The Residential Family Centres (Wales) Regulations 2003

Arrangements for the protection of children

12.—(1) The registered person must prepare and implement a written child protection policy which —

(a) is intended to safeguard children accommodated in the residential family centre from abuse or neglect; and

(b) sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of any allegation of abuse or neglect.

(2) The procedure under paragraph (1)(b) must in particular provide for —

(a) liaison and co-operation with any local authority which is making child protection enquiries in relation to any child accommodated in the residential family centre;

(b) the prompt referral to the local authority in whose area the residential family centre is situated, of any allegations of abuse or neglect affecting any child accommodated in the residential family centre;

(c) notification of the instigation and outcome of any child protection enquiries involving any child accommodated in the residential family centre, to the appropriate office of the National Assembly;

(d) written records to be kept of any allegation of abuse or neglect, and of the action taken in response;

(e) consideration to be given in each case to the measures which may be necessary to protect children in the residential family centre following an allegation of abuse or neglect;

(f) a requirement for employees of the registered person to report any concerns about the welfare or safety of any child accommodated at the residential family centre to one of the following —

(i) the registered person;

(ii) a police officer;

(iii) an officer of the appropriate office of the National Assembly;

(iv) an officer of the local authority for the area in which the residential family centre is situated, or

(v) an officer of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children;

(g) arrangements to be made for residents and persons working at the residential family centre, to have access at all times and in an appropriate form, to information which would enable them to contact the local authority for the area in which the residential family centre is situated, or the appropriate office of the National Assembly concerning the welfare or safety of children accommodated in the residential family centre.

(3) In this regulation—

(a) “child protection enquiries” means any enquiries carried out by a local authority in the exercise of any of its functions conferred by or under the 1989 Act relating to the protection of children; and

(b) “child” also includes any parent who is under the age of 18.

(4) The registered person must prepare and implement a written policy for the prevention of bullying in the residential family centre which includes, in particular, a procedure for dealing with an allegation of bullying.