These Regulations amend the Arrangements for Placement of Children (General) Regulations 1991, the Foster Placement (Children) Regulations 1991, the Placement of Children with Parents etc Regulations 1991 and the Review of Children’s Cases Regulations 1991.

Regulation 2(3) amends the Foster Placement (Children) Regulations. It makes it clear that the prohibition in the Regulations on voluntary organisations placing a child outside the British Islands applies equally to cases where the voluntary organisation acts on behalf of a local authority as to cases where it is itself responsible for the child.

These Regulations also amend the provisions relating to short-term periods of care for children (which, under the Regulations amended, can be treated as one period for certain purposes). They make three changes in particular. Firstly, the total length of time for which a series of short-term placements may last and still be regarded as one placement for the purposes of certain requirements is extended (regulations 2(2), 3, 4(a) and 5). Secondly, amendments to the Foster Placement (Children) Regulations and the Placement of Children with Parents etc Regulations modify the requirements for visits to supervise a series of short-term placements (regulations 2(2) and 4 (b)). Thirdly, special provision is made in the Review of Children’s Cases Regulations for review of cases where there is a series of short-term placements (regulation 5).