The Residential Family Centres Regulations 2002

PART I E+W GENERAL

Citation, commencement and application E+W

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Residential Family Centres Regulations 2002 and shall come into force on 1st April 2003.

(2) These Regulations apply to residential family centres in England only.

Interpretation E+W

2.—(1) In these Regulations—

• “the 2000 Act” means the Care Standards Act 2000;

• “the 1989 Act” means the Children Act 1989 F1 ;

• “child protection enquiry” has the meaning given to it by regulation 12(3)(a);

• “family” means a child and his parent accommodated or to be accommodated together in a residential family centre, and the expression “member of the family” shall be construed accordingly;

• “general practitioner” means a registered medical practitioner who—

  (a)

  provides general medical services under Part II of the National Health Service Act 1977 F2 ;

  (b)

  performs personal medical services in connection with a pilot scheme under the National Health Service (Primary Care) Act 1997 F3 ; or

  (c)

  provides services which correspond to services provided under Part II of the National Health Service Act 1977 otherwise than in pursuance of that Act;

• “organisation” means a body corporate or any unincorporated association other than a partnership;

• “parent” has the meaning given to it by section 4(2) of the 2000 Act F4 ;

• “placement plan” means the plan prepared in accordance with regulation 13;

• “placing authority” means, in relation to a family, the local authority or other body that has arranged for the family to be accommodated in a residential family centre;

• “registered manager”, in relation to a residential family centre, means a person who is registered under Part II of the Act as the manager of the residential family centre;

• “registered person”, in relation to a residential family centre, means any person who is the registered provider or the registered manager of the residential family centre;

• “registered provider”, in relation to a residential family centre, means a person who is registered under Part II of the Act as the person carrying on the residential family centre;

• “resident” means any person who is for the time being accommodated in a residential family centre;

• “responsible individual” shall be construed in accordance with regulation 5; and

• “statement of purpose” means the written statement compiled in accordance with regulation 4.

(2) In these Regulations, save where otherwise provided, references to a child do not include a parent accommodated in a residential family centre who is under the age of 18.

(3) In these Regulations, references to employing a person include employing a person whether or not for payment, and whether under a contract of service or a contract for services, and allowing a person to work as a volunteer, and references to an employee or to a person being employed shall be construed accordingly.

Textual Amendments

F1 1989 c. 41.

F2 1977 c. 49.

F3 1997 c. 46.

F4 Section 4(2) of the 2000 Act provides that “parent” in relation to a child, includes any person who is looking after that child.

Excepted establishments E+W

3.  For the purposes of the 2000 Act, an establishment is excepted from being a residential family centre if—

(a) it is a health service hospital, an independent hospital, an independent clinic or a care home;

(b) it is a hostel or a domestic violence refuge; or

(c) the main purpose of the establishment is to provide accommodation together with other services or facilities to adults, and the fact that those adults may be parents, or may be accompanied by their children, is incidental to the main purpose of the establishment.

Statement of purpose and resident’s guide E+W

4.—(1) The registered person shall compile in relation to the residential family centre a written statement (in these Regulations referred to as “the statement of purpose”) which shall consist of a statement as to the matters listed in Schedule 1.

(2) The registered person shall provide a copy of the statement of purpose to the Commission F5 and shall make a copy of it available, upon request, for inspection by—

(a) any person who works at the residential family centre;

(b) any resident;

(c) any local authority exercising any functions under the 1989 Act in relation to any resident.

(3) The registered person shall produce a written guide to the residential family centre (the “resident’s guide”) which shall include a summary of the statement of purpose, and shall supply a copy of it to the Commission and to each parent accommodated in the residential family centre.

(4) The registered person shall—

(a) keep under review and where appropriate revise the statement of purpose and resident’s guide; and

(b) notify the Commission within 28 days of any such revision.

(5) Subject to paragraph (6) the registered person shall ensure that the residential family centre is at all times conducted in a manner which is consistent with its statement of purpose.

(6) Nothing in paragraph (5) or in regulations 14(1) or 21(1) shall require or authorise the registered person to contravene or not comply with—

(a) any other provision of these Regulations; or

(b) the conditions for the time being in force in relation to the registration of the registered person under Part II of the 2000 Act.

Textual Amendments

F5 The National Care Standards Commission;see section 6(1) of the 2000 Act.

PART II E+W REGISTERED PERSONS

Fitness of registered provider E+W

5.—(1) A person shall not carry on a residential family centre unless he is fit to do so.

(2) A person is not fit to carry on a residential family centre unless the person—

(a) is an individual who carries on the residential family centre—

(i) otherwise than in partnership with others, and satisfies the requirements set out in paragraph (3);

(ii) in partnership with others, and he and each of his partners satisfies the requirements set out in paragraph (3);

(b) is a partnership, and each of the partners satisfies the requirements set out in paragraph (3);

(c) is an organisation and—

(i) the organisation has given notice to the Commission of the name, address and position in the organisation of an individual (in these Regulations referred to as “the responsible individual”) who is a director, manager, secretary or other officer of the organisation and is responsible for supervising the management of the residential family centre; and

(ii) that individual satisfies the requirements set out in paragraph (3).

(3) The requirements are that—

(a) he is of integrity and good character;

(b) he is physically and mentally fit to carry on the residential family centre; and

(c) he provides in relation to himself, full and satisfactory information in respect of each of the matters listed in Schedule 2.

(4) A person shall not carry on a residential family centre if—

(a) he has been adjudged bankrupt or sequestration of his estate has been awarded and (in either case) he has not been discharged and the bankruptcy order has not been annulled or rescinded; or

(b) he has made a composition or arrangement with his creditors, and has not been discharged in respect of it.

Appointment of manager E+W

6.—(1) The registered provider shall appoint an individual to manage a residential family centre if—

(a) there is no registered manager in respect of the residential family centre; and

(b) the registered provider—

(i) is an organisation or a partnership;

(ii) is not a fit person to manage a residential family centre; or

(iii) is not, or does not intend to be, in full-time day to day charge of the residential family centre.

(2) Where the registered provider appoints a person to manage the residential family centre, he shall forthwith give notice to the Commission of—

(a) the name of the person so appointed; and

(b) the date on which the appointment is to take effect.

Fitness of manager E+W

7.—(1) A person shall not manage a residential family centre unless he is fit to do so.

(2) A person is not fit to manage a residential family centre unless—

(a) he is of integrity and good character;

(b) having regard to the size of the residential family centre, the statement of purpose, and the number and needs of the residents—

(i) he has the qualifications, skills and experience necessary to manage the centre; and

(ii) he is physically and mentally fit to do so;

(c) he provides in relation to himself full and satisfactory information in respect of each of the matters listed in Schedule 2.

Registered person—general requirements E+W

8.—(1) The registered provider and the registered manager shall, having regard to the size of the residential family centre, the statement of purpose, and the number and needs of the residents, carry on or manage the centre (as the case may be) with sufficient care, competence and skill.

(2) If the registered provider is—

(a) an individual, he shall undertake;

(b) an organisation, it shall ensure that the responsible individual undertakes;

(c) a partnership, it shall ensure that one of the partners undertakes,

from time to time such training as is appropriate to ensure that he has the skills necessary for carrying on the residential family centre.

(3) The registered manager shall undertake from time to time such training as is appropriate to ensure that he has the skills necessary for managing the residential family centre.

Notification of offences E+W

9.  Where the registered person or the responsible individual is convicted of any criminal offence, whether in England and Wales or elsewhere, he shall forthwith give notice in writing to the Commission of—

(a) the date and place of the conviction;

(b) the offence of which he was convicted; and

(c) the penalty imposed on him in respect of the offence.

PART III E+W CONDUCT OF RESIDENTIAL FAMILY CENTRES

Health and welfare of residents E+W

10.—(1) The registered person shall ensure that the residential family centre is conducted so as to—

(a) promote and make proper provision for the health and welfare of residents;

(b) make such provision for the care, treatment, education and supervision of residents as is appropriate to their age and needs.

(2) The registered person shall, so far as is practicable, ascertain and take into account the wishes and feelings of residents when making decisions concerning their health and welfare, or the manner in which they are treated.

(3) The registered person shall make suitable arrangements to ensure that the residential family centre is conducted—

(a) in a manner which respects the privacy and dignity of residents; and

(b) with due regard to the sex, religious persuasion, racial origin, and cultural and linguistic background and any disability of residents.

(4) In complying with this regulation, the registered person shall, wherever there is a conflict between the interests of the members of a family, treat the welfare of the child in that family as paramount.

Further requirements as to health and welfare E+W

11.—(1) The registered person shall make arrangements for residents to have access to such medical advice or treatment as may be necessary.

(2) The registered person shall make arrangements for the recording, handling, safe keeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the residential family centre.

(3) The registered person shall make suitable arrangements to prevent infection, toxic conditions and the spread of infection at the residential family centre.

(4) The registered person shall ensure that—

(a) all parts of the residential family centre to which residents have access are so far as reasonably practicable free from hazards to their safety;

(b) any activities in which residents participate are so far as reasonably practicable free from avoidable risks; and

(c) unnecessary risks to the health or safety of residents are identified and so far as possible eliminated.

(5) The registered person shall make arrangements, by training persons working at the residential family centre or by other measures, to prevent residents being harmed or suffering abuse or being placed at risk of harm or abuse.

(6) The registered person shall ensure that no resident is subject to physical restraint unless restraint of the kind employed is the only practicable means of securing the welfare of that or any other resident and there are exceptional circumstances.

(7) On any occasion on which a resident is subject to physical restraint, the registered person shall record the circumstances, including the nature of the restraint.

(8) The registered person shall ensure that persons working at the residential family centre use no form of corporal punishment at any time on any child or parent under the age of 18 who is accommodated in the residential family centre.

Arrangements for the protection of children E+W

12.—(1) The registered person shall prepare and implement a written child protection policy which—

(a) is intended to safeguard children accommodated in the residential family centre from abuse or neglect; and

(b) sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of any allegation of abuse or neglect.

(2) The procedure under paragraph (1)(b) must in particular provide for—

(a) liaison and co-operation with any local authority which is making child protection enquiries in relation to any child accommodated in the residential family centre;

(b) the prompt referral to the local authority in whose area the residential family centre is situated, of any allegations of abuse or neglect affecting any child accommodated in the residential family centre;

(c) notification (in accordance with regulation 26) of the instigation and outcome of any child protection enquiries involving any child accommodated in the residential family centre, to the Commission and the child’s placing authority;

(d) written records to be kept of any allegation of abuse or neglect, and of the action taken in response;

(e) consideration to be given in each case to the measures which may be necessary to protect children in the residential family centre following an allegation of abuse or neglect;

(f) a requirement for persons working at the residential family centre to report any concerns about the welfare or safety of any child accommodated in the residential family centre to one of the following—

(i) the registered person;

(ii) a police officer;

(iii) an officer of the Commission;

(iv) an officer of the local authority in whose area the residential family centre is situated; or

(v) an officer of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children;

(g) arrangements to be made for residents and persons working at the residential family centre, to have access at all times and in an appropriate form, to information which would enable them to contact the local authority in whose area the residential family centre is situated, or the Commission, concerning the welfare or safety of children accommodated in the residential family centre.

(3) In this regulation—

(a) “child protection enquiries” means any enquiries carried out by a local authority in the exercise of any of its functions conferred by or under the 1989 Act relating to the protection of children; and

(b) “child” also includes any parent who is under the age of 18.

(4) The registered person shall prepare and implement a written policy for the prevention of bullying in the residential family centre which includes, in particular, a procedure for dealing with an allegation of bullying.

Placements E+W

13.—(1) The registered person shall, before providing a family with accommodation in the residential family centre, or if that is not reasonably practicable, as soon as possible thereafter, draw up in consultation with the placing authority a written plan (in these Regulations referred to as “the placement plan”) setting out, in particular—

(a) the facilities and services to be provided during the course of the placement;

(b) the objectives and intended outcome of the placement.

(2) The registered person shall keep under review and revise the placement plan as necessary.

(3) In preparing or reviewing the placement plan the registered person shall, so far as practicable—

(a) seek and take account of the views of the members of the family;

(b) take account of any relevant assessment or other report relating to any member of the family which may be provided by the placing authority.

(4) The registered person shall supply a copy of the placement plan and any revision of it to the placing authority and to the parent within the family to which it relates.

Facilities and services E+W

14.—(1) Subject to regulation 4(6), the registered person shall provide facilities and services to residents in accordance with the statement of purpose.

(2) The registered person shall having regard to the size of the residential family centre and the number and needs of residents—

(a) provide telephone facilities which are suitable for the needs of residents, and make arrangements to enable residents to use such facilities in private;

(b) provide in rooms occupied by families adequate furniture, bedding and other furnishings, including curtains, floor coverings, and equipment;

(c) provide adequate laundry facilities for parents to wash, dry and iron clothes and linen for their families;

(d) provide sufficient and suitable cleaning materials and equipment;

(e) provide sufficient and suitable kitchen equipment, crockery, cutlery and utensils, and adequate facilities for the storage of food;

(f) provide suitable facilities for parents to prepare food for their families, and suitable dining facilities for residents;

(g) take adequate precautions against risk of accidents, including the training of persons working at the residential family centre in first aid;

(h) provide a place where the money and valuables of residents may be deposited for safe keeping; and

(i) provide adequate facilities for recreation and leisure.

Staffing of residential family centre E+W

15.  The registered person shall ensure that there is, having regard to—

(a) the statement of purpose of the residential family centre, its size and the numbers and needs of its residents; and

(b) the need to safeguard and promote the health and welfare of residents,

a sufficient number of suitably qualified, competent and experienced persons working for the residential family centre.

Fitness of workers E+W

16.—(1) The registered person shall not—

(a) employ a person to work at the residential family centre unless that person is fit to work at a residential family centre; or

(b) allow a person to whom paragraph (2) applies, to work at the residential family centre unless that person is fit to work at a residential family centre.

(2) This paragraph applies to any person who is employed by a person other than the registered person in a position in which he may in the course of his duties have regular contact with residents.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1), a person is not fit to work at a residential family centre unless—

(a) he is of integrity and good character;

(b) he has the qualifications, skills and experience necessary for the work he is to perform;

(c) he is physically and mentally fit for the work he is to perform; and

(d) full and satisfactory information is available in relation to him in respect of each of the matters specified in Schedule 2.

(4) The registered person shall ensure that—

(a) any offer of employment to a person is subject to paragraph (3)(d) being complied with in relation to that person; and

(b) unless paragraph (5) applies, no person starts work at a residential family centre until such time as paragraph (3)(d) has been complied with in relation to him.

(5) Where the following conditions apply, the registered person may permit a person to start work at the residential family centre notwithstanding paragraph (4)(b)—

(a) the registered person has taken all reasonable steps to obtain full information in respect of each of the matters specified in Schedule 2 in respect of that person, but the enquiries in relation to any of the matters specified in paragraphs 3 to 6 of Schedule 2 are incomplete;

(b) full and satisfactory information in respect of that person has been obtained in relation to the matters specified in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 2;

(c) the registered person considers that the circumstances are exceptional; and

(d) pending receipt of, and satisfying himself with regard to, any outstanding information, the registered person ensures that the person is appropriately supervised while carrying out his duties.

(6) The registered person shall take reasonable steps to ensure that any person working at the residential family centre who is not employed by him and to whom paragraph (2) does not apply is appropriately supervised while carrying out his duties.

Employment of staff E+W

17.—(1) The registered person shall—

(a) ensure that all permanent appointments are subject to the satisfactory completion of a period of probation; and

(b) provide all employees with a job description outlining their responsibilities.

(2) The registered person must operate a disciplinary procedure which, in particular—

(a) provides for the suspension of an employee where necessary in the interests of the safety or welfare of children accommodated in the residential family centre;

(b) provides that the failure on the part of an employee to report an incident of abuse, or suspected abuse of a child accommodated in the residential family centre to an appropriate person is a ground on which disciplinary proceedings may be instituted.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(b), an appropriate person is—

(a) the registered person;

(b) an officer of the Commission;

(c) a police officer;

(d) an officer of the local authority in whose area the residential family centre is situated; or

(e) an officer of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

(4) In paragraph (2), “child” also includes a parent who is under the age of 18.

(5) The registered person shall ensure that all persons employed by him—

(a) receive appropriate training, supervision and appraisal; and

(b) are enabled from time to time to obtain further qualifications appropriate to the work they perform.

Staff views as to conduct of residential family centre E+W

18.  The registered person shall make arrangements to enable persons working at the residential family centre to inform the registered person and the Commission about any matter relating to the conduct of the residential family centre so far as it may affect the health or welfare of residents.

Records E+W

19.—(1) The registered person shall maintain in respect of each family accommodated in the residential family centre a record which—

(a) includes the information, documents and other records specified in Schedule 3 relating to the members of the family;

(b) is kept up to date;

(c) is retained in the residential family centre so long as the family to which it relates is accommodated there; and

(d) is retained in a place of security for a period of fifteen years from the date of the last entry.

(2) The record referred to in paragraph (1) shall be kept securely and may not be disclosed to any person except in accordance with—

(a) any provision of, or made under, or by virtue of, a statute under which access to such records is authorised; or

(b) any court order authorising access to such records.

(3) The registered person shall also maintain the records specified in Schedule 4 in respect of the residential family centre.

(4) The registered person shall ensure that the records referred to in paragraph (3) are—

(a) kept up to date;

(b) retained in the residential family centre for a period of not less than three years from the date of the last entry.

Complaints E+W

20.—(1) The registered person shall establish a procedure (“the complaints procedure”) for considering complaints made to the registered person by a resident or a person acting on behalf of a resident.

(2) The registered person shall ensure that any complaint made under the complaints procedure is fully investigated.

(3) The registered person shall provide a written copy of the complaints procedure on request to any resident and any person acting on behalf of a resident.

(4) The written copy of the complaints procedure shall include—

(a) the name and address of the Commission; and

(b) the procedure (if any) that has been notified by the Commission to the registered person for the making of complaints to the Commission relating to residential family centres.

(5) The registered person shall, within 28 days after the date on which the complaint is made, or such shorter period as may be reasonable in the circumstances, inform the person who made the complaint of the action (if any) that is to be taken.

(6) The registered person must ensure that a written record is made of any complaint or representation, the action taken in response, and the outcome of the investigation.

(7) The registered person shall supply to the Commission at its request a statement containing a summary of the complaints made during the preceding twelve months and the action that was taken.

PART IV E+W PREMISES

Fitness of premises E+W

21.—(1) Subject to regulation 4(6), the registered person shall not use premises for the purposes of a residential family centre unless—

(a) the premises are suitable for the purpose of achieving the aims and objectives set out in the statement of purpose; and

(b) the location of the premises is appropriate to the needs of residents.

(2) The registered person shall ensure that—

(a) the physical design and layout of the premises to be used as the residential family centre meet the needs of families;

(b) the premises to be used as the residential family centre are of sound construction and kept in a good state of repair externally and internally;

(c) all parts of the residential family centre are kept clean and reasonably decorated;

(d) adequate private and communal accommodation is provided for families;

(e) the size and layout of rooms occupied or used by families are suitable for their needs, and each family is provided with at least one room for its exclusive use;

(f) suitable facilities are provided for residents to meet, in private, any person authorised by the Commission;

(g) there are provided at appropriate places in the premises sufficient numbers of lavatories, and of wash-basins, baths and showers fitted with a hot and cold water supply;

(h) the premises are equipped with what is reasonably necessary, and adapted as necessary, in order to meet the needs arising from the disability of any disabled resident;

(i) suitable facilities are provided for private study for any resident requiring them;

(j) external grounds which are suitable for, and safe for use by, residents are provided and appropriately maintained;

(k) adequate ventilation, heating and lighting is provided in all parts of the residential family centre which are used by residents.

(3) The registered person shall provide for persons working at the residential family centre—

(a) suitable facilities and accommodation, other than sleeping accommodation, including—

(i) facilities for the purpose of changing;

(ii) storage facilities;

(b) sleeping accommodation where the provision of such accommodation is needed for persons working at the residential family centre in connection with their work.

Fire precautions E+W

22.—(1) The registered person shall after consultation with the fire authority—

(a) take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment;

(b) provide adequate means of escape;

(c) make adequate arrangements—

(i) for detecting, containing and extinguishing fires;

(ii) for giving warnings of fires;

(iii) for the evacuation, in the event of fire, of all persons in the residential family centre and safe placement of residents;

(iv) for the maintence of all fire equipment; and

(v) for reviewing fire precautions, and testing fire equipment, at suitable intervals;

(d) make arrangements for persons working at the residential family centre to receive suitable training in fire prevention; and

(e) ensure, by means of fire drills and practices at suitable intervals, that the persons working at the residential family centre and, so far as practicable, residents, are aware of the procedure to be followed in case of fire, including the procedure for saving life.

(2) In this regulation, “fire authority” means the authority discharging in the area in which a residential family centre is situated, the function of fire authority under the Fire Services Act 1947 F6 .

Textual Amendments

F6 1947 c. 41.

PART V E+W MANAGEMENT

Review of quality of care E+W

23.—(1) The registered person shall establish and maintain a system for—

(a) reviewing at appropriate intervals; and

(b) improving,

the quality of care provided at the residential family centre.

(2) The registered person shall supply to the Commission a report in respect of any review conducted by him for the purposes of paragraph (1), and make a copy of the report available to residents.

(3) The system referred to in paragraph (1) shall provide for consultation with residents.

Financial position E+W

24.—(1) The registered provider shall carry on the residential family centre in such manner as is likely to ensure that it will be financially viable for the purpose of achieving the aims and objectives set out in the statement of purpose.

(2) The registered person shall—

(a) ensure that adequate accounts are maintained and kept up to date in respect of the residential family centre;

(b) supply a copy of the accounts to the Commission at its request.

(3) The registered person shall, if the Commission so requests, provide the Commission with such information and documents as it may require for the purpose of considering the financial viability of the residential family centre, including—

(a) the annual accounts of the residential family centre certified by an accountant;

(b) a certificate of insurance for the registered provider in respect of liability which may be incurred by him in relation to the residential family centre in respect of death, injury, public liability, damage or other loss.

Visits by registered provider E+W

25.—(1) Where the registered provider is an individual, but is not in day to day charge of the residential family centre, he shall visit the residential family centre in accordance with this regulation.

(2) Where the registered provider is an organisation or a partnership, the residential family centre shall be visited in accordance with this regulation by—

(a) the responsible individual or one of the partners, as the case may be;

(b) another of the directors or other persons responsible for the management of the organisation or partnership; or

(c) an employee of the organisation or partnership who is not directly concerned with the conduct of the residential family centre.

(3) Visits under paragraph (1) or (2) shall take place at least once a month and may be unannounced.

(4) The person carrying out the visit shall—

(a) interview, with their consent and in private, such of the residents and persons working at the residential family centre as appears necessary in order to form an opinion of the standard of care provided in the residential family centre;

(b) inspect the premises of the residential family centre, its daily log of events and records of any complaints; and

(c) prepare a written report on the conduct of the residential family centre.

(5) The registered provider shall supply a copy of the report required to be made under paragraph (4)(c) to—

(a) the Commission;

(b) the registered manager; and

(c) in the case of a visit under paragraph (2)—

(i) where the registered provider is an organisation, to each of the directors or other persons responsible for the management of the organisation; and

(ii) where the registered provider is a partnership, to each of the partners.

PART VI E+W MISCELLANEOUS

Notifiable events E+W

26.—(1) If, in relation to a residential family centre, any of the events listed in column 1 of the table in Schedule 5 takes place, the registered person shall without delay notify the persons indicated in respect of the event in column 2 of the table.

(2) The registered person shall without delay notify the parent accommodated in the residential family centre with a child of any significant incident affecting the child’s welfare unless to do so is not reasonably practicable or would place the child’s welfare at risk.

(3) Any notification made in accordance with this regulation which is given orally shall be confirmed in writing.

(4) References in column 1 of the table in Schedule 5 to a centre shall be construed as references to a residential family centre.

(5) References in column 2 of the table to a local authority shall be construed as references to the local authority in whose area the residential family centre is situated.

Notice of absence E+W

27.—(1) Where—

(a) the registered provider if he is the person in day to day charge of the residential family centre; or

(b) the registered manager,

proposes to be absent from the residential family centre for a continuous period of 28 days or more, the registered person shall give notice in writing to the Commission of the proposed absence.

(2) Except in the case of an emergency, the notice referred to in paragraph (1) shall be given at least 28 days before the proposed absence is to start, or within such shorter period as may be agreed with the Commission, and the notice shall specify—

(a) the length or expected length of the proposed absence;

(b) the reason for the proposed absence;

(c) the arrangements which have been made for the running of the residential family centre during that absence;

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

(4) Where—

(a) the registered provider if he is the person in day to day charge of the residential family centre; or

(b) the registered manager,

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

(5) The registered person shall inform the Commission 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.

Notice of changes E+W

28.  The registered person shall give notice in writing to the Commission as soon as it is practicable to do so if any of the following events takes place or is proposed to take place—

(a) a person other than the registered person carries on or manages the residential family centre;

(b) a person ceases to carry on or manage the residential family centre;

(c) where the registered person is an individual, he changes his name;

(d) where the registered provider is a partnership, there is any change in the membership of the partnership;

(e) where the registered provider is an organisation—

(i) the name or address of the organisation is changed;

(ii) there is any change of director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the organisation;

(iii) there is to be any change of responsible individual;

(f) where the registered provider is an individual, a trustee in bankruptcy is appointed;

(g) where the registered provider is a company or a partnership, a receiver, manager, liquidator or provisional liquidator is appointed in respect of the registered provider; or

(h) the premises of the residential family centre are to be significantly altered or extended, or additonal premises are acquired.

Appoint of liquidators etc. E+W

29.—(1) Any person to whom paragraph (2) applies must—

(a) forthwith notify the Commission of his appointment indicating the reasons for it;

(b) appoint a manager to take full-time day to day charge of the residential family centre in any case where there is no registered manager; and

(c) within 28 days of his appointment, notify the Commission of his intentions regarding the future operation of the residential family centre.

(2) This paragraph applies to any person appointed as—

(a) the receiver or manager of the property of a company or a partnership which is a registered provider of a residential family centre;

(b) a liquidator or provisional liquidator of a company which is the registered provider of a residential family centre; or

(c) the trustee in bankruptcy of a registered provider of a residential family centre.

Death of registered person E+W

30.—(1) If more than one person is registered in respect of a residential family centre, and a registered person dies, the other registered person shall without delay notify the Commission of the death in writing.

(2) If only one person is registered in respect of a residential family centre, and he dies, his personal representatives shall notify the Commission in writing—

(a) without delay of the death; and

(b) within 28 days of their intentions regarding the future operation of the residential family centre.

(3) The personal representatives of a deceased registered provider may carry on the residential family centre without being registered in respect of it—

(a) for a period not exceeding 28 days;

(b) for any further period as may be determined in accordance with paragraph (4).

(4) The Commission may extend the period specified in paragraph (3)(a) by such further period, not exceeding one year, as the Commission shall determine and shall notify any such determination to the personal representatives in writing.

(5) The personal representatives shall appoint a person to take full-time day to day charge of the residential family centre during any period in which, in accordance with paragraph (3), they carry on the residential family centre without being registered in respect of it.

Offences E+W

31.—(1) A contravention or failure to comply with any of the provisions of regulations 4 and 9 to 28 shall be an offence.

(2) The Commission shall not bring proceedings against a person in respect of any contravention or failure to comply with those regulations unless—

(a) subject to paragraph (4), he is a registered person;

(b) notice has been given to him in accordance with paragraph (3);

(c) the period specified in the notice, within which the registered person may make representations to the Commission, has expired; and

(d) in a case where, in accordance with paragraph (3)(b), the notice specifies any action that is to be taken within a specified period, the period has expired and the action has not been taken within that period.

(3) Where the Commission considers that the registered person has contravened or failed to comply with any of the provisions of the regulations mentioned in paragraph (1), it may serve a notice on the registered person specifying—

(a) in what respect in its opinion the registered person has contravened or is contravening any of the regulations, or has failed or is failing to comply with the requirements of any of the regulations;

(b) where it is practicable for the registered person to take action for the purpose of complying with any of those regulations, the action which, in the opinion of the Commission, the registered person should take for that purpose;

(c) the period, not exceeding three months, within which the registered person should take any action specified in accordance with sub-paragraph (b);

(d) the period, not exceeding one month, within which the registered person may make representations to the Commission about the notice.

(4) The Commission may bring proceedings against a person who was once, but no longer is, a registered person, in respect of a failure to comply with regulation 19 and for this purpose, references in paragraphs (2) and (3) to a registered person shall be taken to include such a person.

Compliance with regulations E+W

32.  Where there is more than one registered person in respect of a residential family centre, anything which is required under these Regulations to be done by the registered person shall, if done by one of the registered persons, not be required to be done by any of the other registered persons.

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Health

Jacqui Smith

Minister of State

Department of Health

21 December 2002