The Domiciliary Care Agencies Regulations 2002

Notice of absence

24.—(1) Where—

(a) the registered provider, being an individual in full-time day to day charge of the agency; or

(b) the registered manager,

proposes to be absent from the agency for a continuous period of 28 days or more, the registered person shall give notice in writing to the Commission of the proposed absence.

(2) Except in the case of an emergency, the notice referred to in paragraph (1) shall be given no later than one month before the proposed absence commences, or within such shorter period as may be agreed with the Commission and the notice shall specify—

(a) the length or expected length of the absence;

(b) the reason for the absence;

(c) the arrangements which have been made for running the agency during that absence;

(d) the name, address and qualifications of the person who will be responsible for the agency during that absence; and

(e) in the case of the absence of the registered manager, the arrangements that have been, or are proposed to be, made for appointing another person to manage the agency during that absence, including the proposed date by which the appointment is to be made.

(3) Where the absence arises as a result of an emergency, the registered person shall give notice of the absence within one week of its occurrence specifying the matters set out in paragraph (2)(a) to (e).

(4) Where—

(a) the registered provider, being an individual in full-time day to day charge of the agency; or

(b) the registered manager,

has been absent from the agency for a continuous period of 28 days or more, and the Commission has not been given notice of the absence, the registered person shall, without delay, give notice in writing to the Commission of the absence, specifying the matters set out in paragraph (2)(a) to (e).

(5) The registered person shall notify the Commission of the return to duty of the registered provider or (as the case may be) the registered manager not later than 7 days after the date of his return.