer to aspects of the children’s social care system that facilitate effective support for children, young people, and families. The enablers are foundational to good practice.

Enabler: Multi-agency working is prioritised and effective - All agencies are committed to pursuing the highest possible outcomes for children and young people. Safeguarding partners and relevant agencies play a crucial role in assisting local authorities in reaching the objectives of the National Framework. Through collaboration and leveraging their distinct expertise, agencies work together to support positive long-term outcomes, including promoting good child development, ensuring educational success,

Enabler: leaders drive conditions for effective practice - Leadership has the power to bring about transformation within communities. This requires dedication, expertise, and various skills from leaders across different levels, ranging from senior political and corporate leaders to those managing services and overseeing practice in children's social care. Leadership in this field extends beyond organisational positions; individuals at all levels can demonstrate leadership by influencing organisational and practice culture and advocating for the welfare of children, young people, and families.

Enabler: the workforce is equipped and effective - Practitioners within children's social care form a diverse workforce with the collective power to positively impact the lives of children and families. From family support workers to social workers, each role contributes unique skills and expertise to support children, young people, and families facing complex challenges. Collaboration across different specialties strengthens the workforce, enabling practitioners to offer compassionate and motivational support tailored to the specific needs of each family.

Resources:

The full guidance can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/657c538495bf650010719097/Children_s_Social_Care_National_Framework__December_2023.pdf

Professional Standards: https://www.socialworkengland.org.uk/standards/professional-standards/

The Care Planning and case review regulations 2010:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/959/part/3/crossheading/placement-out-of-area/made