The Children Order (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005

Amendment of the Review of Children’s Cases Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996

4.—(1) The Review of Children’s Cases Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996(1) shall be amended in accordance with the following provisions of this regulation.

(2) In regulation 1(2) (interpretation), the definition of “guardian ad litem” is omitted.

(3) In regulation 1(2) the following definition shall be inserted at the appropriate place alphabetically –

““nurse” means a person registered in the register maintained under Article 5 of the Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001(2) by virtue of qualification in nursing or midwifery as the case may be;”

(4) In regulation 1(2) for the words “registered children’s home” substitute “private children’s home”.

(5) For regulation 6 (health reviews), substitute –

“Health reviews

6.— (1) Subject to paragraph (2), the responsible authority shall, in respect of each child who continues to be looked after or provided with accommodation by them –

(a) arrange for an assessment, which may include a physical examination, of the child’s state of health, to be conducted by a medical practitioner or nurse acting under the supervision of a medical practitioner –

(i) at least once in every period of six months before the child’s fifth birthday; and

(ii) at least once in every period of twelve months after the child’s fifth birthday;

(b) require the person who carried out the assessment to prepare a written report which addresses the matters listed in Schedule 2; and

(c) review the plan for the future health of the child prepared under regulation 7(1)(c) of the Arrangements for Placement of Children (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996(3) at the intervals set out in sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii) of paragraph (a).

(2) Sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of paragraph (1) do not apply if the child, being of sufficient understanding to do so, refuses to consent to the assessment.”.

(4) In Schedule 3 (health considerations to which responsible authorities are to have regard) –

(a) in paragraph 1, at the end, add “including his physical, emotional and mental health.”;

(b) in paragraph 2, at the end, add “including, as far as practicable, his family health history.”; and

(c) in paragraph 6, at the end, add “, and for advice and guidance on health, personal care and health promotion issues appropriate to the child’s needs.”.

(1)

S.R. 1996 No. 461

(2)

S.I. 2002/253

(3)

S.R. 1996 No. 463