The Foster Placement (Children) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996

Emergency and immediate placements by authorities

11.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), where arrangements have been made for the placement of a child in an emergency, an authority may, for a period not exceeding 24 hours, place the child with any person approved under regulation 3.

(2) Before an emergency placement is made pursuant to paragraph (1), the authority shall—

(a) satisfy the provisions of regulation 5(1)(a); and

(b) obtain a written agreement from the person with whom the child is to be placed that that person will carry out the duties specified in paragraph (4).

(3) Where an authority is satisfied that the immediate placement of a child is necessary it may, for a period not exceeding 6 weeks, place the child with a person who has not been approved under regulation 3 provided, after interviewing the person, inspecting the accommodation and obtaining information about other persons living in his household, the authority is also satisfied that—

(a) the person is a relative or friend of the child;

(b) the person has made a written agreement with the authority to carry out the duties specified in paragraph (4); and

(c) the provisions of regulation 5(1)(a) are satisfied.

(4) The duties referred to in paragraphs (2)(b) and (3)(b) are—

(a) to care for the child as if he were a member of that person’s family;

(b) to permit any person authorised by the authority or (if different) the area authority, to visit the child at any time;

(c) where regulation 7(1) or (2) applies, to allow the child to be removed at any time by the authority or (as the case may be) the area authority;

(d) to ensure that any information which that person may acquire relating to the child, or to his family or any other person, which has been given to him in confidence in connection with the placement is kept confidential and is not disclosed except to, or with the agreement of, the authority; and

(e) to allow contact with the child in accordance with—

(i) Article 53 of the Order (parental contact etc. with children in care) in relation to a child in care,

(ii) any contact order (as defined in Article 8(1) of the Order), and

(iii) any arrangements made or agreed by the authority.

(5) Where an authority makes a placement under this regulation outside its area, it shall notify the area authority.