The Looked After Children (Scotland) Regulations 2009

Local authority visits: child in placement

46.—(1) This regulation applies where a child has been placed by a local authority–

(a) with a kinship carer in accordance with regulation 11;

(b) with a foster carer in accordance with regulation 27;

(c) by virtue of regulation 39(1); or

(d) in a residential establishment.

(2) The local authority must ensure that the child and their carer are visited on their behalf–

(a) within one week of the placement being made; and

(b) thereafter at intervals of not more than 3 months from the date of the previous visit.

(3) Without prejudice to the duty at paragraph (2) the local authority must ensure that the child and their carer are visited on their behalf–

(a) on any occasion where the local authority consider it necessary or appropriate to safeguard or promote the welfare of the child;

(b) where paragraph (1)(a) or (b) applies on any occasion where the local authority consider it necessary or appropriate to provide support and assistance to the child’s carer for the purpose of safeguarding or promoting the welfare of the child; and

(c) where reasonably requested to do so by the child or their carer.

(4) The local authority must ensure that written reports are produced recording the visits made in accordance with paragraph (2) or (3).

(5) In this regulation “carer” means, in relation to the child–

(a) the kinship carer with whom the child has been placed in accordance with regulation 11;

(b) the foster carer with whom the child has been placed in accordance with regulation 27;

(c) the person with whom the child is placed by virtue of regulation 39(1); or

(d) the manager of the residential establishment at which the child has been placed.