The Arrangements for Placement of Children by Voluntary Organisations and Others (England) Regulations 2011

PART 3 E+W Placements by a voluntary organisation with a foster parent

General duty of voluntary organisation E+W

11.  A voluntary organisation(1) must not place a child with a foster parent unless they are satisfied that—

(a) the placement is the most suitable way of performing their duty under section 61(1)(a) and (b) of the 1989 Act, and

(b) placement with a particular foster parent is the most suitable placement having regard to all the circumstances.

Commencement Information

I1 Reg. 11 in force at 1.4.2011, see reg. 1(1)

Making of placements E+W

12.—(1) A voluntary organisation may only place a child with a foster parent if—

(a) the foster parent is approved by—

(i) that voluntary organisation, or

(ii) provided the conditions specified in paragraph (2) are satisfied, another fostering service provider,

(b) the terms of the foster parent’s approval are consistent with the proposed placement, and

(c) the foster parent has entered into a foster care agreement either with the voluntary organisation or with another fostering service provider in accordance with regulation 27(5)(b) of the Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011(2).

(2) The conditions referred to in paragraph (1)(a)(ii) are—

(a) that the fostering service provider by whom the foster parent is approved, consents to the placement, and

(b) that any other fostering service provider or any local authority which already have a child placed with the foster parent, consent to the placement.

Commencement Information

I2 Reg. 12 in force at 1.4.2011, see reg. 1(1)

Visits E+W

13.—(1) A voluntary organisation must satisfy themselves that the welfare of each child placed by them with a foster parent continues to be suitably provided for by the placement, and for that purpose the voluntary organisation must make arrangements for a person authorised by the organisation to visit the child, where the child is living—

(a) from time to time as circumstances may require,

(b) when reasonably requested by the child or the foster parent, and

(c) in any event (subject to regulation 28)—

(i) in the first year of the placement, within 1 week from the start of the placement and then at intervals of not more than 6 weeks, and

(ii) subsequently, at intervals of not more than 3 months.

(2) On each occasion on which the child is visited under this regulation the voluntary organisation must ensure that the person they have authorised to carry out the visit—

(a) sees the child alone unless the child, being of sufficient age and understanding to do so, refuses, and

(b) prepares a written report of the visit.

Commencement Information

I3 Reg. 13 in force at 1.4.2011, see reg. 1(1)

(1)

A voluntary organisation which places children with foster parents under section 59(1) of the 1989 Act is a fostering agency and must be registered under Part 2 of the 2000 Act (see section 11 of that Act).

(2)

S.I. 2011/ 581.