PART XIII SARRANGEMENTS WITH REGISTERED FOSTERING SERVICES
Arrangements with registered fostering servicesS
48.—(1) Each local authority may individually or jointly enter into arrangements with one or more registered fostering services for the purposes of carrying out the functions mentioned in paragraph (2) in relation to children who are looked after by them in terms of section 17(6) of the 1995 Act.
(2) The functions are those specified in Parts ... VI, [VII,] VIII [and] X, ... of these Regulations.
(3) A local authority must not make arrangements under this regulation unless–
(a)they are satisfied–
(i)as to the capacity of the registered fostering service to discharge duties and functions on their behalf; and
(ii)the arrangements are the most suitable way for those duties and functions to be discharged;
(b)they enter into a written agreement with the registered fostering service regarding the matters in Part 1 of Schedule 7; and
(c)where they propose to make arrangements in respect of a particular child, they enter into a written agreement with the registered fostering service regarding the matters in Part II of Schedule 7.
(4) Each local authority entering into an arrangement under this regulation must review the arrangement at intervals of not more than 12 months.
(5) No registered fostering service shall be permitted to place a child outside the United Kingdom.
Visits by local authoritiesS
49.—(1) This regulation applies where, by virtue of an arrangement made under regulation 48, a registered fostering service places a child with a foster carer in accordance with these Regulations.
(2) The local authority must arrange for one of their officers to visit the child within 28 days of the placement.
(3) Where the registered fostering service which placed the child with the carer makes representations to the local authority that there are circumstances relating to the child which require a visit, the local authority must arrange for one of their officers to visit the child within 14 days from the day they receive those representations.
(4) Where the local authority are informed that the welfare of the child may not be or is not being safeguarded or promoted, the local authority must arrange for one of their officers to visit the child as soon as reasonably practicable but not later than 3 days from the day they are so informed.