Using this Manual

Welcome to the Pan Dorset SCP Procedures Manual.

This quick guide explains how the manual works.

1. About this Manual

This manual is devised to provide you with a set of chapters which comply with Working Together to Safeguard Children. The content has been written in a succinct style which is intended to be accessible to a wide range of users from all the agencies that are partners in the SCP and the third sector.

The manual has been organised with the Core Procedures in the most prominent place. These chapters explain the actions that must be taken when there are concerns about the welfare of a child.

Chapters which relate to guidance have been written in Safeguarding Practice Guides which capture the most significant points and avoid a level of detail which put the reader off. Where more detailed guidance is required, this can be included either through a link from a Safeguarding Practice Guide or as a replacement for a Safeguarding Practice Guide.

Work will take place between the SCP and tri.x to edit and amend the content of this manual to ensure that it reflects local practices and arrangements.

For further details, please contact pan-dorsetscp@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.

2. Amendments

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. You will also find the detail of the next planned manual update in this section.

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

The next update to this manual will be published in January 2025.

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.

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 Pan Dorset SCB.

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:

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.

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.