PART IIICONDUCT OF FOSTERING SERVICE
Employment of staff21
1
The fostering service provider must—
a
ensure that all permanent appointments are subject to the satisfactory completion of a period of probation; and
b
provide all employees with a job description outlining their responsibilities.
2
The fostering service provider must operate a disciplinary procedure which, in particular—
a
provides for the suspension of an employee where necessary in the interests of the safety or welfare of children placed with foster parents;
b
provides that the failure on the part of an employee to report an incident of abuse, or suspected abuse of a child placed with foster parents to an appropriate person is a ground on which disciplinary proceedings may be instituted.
3
For the purposes of paragraph (2)(b), an appropriate person is—
a
in any case—
i
the registered person, or the manager of the local authority fostering service as the case may be;
ii
an officer of the National Assembly;
iii
an officer of the area authority if applicable;
iv
a police officer;
v
an officer of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children;
b
in the case of an employee of an independent fostering agency, an officer of the responsible authority;
c
in the case of an employee of a fostering agency, an officer of the local authority in whose area the agency is situated.
4
The fostering service provider must ensure that all persons employed by him or her—
a
receive appropriate training, supervision and appraisal; and
b
are enabled from time to time to obtain further qualifications appropriate to the work they perform.