The Arrangements for Placement of Children (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations.)

These Regulations make provision for the arrangements for placement of children by authorities, voluntary organisations and persons carrying on registered children’s homes. These placements are with foster parents, in homes provided by authorities, in voluntary children’s homes or registered children’s homes and under other arrangements.

The Regulations make provision for the application of the Regulations (regulation 2); the making of arrangements for accommodation and maintenance, and promotion of the welfare of children (regulation 3); the considerations to be given on making the arrangements and, except in a care case, the contents of those arrangements (regulation 4 and Schedules 1 to 4); those who must be notified of the arrangements (regulation 5); the arrangements for contact in respect of children placed by voluntary organisations or in a registered children’s home (regulation 6); health requirements (regulation 7); the establishment of records (regulation 8); the retention and confidentiality of records (regulation 9); registers of relevant information (regulation 10); the access by guardians ad litem to records and registers (regulation 11); arrangements made between authorities and other authorities for carrying out responsibilities in respect of those arrangements (regulation 12) and the application of the Regulations to short-term placements (regulation 13).

Articles 27(2)(a) and (f)(ii) and (5), 28, 73(1) and (2)(d), 75(2) and (3), 89(1) and (2)(g) and 105(1) and (2)(g) of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 are the enabling provisions under which these Regulations are made. They were brought into operation on 18th July 1996 by virtue of Article 2(1) of, and Schedule 1 to, the Children (1995 Order) (Commencement No. 3) Order (Northern Ireland) 1996 (S.R. 1996 No. 297 (C. 17)).