SCHEDULE 5 Voluntary Homes and Voluntary Organisations
Part II Regulations as to Voluntary Homes
Regulations as to conduct of voluntary homes
7
(1)
The Secretary of State may make regulations—
(a)
as to the placing of children in voluntary homes;
(b)
as to the conduct of such homes; and
(c)
for securing the welfare of children in such homes.
(2)
The regulations may, in particular—
(a)
prescribe standards to which the premises used for such homes are to conform;
(b)
impose requirements as to the accommodation, staff and equipment to be provided in such homes, and as to the arrangements to be made for protecting the health of children in such homes;
(c)
provide for the control and discipline of children in such homes;
(d)
require the furnishing to the Secretary of State of information as to the facilities provided for—
(i)
the parents of children in the homes; and
(ii)
persons who are not parents of such children but who have parental responsibility for them; and
(iii)
other persons connected with such children,
to visit and communicate with the children;
(e)
authorise the Secretary of State to limit the number of children who may be accommodated in any particular voluntary home;
F1[0(f)
prohibit the use of accommodation for the purpose of restricting the liberty of children in such homes;]
F2(ff)
require the approval of the Secretary of State for the provision and use of accommodation for the purpose of restricting the liberty of children in such homes and impose other requirements (in addition to those imposed by section 25) as to the placing of a child in accommodation provided for that purpose, including a requirement to obtain the permission of any local authority who are looking after the child;
(g)
impose requirements as to the keeping of records and giving of notices with respect to children in such homes;
(h)
impose requirements as to the facilities which are to be provided for giving religious instruction to children in such homes;
(i)
require notice to be given to the Secretary of State of any change of the person carrying on or in charge of a voluntary home or of the premises used by such a home.
(3)
The regulations may provide that a contravention of, or failure to comply with, any specified provision of the regulations without reasonable excuse shall be an offence against the regulations.
(4)
Any person guilty of such an offence shall be liable to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.