16.—(1) A case record for a kinship carer compiled under regulation 15 must be retained by the local authority for at least 25 years from the date the placement with that kinship carer is terminated or until their death if earlier.
(2) The requirements of paragraph (1) may be complied with either by retaining the original written record or a copy of it or by keeping all the information from the record in some other accessible form (such as by means of a computer).
(3) Each local authority must secure the safe keeping of every case record and take all necessary steps to ensure that information contained in the case record is confidential subject only to–
(a)any provision of, or made under or by virtue of any enactment under which access to such records or information may be obtained or given;
(b)any court order under which access to such records or information may be given.