The Foster Placement (Children) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996

Placements

5.—(1) A responsible authority is not to place a child with a foster parent unless it is satisfied that—

(a) that is the most suitable way of performing its duty under (as the case may be) Article 26(1) or 76(1)(a) and (b) of the Order; and

(b) placement with the particular foster parent is the most suitable placement having regard to all the circumstances.

(2) In making arrangements for a placement, a responsible authority shall secure that where possible the foster parent is—

(a) of the same religious persuasion as the child; or

(b) gives an undertaking that the child will be brought up in that religious persuasion.

(3) Consistent with the terms of any approval given under regulation 3, a responsible authority may place a child with a foster parent whom it has itself approved or, provided the conditions specified in paragraph (4) are satisfied, with a foster parent approved by another authority or voluntary organisation.

(4) The conditions referred to in paragraph (3) are that—

(a) the approving authority consents to the placement;

(b) any other authority or voluntary organisation who already has a child placed with the foster parent also consents to the placement; and

(c) the area authority (if it is not also the approving authority) is consulted, and its views taken into account.

(5) A responsible authority which places a child after consulting an area authority under paragraph (4)(c) shall give notice of the placement to the area authority.

(6) Except in the case of an emergency or immediate placement under regulation 11, a responsible authority is not to place a child unless the responsible authority and the foster parent have entered into a written agreement relating to that child covering the matters and obligations specified in Schedule 3.