The Arrangements for Placement of Children by Voluntary Organisations and Others (England) Regulations 2011

Notification of arrangements

7.—(1) The responsible authority must, so far as is reasonably practicable, notify the following persons in writing of the arrangements to place a child, before the placement is made—

(a) the child, unless it would not be appropriate to do so having regard to the child’s age and understanding,

(b) any parent of the child and any person who is not the child’s parent but who has parental responsibility for the child,

(c) the Primary Care Trust (or in the case of a child to be placed in Wales, the local health board) for the area in which the child is living and, if it is different, for the area in which the child is to be placed,

(d) the local authority for the area in which the child is living and, if it is different, for the area in which the child is to be placed,

(e) the general medical practitioner who provides, or is to provide, primary medical services under Part 4 of the National Health Service Act 2006 to the child,

(f) any person who was caring for the child immediately before the arrangement is made,

(g) any person in whose favour a contact order is in force with respect to the child,

(h) any educational institution attended by, or person providing education or training for, the child, and

(i) any other person whose wishes and feelings have been sought under section 61(2) or section 64(2) of the 1989 Act (consultation prior to decision-making in respect of children provided with accommodation by a voluntary organisation or in a private children’s home).

(2) Where it is not practicable to give the notification before the placement, it must be given as soon as reasonably practicable after the start of the placement.

(3) The responsible authority must send a copy of the placement plan (or such part of the plan as they consider will not prejudice the welfare of the child) with the notification referred to in paragraph (1) to the persons specified in paragraph (1)(a), (b), (d) and (f).

(4) In particular, the responsible authority may decide not to give a copy of the placement plan, or a full copy of the placement plan, to the child’s parent, or to the person who is not the child’s parent but who has parental responsibility for the child, if to do so would put the child at risk of significant harm.