Children and Families Moving Across Local Authority Boundaries

Children crossing boundaries - memo of understanding

The Eastern Region and London DCSs have agreed that from 1 January 2025, where children move between their respective regions, the following procedures will apply:

1) For children subject to an assessment of need or child protection enquiries:

• As set out in Chapter 6, Section 2 of the London Safeguarding Children Procedures

2) For children in need:

• As set out in Chapter 6, Section 4 of the London Safeguarding Children Procedures

3) For children subject to a child protection plan:

• As set out in Chapter 6, Section 3 of the London Safeguarding Children Procedures

4) For other children:

• Children Subject to a Statutory Order

• Children Accommodated by the Originating Authority

• Children in hospital, care homes or education provision

• Children made subject to a Child Arrangement Order or a Special Guardianship Order

• Private Fostering

• Extra-Familial Harm

• Families With No Recourse to Public Funds / Intentionally Homeless

• Early Help Services

See Chapter 6, Section 5 of the London Procedures

5) The Procedures:

The procedures relating to children moving within and between the respective regions who are subject to an assessment of need or risk, children subject to a protection plan of a child in need plan are the same which should facilitate the safe transfer of case responsibility.

6) Resolving professional disagreements:

In the event of any disagreement then the following process should be followed:

• In the first instance, senior officers from the local authorities should discuss the circumstances of the child concerned and seek to resolve the professional differences within 5 days of the issue arising.

• If there continues to be a disagreement, then that disagreement should be referred to the Chairs of the respective ADCS regions (or their nominee) within 5 days for resolution.