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

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.

(1)

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

(2)

S.R. 1996 No. 453