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The Mental Health Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 18.12.25.

Guernsey Children and Family Community Services Procedures Manual

Amendments

2025

November 2025

Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Child in Care, Child in Need or Care Leaver up to and Including the Age of 24)	In November 2025 information has been added in Section Two on Death of Care Leaver Up to and Including the Age of 24.
Relinquished Children	In November 2025 links were added to Good Practice Guidance for Adoption Agencies and Cafcass: Children Relinquished for Adoption (Cafcass) and Annex 3 'Statement That I Do Not Wish to be Notified of the Application for an Adoption Order for my Child - Section 20(4) Adoption and Children Act 2002' Proforma.
Placements with Connected Persons	In November 2025 Information was added into section one Introduction which should be reread.
Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential Settings Outside of the Jurisdiction	In November 2025 this chapter was revised and should be reread.
Children and Family Community Services Policies, Values and Principles	In November 2025 this chapter was rewritten and should be reread.

September 2025

Child Protection Enquiries	This chapter was updated in September 2025.
MASH Integrated Front Door Approach to Early Help & Safeguarding Referrals	This chapter was updated in September 2025.
Assessments	This chapter was updated in September 2025.
Unborn Pathway and Pre-Birth Assessment Guidance	This chapter was updated in September 2025.

February 2025

Unborn Pathway and Pre-Birth Assessment Guidance	In February 2025, the Unborn Pathway and Pre-Birth Assessment Guidance was added to the manual.

2024

April 2024

Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters	In April 2024 this policy was amended throughout and should be reread.
Adult Safeguarding	In April 2024 the Guernsey & Alderney Multi-Agency Adult Safeguarding Policy has been updated.
Family and Friends Care	In April 2024 this policy was amended throughout and should be reread.

2023

November 2023

Allegations Against Foster Carers	In November 2023, this chapter was amended in line with revised Keeping Children Safe in Education. A new Section 2, The Difference Between an Allegation of Harm and a Concern was also added.
Support Carer for Foster Carers	This chapter was added in November 2023.
Decision to Bring a Child into Care	Section 3, Section 20 Accommodation was updated in November 2023. Section 20 of the Children Law 1989 deals with matters of relating to the voluntary accommodation of children. The voluntary accommodation of children is dealt with in the Bailiwick under section 25 of the Children (Guernsey and Alderney) Law 2008. For ease of reference relation to relevant case law Section 20 is also referred to within this procedure.
Allegations Against Prospective Adopters and in Relation to Children Placed for Adoption or Already Adopted	In November 2023, this chapter was amended in line with revised Keeping Children Safe in Education. A new Section 2, The Difference Between an Allegation of Harm and a Concern was also added.
Capacity and Consent	In November 2023, amendments were made to reflect case-law in relation to assessing legal capacity.
Supported Lodgings	This chapter was added in November 2023.
Health and Safety	This chapter was added in November 2023.
Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery	In November 2023, this chapter was updated throughout and should be re-read.
Guidance on Allowances and Payments for Children in Foster Care	This chapter was added in November 2023.
Aftercare following a Hospital Admission under the Mental Health (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law 2010	In November 2023, this chapter was updated throughout and should be re-read.