Using this Manual

This manual is an online version of the policies and practice guidance of Central Bedfordshire's Children's Services. The manual is updated every six months, including links to statutory guidance and regulations.

We aim to produce guidance which is authoritative, accessible and as up-to-date as possible.

For further information, please get in touch with your line manager.

This manual will be updated regularly, and a summary of the changes can be accessed via the 'Amendments' button on the Home page.

If you would like to suggest a change to the procedures manual, discuss your suggestion with your line manager initially.

To ensure that you are viewing the most up to date version of this manual you may need to refresh the cache on your browser; this is because when you visit a website your computer stores the page information into a temporary cache memory file so that as you scroll back and forth between pages your computer does not have to go back to the web server and retrieve the page you were just at. If you don't "refresh" after changes have been made, your computer might be reading the older version stored in your cache memory and not the latest updates.

To refresh the browser on a Windows PC, press F5 or clear browsing data from the browser history via the Customise and Control menu (3 dots in the top right of the screen).

This manual contains a local resource section, 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.

The manual is accessed by readers who may find unfamiliar terms. 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 procedure users.

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

We recommend that you register with us to receive notification when this manual is updated automatically, 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, temporarily, 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 Central Bedfordshire 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 on line to ensure only the most up-to-date version of procedures are being used. We recognise that at times it will be helpful to print off copies of certain sections of the procedures. However, we advise that any hard copies are not kept for reference and users develop the habit of consulting the online version.

It is recommended that this manual be viewed with the latest browsers, with JavaScript and cookies enabled for maximum compatibility and functionality.

Recommended browsers are:

• Microsoft Edge (Windows 10 & 11);
• Google Chrome;
• Mozilla Firefox;
• Apple Safari.

This manual has been tested on a variety of mobile devices to ensure that it displays correctly. If you are using an older mobile device, the manual may 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', using the upload function, and tapping 'Add to Home Screen'. The functionality may vary between devices; please refer to the manufacturer's instructions.