Arrangements for the protection of children
14.—(1) The registered person shall prepare and implement a written child protection policy which—
(a)is intended to safeguard children accommodated in the residential family centre from abuse or neglect; and
(b)sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of any allegation of abuse or neglect.
(2) The procedure under paragraph (1)(b) must in particular provide for—
(a)liaison and co-operation with any HSS trust which is making child protection enquiries in relation to any child accommodated in the residential family centre;
(b)the prompt referral to the HSS trust in whose area the residential family centre is situated, of any allegations of abuse or neglect affecting any child accommodated in the residential family centre;
(c)notification (in accordance with regulation 30) of the instigation and outcome of any child protection enquiries involving any child accommodated in the residential family centre, to the Regulation and Improvement Authority and the child’s HSS trust ;
(d)written records to be kept of any allegation of abuse or neglect, and of the action taken in response;
(e)consideration to be given in each case to the measures which may be necessary to protect children in the residential family centre following an allegation of abuse or neglect;
(f)a requirement for persons working at the residential family centre to report any concerns about the welfare or safety of any child accommodated in the residential family centre to one of the following—
(i)the registered person;
(ii)a police officer;
(iii)an officer of the Regulation and Improvement Authority;
(iv)an officer of the HSS trust in whose area the residential family centre is situated; or
(v)an officer of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children;
(g)arrangements to be made for residents and persons working at the residential family centre, to have access at all times and in an appropriate form, to information which would enable them to contact the HSS trust in whose area the residential family centre is situated, or the Regulation and Improvement Authority, concerning the welfare or safety of children accommodated in the residential family centre.
(3) In this regulation—
(a)“child protection enquiries” means any enquiries carried out by a HSS trust in the exercise of any of its functions conferred by or under the Children Order relating to the protection of children; and
(b)“child” also includes any parent who is under the age of 18.
(4) The registered person shall prepare and implement a written policy for the prevention of bullying in the residential family centre which includes, in particular, a procedure for dealing with an allegation of bullying.