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

Arrangements between authorities and voluntary organisations as to placements

8.—(1) Where an authority looking after a child is satisfied that the child should be placed with a foster parent, it may make arrangements under this regulation for the other duties imposed on it under this Part in relation to the child to be discharged on its behalf by a voluntary organisation.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), an authority shall not make arrangements under this regulation in relation to any child unless—

(a) it is satisfied—

(i) as to the capacity of the voluntary organisation to discharge duties on the authority’s behalf in relation to that child, and

(ii) that those arrangements are the most suitable way for those duties to be so discharged; and

(b) the authority enters into a written agreement with the voluntary organisation about the arrangements relating to the child, providing for consultation and for exchange of information and reports between the authority and the organisation.

(3) Where an authority has satisfied itself that a voluntary organisation has the general capacity to discharge the duties imposed on it under this Part in relation to children, the requirements set out in paragraph (2)(a)(i) shall be deemed to be satisfied in relation to each child who is the subject of arrangements with that organisation under paragraph (1).