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Working Together To Safeguard Children 2026 Update.

The Mental Health Act 2025 Reforms.

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1.The Care Act 2014 Resource

  1. 1.0.1The Care Act 2014 Resource

2.The Mental Capacity Act 2005 Resource and Practice Toolkit

  1. 2.0.1The Mental Capacity Act 2005 Resource and Practice Toolkit

3.Safeguarding & DoLS

  1. 3.0.1Safeguarding AdultsNovember 13, 2025
  2. 3.0.2Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards ProcedureNovember 13, 2025
  3. 3.0.3Recognising and Responding to Deprivations of LibertyMay 20, 2025

4.Universal Procedures (used by all teams)

  1. 4.0.1Equality, Diversity and Human RightsNovember 13, 2025
  2. 4.0.2Recording and Keeping RecordsNovember 13, 2025
  3. 4.0.3Providing Information about a Person or CarerNovember 13, 2025
  4. 4.0.4Financial AssessmentNovember 13, 2025
  5. 4.0.5Commissioning and Brokerage ProceduresNovember 20, 2023
  6. 4.0.6Direct PaymentsNovember 13, 2025
  7. 4.0.7Technology Enabled Care (including MASCOT Telecare)November 13, 2025
  8. 4.0.8Risk AssessmentNovember 13, 2025
  9. 4.0.9Lone WorkingNovember 20, 2023
  10. 4.0.10Joint WorkNovember 3, 2021
  11. 4.0.11Co-productionNovember 13, 2025
  12. 4.0.12Social Media (use of)November 13, 2025
  13. 4.0.13Storage of Data on Practitioners' Mobile DevicesNovember 13, 2025
  14. 4.0.14Interpreter and Translation ServicesNovember 13, 2025
  15. 4.0.15Death of a Person or CarerMay 20, 2025

5.Specialist Procedures

  1. 5.0.1Deputyship and Financial AffairsMay 20, 2025
  2. 5.0.2Debt Respite Scheme (Breathing Spaces) ProcedureMay 20, 2025
  3. 5.0.3Housing and HomelessnessNovember 13, 2025
  4. 5.0.4Joint Packages of Health and Social CareNovember 14, 2024
  5. 5.0.5NHS Continuing Healthcare ProcedureNovember 14, 2024
  6. 5.0.6NHS-funded Nursing Care Procedure (FNC)May 9, 2024
  7. 5.0.7End of Life Procedures and Practice GuidanceMay 20, 2025
  8. 5.0.8Legal ServicesNovember 22, 2021
  9. 5.0.9Ordinary Residence ProcedureNovember 20, 2023
  10. 5.0.10Continuity of Care ArrangementsMay 9, 2024
  11. 5.0.11Cross Border PlacementsMay 9, 2024
  12. 5.0.12Protecting Moveable PropertyNovember 13, 2025
  13. 5.0.13Service Interruptions and Provider FailureMay 9, 2024
  14. 5.0.14No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)May 20, 2025
  15. 5.0.15Prisons and Approved PremisesNovember 13, 2025
  16. 5.0.16Acting as an Appropriate AdultNovember 13, 2025
  17. 5.0.17Working Effectively with Parents and Children's ServicesNovember 13, 2025

6.First Response Team

6.1Contact and Referral

  1. 6.1.1Receiving a Contact or ReferralMay 20, 2025
  2. 6.1.2Deciding the Outcome of a Contact or Referral (First Response Team)November 13, 2025
  3. 6.1.3Actions and Next StepsNovember 13, 2025

6.2Establishing Needs

  1. 6.2.1Introduction, Legal Requirements and ToolsMay 9, 2024
  2. 6.2.2Preparing to Establish NeedsMay 20, 2025
  3. 6.2.3The Skilled ConversationNovember 13, 2025
  4. 6.2.4Agreeing Needs and Making a Formal RecordNovember 20, 2023
  5. 6.2.5Understanding and Applying Eligibility CriteriaNovember 13, 2025
  6. 6.2.6Communicating the Outcome and Next StepsNovember 13, 2025

6.3Meeting Needs

  1. 6.3.1Establishing Ordinary ResidenceMay 20, 2025
  2. 6.3.2Requesting a Financial AssessmentMay 9, 2024
  3. 6.3.3Setting an Indicative BudgetNovember 14, 2024
  4. 6.3.4Care and Support PlanningNovember 13, 2025
  5. 6.3.5Signing Off a Care and Support Plan and Agreeing a Final Personal BudgetNovember 14, 2024
  6. 6.3.6Arranging Support and ServicesNovember 14, 2024

6.4Reviewing Support and Services

  1. 6.4.1Legal Requirements of a Care and Support Plan Review and ToolsNovember 14, 2024
  2. 6.4.2Preparing to Carry out a Care and Support Plan ReviewMay 20, 2025
  3. 6.4.3The Full Review ConversationNovember 13, 2025
  4. 6.4.4The Light Touch Review ConversationNovember 13, 2025
  5. 6.4.5Deciding the Outcome of a Care and Support Plan Review and Making a Formal RecordNovember 14, 2024
  6. 6.4.6Actions Following a Care and Support Plan ReviewNovember 13, 2025
  7. 6.4.7Monitoring Urgent or Interim Support and ServicesMay 9, 2024
  8. 6.4.8Review of a Direct Payment

7.Hospital to Home Team

7.1Contact and Referral

  1. 7.1.1Receiving a Contact or ReferralMay 20, 2025
  2. 7.1.2Deciding the Outcome of a Contact or Referral (Hospital to Home Team)November 13, 2025
  3. 7.1.3Actions and Next StepsNovember 13, 2025

7.2Discharge to Assess

  1. 7.2.1Discharge to Assess (Home First)May 9, 2024
  2. 7.2.2Monitoring Urgent or Interim Support and ServicesMay 9, 2024

7.3Establishing Needs

  1. 7.3.1Introduction, Legal Requirements and ToolsMay 9, 2024
  2. 7.3.2Preparing to Establish NeedsMay 20, 2025
  3. 7.3.3The Skilled ConversationNovember 13, 2025
  4. 7.3.4Agreeing Needs and Making a Formal RecordNovember 20, 2023
  5. 7.3.5Understanding and Applying Eligibility CriteriaNovember 13, 2025
  6. 7.3.6Communicating the Outcome and Next StepsNovember 13, 2025

7.4Meeting Needs

  1. 7.4.1Establishing Ordinary ResidenceMay 20, 2025
  2. 7.4.2Requesting a Financial AssessmentMay 9, 2024
  3. 7.4.3Setting an Indicative BudgetNovember 14, 2024
  4. 7.4.4Care and Support PlanningNovember 13, 2025
  5. 7.4.5Signing Off a Care and Support Plan and Agreeing a Final Personal BudgetNovember 14, 2024
  6. 7.4.6Arranging Support and ServicesNovember 14, 2024

7.5Reviewing Support and Services

  1. 7.5.1Legal Requirements of a Care and Support Plan Review and ToolsNovember 14, 2024
  2. 7.5.2Preparing to Carry out a Care and Support Plan ReviewMay 20, 2025
  3. 7.5.3The Full Review ConversationNovember 13, 2025
  4. 7.5.4The Light Touch Review ConversationNovember 13, 2025
  5. 7.5.5Deciding the Outcome of a Care and Support Plan Review and Making a Formal RecordNovember 14, 2024
  6. 7.5.6Actions Following a Care and Support Plan ReviewNovember 13, 2025
  7. 7.5.7Review a Direct Payment

8.Reablement Team

8.1Contact and Referral

  1. 8.1.1Receiving a Contact or ReferralMay 20, 2025
  2. 8.1.2Deciding the Outcome of a Contact or Referral (Reablement)November 13, 2025
  3. 8.1.3Actions and Next StepsNovember 13, 2025

8.2Establishing Needs

  1. 8.2.1Introduction, Purpose and Tools (Reablement)May 9, 2024
  2. 8.2.2Preparing to Establish Needs (Reablement)May 20, 2025
  3. 8.2.3The Skilled Conversation (Reablement)November 13, 2025
  4. 8.2.4Agreeing Needs, Making a Formal Record and Next Steps (Reablement)April 12, 2022

8.3Meeting Needs

  1. 8.3.1The Reablement PlanNovember 14, 2024
  2. 8.3.2Arranging the Reablement ServiceNovember 20, 2023

8.4Monitoring and Reviewing Reablement

  1. 8.4.1Monitoring ReablementMay 9, 2024
  2. 8.4.2Monitoring Actions (Reablement)November 13, 2025
  3. 8.4.3The Reablement ReviewMay 20, 2025
  4. 8.4.4Deciding the Outcome of a Reablement Review and Making a Formal RecordNovember 20, 2023
  5. 8.4.5Actions Following a Reablement ReviewNovember 13, 2025

9.Community Occupational Therapy Service

9.1Contact and Referral

  1. 9.1.1Receiving a Contact or ReferralMay 20, 2025
  2. 9.1.2Deciding the Outcome of a Contact or Referral (Occupational Therapy)November 13, 2025
  3. 9.1.3Actions and Next StepsNovember 13, 2025

9.2Establishing Needs

  1. 9.2.1Introduction, Legal Requirements and Tools (Occupational Therapy)May 9, 2024
  2. 9.2.2Preparing to Establish Needs (Occupational Therapy)May 20, 2025
  3. 9.2.3The Skilled Conversation (Occupational Therapy)November 13, 2025
  4. 9.2.4Agreeing Needs, Making a Formal Record and Next Steps (Occupational Therapy)November 14, 2024
  5. 9.2.5Establishing Likely Eligibility for a Disabled Facilities GrantApril 24, 2023
  6. 9.2.6Understanding and Applying Eligibility Criteria (Occupational Therapy)November 13, 2025
  7. 9.2.7Communicating the Outcome and Next Steps (Occupational Therapy)November 13, 2025

9.3Meeting Needs

  1. 9.3.1Establishing Ordinary Residence (Occupational Therapy)May 20, 2025
  2. 9.3.2Requesting a Financial AssessmentMay 9, 2024
  3. 9.3.3Applying for a Disabled Facilities GrantNovember 20, 2023
  4. 9.3.4The Outcome of the Disabled Facilities Grant Application and Next StepsNovember 3, 2021
  5. 9.3.5Providing EquipmentMay 9, 2024
  6. 9.3.6Equipment in a Care HomeNovember 14, 2024
  7. 9.3.7Providing Direct SupportNovember 14, 2024

9.4Monitoring and Review

  1. 9.4.1Monitoring and ReviewNovember 13, 2025

10.Locality Teams

10.1Using these Procedures

  1. 10.1.1Using these Procedures (Locality Teams)November 20, 2023

10.2Contact and Referral

  1. 10.2.1Receiving a Contact or ReferralMay 20, 2025
  2. 10.2.2Deciding the Outcome of a Contact or ReferralNovember 13, 2025
  3. 10.2.3Actions and Next StepsNovember 13, 2025

10.3Establishing Needs

  1. 10.3.1Introduction, Legal Requirements and ToolsMay 9, 2024
  2. 10.3.2Preparing to Establish NeedsMay 20, 2025
  3. 10.3.3The Skilled ConversationNovember 13, 2025
  4. 10.3.4Agreeing Needs and Making a Formal RecordNovember 20, 2023
  5. 10.3.5Understanding and Applying Eligibility CriteriaNovember 13, 2025
  6. 10.3.6Communicating the Outcome and Next StepsNovember 13, 2025

10.4Meeting Needs

  1. 10.4.1Establishing Ordinary ResidenceMay 20, 2025
  2. 10.4.2Requesting a Financial AssessmentMay 9, 2024
  3. 10.4.3Setting an Indicative BudgetNovember 14, 2024
  4. 10.4.4Care and Support PlanningNovember 13, 2025
  5. 10.4.5Signing Off a Care and Support Plan and Agreeing a Final Personal BudgetNovember 14, 2024
  6. 10.4.6Arranging Support and ServicesNovember 14, 2024

10.5Reviewing Support and Services

  1. 10.5.1Legal Requirements of a Care and Support Plan Review and ToolsNovember 14, 2024
  2. 10.5.2Preparing to Carry out a Care and Support Plan ReviewMay 20, 2025
  3. 10.5.3The Full Review ConversationNovember 13, 2025
  4. 10.5.4The Light Touch Review ConversationNovember 13, 2025
  5. 10.5.5Deciding the Outcome of a Care and Support Plan Review and Making a Formal RecordNovember 14, 2024
  6. 10.5.6Actions Following a Care and Support Plan ReviewNovember 13, 2025
  7. 10.5.7Monitoring Urgent or Interim Support and ServicesMay 9, 2024
  8. 10.5.8Review a Direct Payment

11.Integrated Learning Disability Team

11.1Contact and Referral

  1. 11.1.1Receiving a Contact or ReferralMay 20, 2025
  2. 11.1.2Deciding the Outcome of a Contact or ReferralNovember 13, 2025
  3. 11.1.3Actions and Next StepsNovember 13, 2025

11.2Establishing Needs

  1. 11.2.1Introduction, Legal Requirements and ToolsMay 9, 2024
  2. 11.2.2Preparing to Establish NeedsMay 20, 2025
  3. 11.2.3The Skilled ConversationNovember 13, 2025
  4. 11.2.4Agreeing Needs and Making a Formal RecordNovember 20, 2023
  5. 11.2.5Understanding and Applying Eligibility CriteriaNovember 13, 2025
  6. 11.2.6Communicating the Outcome and Next StepsNovember 13, 2025

11.3Meeting Needs

  1. 11.3.1Establishing Ordinary ResidenceMay 20, 2025
  2. 11.3.2Requesting a Financial AssessmentMay 9, 2024
  3. 11.3.3Setting an Indicative BudgetNovember 14, 2024
  4. 11.3.4Care and Support PlanningNovember 13, 2025
  5. 11.3.5Signing Off a Care and Support Plan and Agreeing a Final Personal BudgetNovember 14, 2024
  6. 11.3.6Arranging Support and ServicesNovember 14, 2024

11.4Reviewing Support and Services

  1. 11.4.1Legal Requirements of a Care and Support Plan Review and ToolsNovember 14, 2024
  2. 11.4.2Preparing to Carry out a Care and Support Plan ReviewMay 20, 2025
  3. 11.4.3The Full Review ConversationNovember 13, 2025
  4. 11.4.4The Light Touch Review ConversationNovember 13, 2025
  5. 11.4.5Deciding the Outcome of a Care and Support Plan Review and Making a Formal RecordNovember 14, 2024
  6. 11.4.6Actions Following a Care and Support Plan ReviewNovember 13, 2025
  7. 11.4.7Monitoring Urgent or Interim Support and ServicesMay 9, 2024
  8. 11.4.8Review a Direct Payment

12.ASC Transitions Team

12.1Children’s Procedures

  1. 12.1.1Merton Children’s Services Procedures Manual

12.2Deciding Whether to Start Transition

  1. 12.2.1Deciding Whether to Start TransitionApril 24, 2023
  2. 12.2.2Deciding Whether to Start Carers TransitionNovember 3, 2021
  3. 12.2.3Recording the Decision and Next StepsNovember 3, 2021

12.3Child's Needs Assessment

  1. 12.3.1Introduction, Legal Requirements and Tools (Child's Needs Assessment)May 9, 2024
  2. 12.3.2Preparing to Establish Needs (Child's Needs Assessment)May 9, 2024
  3. 12.3.3The Skilled Conversation (Child's Needs Assessment)November 13, 2025
  4. 12.3.4Agreeing Needs, Making a Formal Record and Next Steps (Child's Needs Assessment)November 20, 2023

12.4Carer's Transition Assessments

  1. 12.4.1Introduction, Legal Requirements and Tools (Carer's Transition)May 9, 2024
  2. 12.4.2Preparing to Establish the Needs of Parent CarersMay 9, 2024
  3. 12.4.3Preparing to Establish the Needs of Young CarersMay 9, 2024
  4. 12.4.4The Skilled Conversation (Parent Carers)September 27, 2021
  5. 12.4.5The Skilled Conversation (Young Carers)November 13, 2025
  6. 12.4.6Agreeing Needs, Making a Formal Record and Next Steps (Carer's Transition)November 14, 2024

12.5Transition Planning and Review

  1. 12.5.1Setting an Indicative Budget (Transition to Adult Care and Support)November 9, 2021
  2. 12.5.2The Transition PlanMay 9, 2024
  3. 12.5.3Reviewing a Transition PlanMay 9, 2024
  4. 12.5.4Reviewing an Education, Health and Care Plan (from 18 years)July 22, 2022

12.6Contacts from Adults

  1. 12.6.1Receiving a ContactNovember 20, 2023
  2. 12.6.2Deciding the Outcome of a ContactNovember 13, 2025
  3. 12.6.3Actions and Next StepsNovember 13, 2025

12.7Establishing Adult Needs

  1. 12.7.1Introduction, Legal Requirements and ToolsMay 9, 2024
  2. 12.7.2Preparing to Establish NeedsMay 20, 2025
  3. 12.7.3The Skilled ConversationNovember 13, 2025
  4. 12.7.4Agreeing Needs and Making a Formal RecordNovember 20, 2023
  5. 12.7.5Understanding and Applying Eligibility CriteriaNovember 13, 2025
  6. 12.7.6Communicating the Outcome and Next StepsNovember 13, 2025

12.8Care and Support Planning

  1. 12.8.1Requesting a Financial AssessmentMay 9, 2024
  2. 12.8.2Setting an Indicative BudgetNovember 14, 2024
  3. 12.8.3Care and Support PlanningNovember 13, 2025
  4. 12.8.4Signing Off a Care and Support Plan and Agreeing a Final Personal BudgetNovember 14, 2024
  5. 12.8.5Arranging Support and ServicesNovember 14, 2024

12.9Reviewing a Care and Support Plan

  1. 12.9.1Legal Requirements of a Care and Support Plan Review and ToolsNovember 14, 2024
  2. 12.9.2Preparing to Carry out a Care and Support Plan ReviewMay 20, 2025
  3. 12.9.3The Full Review ConversationNovember 13, 2025
  4. 12.9.4The Light Touch Review ConversationNovember 13, 2025
  5. 12.9.5Deciding the Outcome of a Care and Support Plan Review and Making a Formal RecordNovember 14, 2024
  6. 12.9.6Actions Following a Care and Support Plan ReviewNovember 13, 2025
  7. 12.9.7Monitoring Urgent or Interim Support and ServicesMay 9, 2024
  8. 12.9.8Review a Direct Payment

13.Mental Health Teams

13.1Using these Procedures

  1. 13.1.1Using these Procedures (Mental Health Teams)November 20, 2023

13.2Contact and Referral

  1. 13.2.1Deciding the Outcome of a Contact or ReferralNovember 13, 2025
  2. 13.2.2Receiving a Contact or ReferralMay 20, 2025
  3. 13.2.3Actions and Next StepsNovember 13, 2025

13.3Establishing Needs

  1. 13.3.1Introduction, Legal Requirements and ToolsMay 9, 2024
  2. 13.3.2Preparing to Establish NeedsMay 20, 2025
  3. 13.3.3The Skilled ConversationNovember 13, 2025
  4. 13.3.4Agreeing Needs and Making a Formal RecordNovember 20, 2023
  5. 13.3.5Understanding and Applying Eligibility CriteriaNovember 13, 2025
  6. 13.3.6Communicating the Outcome and Next StepsNovember 13, 2025

13.4Meeting Needs

  1. 13.4.1Establishing Ordinary ResidenceMay 20, 2025
  2. 13.4.2Requesting a Financial AssessmentMay 9, 2024
  3. 13.4.3Setting an Indicative BudgetNovember 14, 2024
  4. 13.4.4Care and Support PlanningNovember 13, 2025
  5. 13.4.5Signing Off a Care and Support Plan and Agreeing a Final Personal BudgetNovember 14, 2024
  6. 13.4.6Arranging Support and ServicesNovember 14, 2024

13.5Reviewing Support and Services

  1. 13.5.1Legal Requirements of a Care and Support Plan Review and ToolsNovember 14, 2024
  2. 13.5.2Preparing to Carry out a Care and Support Plan ReviewMay 20, 2025
  3. 13.5.3The Full Review ConversationNovember 13, 2025
  4. 13.5.4The Light Touch Review ConversationNovember 13, 2025
  5. 13.5.5Deciding the Outcome of a Care and Support Plan Review and Making a Formal RecordNovember 14, 2024
  6. 13.5.6Actions Following a Care and Support Plan ReviewNovember 13, 2025
  7. 13.5.7Monitoring Urgent or Interim Support and ServicesMay 9, 2024
  8. 13.5.8Review a Direct Payment

13.6Functions under the Mental Health Act

  1. 13.6.1Understanding the Mental Health Act 1983May 20, 2025
  2. 13.6.2Social Circumstances ReportNovember 14, 2024
  3. 13.6.3Section 117 AftercareMay 9, 2024
  4. 13.6.4Community Mental Health FrameworkNovember 20, 2023

14.AMHP Procedure

  1. 14.0.1AMHP ProcedureMay 20, 2025

15.Carers Procedures

15.1Contact and Referral

  1. 15.1.1Receiving a Contact or ReferralMay 20, 2025
  2. 15.1.2Deciding the Outcome of a Contact or Referral (Carers)November 13, 2025
  3. 15.1.3Actions and Next Steps (Carers)November 13, 2025

15.2Establishing Needs

  1. 15.2.1Introduction, Legal Requirements and Tools (Carers)May 9, 2024
  2. 15.2.2Preparing to Establish Needs (Carers)May 9, 2024
  3. 15.2.3The Skilled Conversation (Carers)November 13, 2025
  4. 15.2.4Agreeing Needs and Making a Formal Record (Carers)April 12, 2022
  5. 15.2.5Understanding and Applying Eligibility Criteria (Carers)November 13, 2025
  6. 15.2.6Communicating the Outcome and Next Steps (Carers)November 13, 2025

15.3Meeting Needs

  1. 15.3.1Establishing Ordinary ResidenceMay 20, 2025
  2. 15.3.2Requesting a Financial AssessmentMay 9, 2024
  3. 15.3.3Setting an Indicative BudgetNovember 14, 2024
  4. 15.3.4Support PlanningNovember 13, 2025
  5. 15.3.5Signing off a Support Plan and Agreeing a Final Personal BudgetNovember 14, 2024
  6. 15.3.6Arranging Support and ServicesNovember 14, 2024

15.4Reviewing Support and Services

  1. 15.4.1Legal Requirements of a Support Plan Review and ToolsNovember 14, 2024
  2. 15.4.2Preparing to Carry out a Support Plan ReviewMay 9, 2024
  3. 15.4.3The Full Review Conversation (Carers)November 13, 2025
  4. 15.4.4The Light Touch Review Conversation (Carers)November 13, 2025
  5. 15.4.5Deciding the Outcome of a Support Plan Review and Making a Formal RecordNovember 3, 2021
  6. 15.4.6Actions Following a Support Plan ReviewNovember 13, 2025
  7. 15.4.7Monitoring Urgent or Interim Support and ServicesMay 9, 2024
  8. 15.4.8Review a Direct Payment

Last Updated: November 13, 2025

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