The Children (Leaving Care) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005

Assessment of needs

6.—(1) The responsible authority shall assess the needs of each eligible child and each relevant child who does not already have a pathway plan, in accordance with these Regulations.

(2) The assessment under paragraph (1) is to be completed –

(a) in the case of an eligible child, not more than three months after the date on which he reaches the age of 16 or becomes an eligible child after that age; and

(b) in the case of a relevant child who does not already have a pathway plan, not more than three months after the date on which he becomes a relevant child.

(3) Each responsible authority shall ensure that a written record is kept of –

(a) the information obtained in the course of an assessment;

(b) the deliberations at any meeting held in connection with any aspect of an assessment; and

(c) the results of the assessment.

(4) In carrying out an assessment the responsible authority shall take account of the following considerations –

(a) the child’s health and development(1);

(b) the child’s need for education, training or employment;

(c) the support available to the child from members of his family and other persons;

(d) the child’s financial needs;

(e) the extent to which the child possesses the practical and other skills necessary for independent living; and

(f) the child’s need for care, support, and accommodation.

(5) The responsible authority shall, unless it is not reasonably practicable to do so, seek and take into account the views of –

(a) the child’s parents;

(b) any person who is not a parent but has parental responsibility for the child;

(c) any person who on a day to day basis cares for, or provides accommodation for the child;

(d) any school or college attended by the child, or the education and library board for the area in which he lives;

(e) any independent visitor appointed for the child(2);

(f) any person providing primary medical services to the child;

(g) the personal adviser(3) appointed for the child; and

(h) any other person whose views the responsible authority, or the child consider may be relevant.

(1)

“health” and “development” are defined in Article 2(2) of S.I. 1995/755 (N.I. 2)

(2)

An independent visitor is a person appointed as a visitor for a child in accordance with Article 31 of S.I. 1995/755 (N.I. 2)

(3)

Personal advisers are provided for in Articles 34A(10), 34C(2), 34D(3)(a) and 34E of S.I. 1995/755 (N.I. 2)