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Quick Guide

May 2023

This 'Quick Guide' must be read before accessing the body of the manual.


Contents

  1. Display and Browser Options
  2. Structure of the Manual
  3. Amendments
  4. How to Find a Chapter
  5. Terminology
  6. Keywords
  7. Register for Alerts
  8. Copyright
  9. Printing and Retaining Copies


1. Display and Browser Options

People with a visual impairment may have difficulty accessing this Manual.

To change the size of the text/layout - please use these accessibility buttons.

smallmediumlargehivis

Which are on menu bar on the left side of every screen. Click a larger button to increase your text size, the very largest being high visibility mode.


2. Structure of the Manual

This manual contains the policies, procedures and guidance for the Isle of Man Department of Social Care, Children and Families Section.

In this manual, all the Values and Principles are located in one Chapter, which users are required to familiarise themselves with before proceeding to the main body of the Manual. This chapter is - available from the left hand side of the screen by clicking on the button, “Values”.

Procedures and Guidance: 'Procedures' summarise how Managers and Staff must act in given circumstances. 'Guidance' provides direction or advice to a decision or course of action.


3. Amendments

Click here to view details of updates made to this manual.


4. How to Find a Chapter

Procedures and guidance are located in individual 'Chapters' which are available from a 'traditional' Contents List - on the left hand side of the screen.

4.1 Using the Contents List

Chapters are categorised or grouped together as follows:

PARTS: The manual contains procedures categorised under a number of Headings which describe stages of the process, like 'Planning for Looked After Children'.

CHAPTERS: Under each Section, you'll find individual Chapters/Procedures e.g. Permanence Planning Guidance.

4.2 You can Search for a Chapter

If you are not sure which Part or Chapter to look in, try 'Search' which will help you identify specific Chapters and sub headings within Chapters.


5. Terminology

We believe it is crucial to use consistent terminology, which we agree with individual customers, for example:

'Child' or 'Young Person' Both these terms are used to mean any child under the age of 18.
'Staff' or 'Carer' Means all Staff and Carers (including) whether employed or not.
'Parent' Includes person with Parental Responsibility.
'Social Worker' This means the worker allocated to the child/family. If there is no allocated worker, the Duty Social Worker or Team Manager is responsible.


6. Keywords

The manual is accessed by practitioners from varying agencies, who may find terms that they are not familiar with. Therefore, a large glossary (Keywords) of terms such as Significant Harm (Try it: click on the highlighted text). We call them 'Keywords'. Once clicked, the definitions will appear in a new window or tab, depending on your browser. You can leave it open for reference, or close it using the "close" button at the bottom.

Many Keywords are highlighted in the body of procedures, but you can search for the Keyword you need: Go to the Keywords Index, on the left hand side of the screen.


7. Register for Alerts

We recommend that you register with us to automatically receive notification when the manual is updated, and be informed about the briefing papers we regularly publish. Click on the ‘Register for Updates’ button on the left side of the 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.


8. Copyright

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. However any 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 the Isle of Man Government.


9. Printing and Retaining Copies

The Manual should normally be viewed on line but can be printed, for reference only.

To print a chapter, click on the print icon icon which is in the top right hand corner of the relevant procedure.

Please note, the Manual will be updated regularly, so staff should avoid retaining printed versions - hard copies are only valid for 72 hours.

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