The Placement of Children (Wales) Regulations 2007

Notification of arrangements

6.—(1) The responsible authority must, so far as is reasonably practicable and consistent with the child’s welfare, notify the following persons in writing of the arrangements to place a child, before the placement is made—

(a) any person an indication of whose wishes and feelings have been sought under section 22(4), section 61(2) or section 64(2) of the Act (consultation prior to decision making in respect of children looked after by a local authority, provided with accommodation by a voluntary organisation or in a private children’s home);

(b) the health care provider for the area in which the child is ordinarily resident and, if the child is to be placed outside that area, for the area in which the child is to be placed;

(c) the local education authority for the area in which the child is ordinarily resident and, if the child is to be placed outside that area, for the area in which the child is to be placed;

(d) the child’s general practitioner and, where applicable, any general practitioner with whom the child is to be registered after the placement is made

(e) where applicable the area authority;

(f) any person who is caring for the child immediately before the arrangements are made;

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

(h) in a care case, any person who has contact with the child pursuant to section 34 of the Act (contact with a child in care by parents etc) or to an order under that section.

(2) Where it is not practicable to give the notification before the placement, it must be given as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter and in any event no later than 10 working days from the date the placement is made.

(3) The responsible authority must send a copy of the arrangements referred to in regulation 4 or such part of the arrangements as they consider will not prejudice the welfare of the child, with the notification referred to in paragraph (1) but in the case of notification to those specified in paragraph (1)(b) to (h) they must send details of only such part of the arrangements as they consider those persons need to know.

(4) Subject to paragraph (3), in the case of notification to any of the persons or bodies specified in paragraph (1)(c) and (d), the responsible authority must provide that person or body with copies of any relevant report or assessment available at the time the placement is made or obtained subsequently during the placement.

(5) Where a child is placed in an area different from the area in which the child is ordinarily resident, when notifying those persons or bodies specified in paragraph 1(b) to (d) of arrangements, the responsible authority must at the same time request that the persons or bodies so specified, where applicable, seek a transfer of records before, or if that is not practicable, as soon as practicable after the placement is made.

(6) The responsible authority must continue to review any request made in accordance with paragraph (5) until they are satisfied either that the transfer of records—

(a) has taken place; or

(b) is no-longer necessary.