The Review of Children’s Cases Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996

Regulation 4(4)

SCHEDULE 1 Elements to be included in review

1.  Keeping informed of the arrangements for looking after the child and of any relevant change in the child’s circumstances.

2.  Keeping informed of the name and address of any person whose views should be taken into account in the course of the review.

3.  Making necessary preparations and providing any relevant information to the participants in any meeting of the responsible authority which considers the child’s case in connection with any aspect of the review.

4.  Initiating meetings of relevant personnel of the responsible authority and other relevant persons to consider the review of the child’s case.

5.  Explaining to the child any steps which he may take under the Order including, where appropriate,—

(a) his right to apply, with leave, for an Article 8 order (residence, contact and other orders with respect to children);

(b) where he is in care, his right to apply for the discharge of the care order; and

(c) the availability of the procedure established under the Order for considering representations.

6.  Making decisions or taking steps following review decisions arising out of, or resulting from, the review.

Regulation 5

SCHEDULE 2 Considerations to which responsible authorities are to have regard

1.  In the case of a child who is in care, whether an application should be made to discharge the care order.

2.  Where the responsible authority is an authority, whether it should seek a change in the child’s legal status.

3.  Arrangements for contact, and whether there is any need for changes in the arrangements in order to promote contact with the child’s family and others, so far as is consistent with his welfare.

4.  Any special arrangements that have been made or need to be made for the child, including the carrying out of assessments either by an authority or other persons, such as those in respect of special educational need under the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986(1).

5.  The responsible authority’s immediate and long-term arrangements for looking after the child or providing the child with accommodation (made pursuant to the provisions of the Arrangements for Placement of Children (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996(2)), whether a change in those arrangements is needed and consideration of alternative courses of action.

6.  Where the responsible authority is an authority, whether an independent visitor should be appointed if one has not already been appointed.

7.  The child’s educational needs, progress and development.

8.  Whether arrangements need to be made for the time when the child will no longer be looked after or provided with accommodation by the responsible authority.

9.  Whether plans need to be made to find a permanent substitute family for the child.

Regulation 5

SCHEDULE 3 Health considerations to which responsible authorities are to have regard

1.  The child’s state of health.

2.  The child’s health history.

3.  The effect of the child’s health and health history on his development.

4.  Existing arrangements for the child’s medical and dental care and treatment, and health and dental surveillance.

5.  The possible need for an appropriate course of action which should be identified to assist necessary change of such care, treatment or surveillance.

6.  The possible need for preventive measures, such as vaccination and immunisation, and screening for vision and hearing.

(1)

S.I. 1986/594 (N.I. 3)

(2)

S.R. 1996 No. 453