Children Act 1989

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;

(f) prohibit the use of accommodation for the purpose of restricting the liberty of children in such homes;

(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.

Disqualification

8 The Secretary of State may by regulation make provision with respect to the disqualification of persons in relation to voluntary homes of a kind similar to that made in relation to children’s homes by section 65.