The Placement of Children (Wales) Regulations 2007

Health care and assessment

8.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (5) and (6), a responsible authority must—

(a) before making a placement or if that is not reasonably practicable, as soon as practicable and in any event not later than 14 working days after the placement is made, make arrangements for a registered medical practitioner or a registered nurse to conduct an assessment, which may include a physical examination, of the child’s state of health;

(b) require any person specified in sub-paragraph (a) who conducts an assessment to prepare a written report of the assessment, which addresses the matters listed in Schedule 2, with particular reference to the child’s state of mental health;

(c) ensure that a copy of any report prepared in accordance with sub-paragraph (b) and any subsequent assessment report prepared under this regulation during the placement, is forwarded to the persons specified in paragraph (1)(d) of regulation 6, where they are different from the persons specified in sub-paragraph (a); and

(d) having regard to the matters listed in Schedule 2 and, unless paragraph (6) applies, to any assessment reports, prepare a plan for the future health care of the child if one is not already in existence.

(2) A responsible authority must ensure that each child is provided during the placement with—

(a) health care services, including medical, dental and mental health care and treatment; and

(b) advice and guidance on health, personal care and health promotion matters in accordance with the child’s needs.

(3) A responsible authority must ensure that the child is—

(a) registered with a general practitioner as soon as practicable and in any event not later than 10 working days after the placement is made; and

(b) placed under the care of a registered dental practitioner as soon as practicable and in any event not later than 20 working days after the placement is made.

(4) A responsible authority must ensure as far as practicable, that a child continues to be registered with a general practitioner and under the care of a registered dental practitioner, throughout the duration of the placement.

(5) Paragraph (1) does not apply if within the period of three months immediately preceding the placement, the child’s health has been assessed and a report of the assessment prepared in accordance with that paragraph.

(6) 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.

(7) Where a placement of a child was made before 1 July 2007, to which this regulation would otherwise apply, and no assessment of the child’s health has been made, or the child has not been registered with a general practitioner or placed under the care of a registered dental practitioner, this regulation applies as if that placement had been made on 1 July 2007.