The Residential Care Homes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005

Notice of absence

31.—(1) Where –

(a) the registered provider, if he is an individual; or

(b) the registered manager;

proposes to be absent from the home for a continuous period of 28 days or more, the registered person shall give notice in writing to the Regulation and Improvement Authority of the proposed absence.

(2) Except in the case of an emergency, the notice referred to in paragraph (1) above shall be given no later than 28 days before the proposed absence commences or within such shorter period as may be agreed with the Regulation and Improvement Authority 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 the running of the home during that absence;

(d) the name, address and qualifications of the person who will be responsible for the home 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 home 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 mentioned in sub-paragraphs (a) to (e) of paragraph (2).

(4) Where –

(a) the registered provider, if he is an individual; or

(b) the registered manager;

has been absent from the home for a continuous period of 28 days or more, and the Regulation and Improvement Authority has not been given notice of the absence, the registered person shall without delay give notice in writing to the Regulation and Improvement Authority of the absence, specifying the matters mentioned in sub-paragraphs (a) to (e) of paragraph (2).

(5) The registered person shall notify the Regulation and Improvement Authority 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.