When does the guidance apply?

The guidance comes into force upon publication with two exceptions. The timescale for initial assessments being undertaken within 10 working days comes into force on 1 April 2010.

Where a looked after child is also the subject of a child protection plan, this guidance sets out that the child protection plan should be reviewed as part of the overarching care plan. The revised Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulations (England) 2010 and accompanying statutory guidance Putting Care into Practice will come into force on 1 April 2011. Local authorities will wish to use the intervening period between the issuing of this guidance and 1 April 2011 to integrate the two reviewing systems appropriately.