Children
(Placement) (Jersey) Regulations 2005
Made 21st July 2005
Coming into force in
accordance with Regulation 28
THE STATES, in pursuance of Article 20 of and Schedule 2 to the Children
(Jersey) Law 2002,[1] have made the following
Regulations –
part 1
preliminary
1 Interpretation
(1) In
these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires –
“foster care agreement” means the agreement mentioned in Regulation 14(6);
“foster parent” means the person with whom a child is or is proposed to be
placed under Part 4;
“foster placement agreement” means the agreement mentioned in Regulation 16(3);
“Law”
means the Children (Jersey) Law 2002;
“placement” means the provision of accommodation and maintenance by the
Committee for any child whom the Committee is looking after by the means
specified in Article 20(1)(a) and (c) of the Law, but does not mean
placement of a child for adoption, and “place”, “placing”
and “placed”
shall be construed accordingly.
(2) Any
notice required under these Regulations must be given in writing and may be
sent by post.
part 2
general duties of committee
2 Arrangements
for placement
(1) Before
placing a child the Committee shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, make
immediate and long-term arrangements for that placement and for promoting the
welfare of the child who is to be placed.
(2) If
it is not practicable to make those arrangements before the placement the
Committee shall make them as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter.
(3) Where
a child has reached the age of 16 and agrees to being provided with
accommodation under Article 17 of the Law, the arrangements shall, so far
as reasonably practicable, be agreed by the Committee with the child before a
placement is made or, if that is not reasonably practicable, as soon as is
reasonably practicable thereafter.
(4) In
any other case in which a child who is not in the care of the Committee is
provided with accommodation by it, the arrangements shall, so far as reasonably
practicable, be agreed by the Committee with –
(a) a
person with parental responsibility for the child; or
(b) if
there is no such person, the person who is caring for the child,
before a placement is made or, if that is not reasonably
practicable, as soon as is reasonably practicable thereafter.
(5) Any
arrangements made by the Committee under this Regulation shall be recorded in
writing.
3 Considerations
on making, and contents of, arrangements
(1) In
making the arrangements referred to in Regulation 2 the Committee shall have
regard, so far as is reasonably practicable, to the considerations specified in
Schedule 1.
(2) If
the child to be placed is not in the care of the Committee, the arrangements
referred to in Regulation 2 shall include, so far as is reasonably practicable,
arrangements concerning the matters specified in Schedule 2.
4 Notification
of arrangements
(1) The
Committee shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, notify the following
persons before the placement is made, of the arrangements to place the
child –
(a) any
person whose wishes and feelings have been sought under Article 19(2) of
the Law;
(b) if
the child is of compulsory school age (within the meaning of the Education
(Jersey) Law 1999[2]), the Education, Sport and
Culture Committee;
(c) the
child’s doctor;
(d) any
person, not being an officer of the Committee, who was caring for the child
immediately before the arrangements are made;
(e) if
the child is not in the care of the Committee, any person in whose favour a
contact order is in force with respect to the child; and
(f) if
the child is in the care of the Committee, any person who has contact with the
child under Article 27 of the Law or an order under that Article.
(2) If
it is not reasonably practicable for the Committee to give the notification
before the placement, the Committee shall give it as soon as reasonably
practicable thereafter.
(3) The
Committee shall send a copy of the arrangements referred to in Regulation 2, or
such part of the arrangements as the Committee considers will not prejudice the
welfare of the child, with the notification referred to in paragraph (1).
(4) However
in the case of notification to the persons specified in paragraph (1)(b)
to (f) the Committee shall send details of only such part of the arrangements
as the Committee considers those persons need to know.
5 Health
requirements
(1) Subject
to paragraphs (3) and (4), the Committee shall –
(a) before
making a placement, or if that is not reasonably practicable, as soon as
reasonably practicable after a placement is made, make arrangements for a
doctor to conduct an assessment, which may include a physical examination, of
the child’s state of health;
(b) require
the doctor who conducts the assessment to prepare a written report of the
assessment addressing the considerations specified in paragraph 2 of Schedule
1; and
(c) having
regard to those considerations, and, unless paragraph (4) applies, to the
assessment report, prepare a plan for the future health care of the child if
one is not already in existence.
(2) The
Committee shall ensure that each child is provided during the placement
with –
(a) health
care services, including medical and dental care and treatment; and
(b) advice
and guidance on health, personal care and health promotion issues appropriate
to the child’s needs.
(3) Paragraph
(1) does not apply if, within a period of 3 months immediately preceding the
placement, the child’s health has been assessed and a report of the
assessment prepared in accordance with that paragraph.
(4) Paragraph
(1)(a) and (b) do not apply if the child, being of sufficient understanding to
do so, refuses to consent to the assessment.
part 3
placement with parents, etc
6 Scope
of Part 3
(1) This
Part shall apply to every child who is in the care of the Committee and who is,
or is proposed to be, placed with –
(a) his
or her parent;
(b) a
person other than his or her parent but who has parental responsibility for the
child; or
(c) if
there was a residence order in force with respect to the child immediately
before the care order was made, a person in whose favour the residence order
was made.
(2) If
a child who is to be placed is aged 16 or over Regulations 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
and 12(2) shall not apply.
(3) Nothing
in these Regulations shall require the temporary removal of a child from the
person with whom the child is already living and with whom the child may be
placed.
(4) These
Regulations shall not apply in a case to the extent that they are incompatible
with any order made by a court under Article 27 of the Law concerning
contact with children in the care of the Committee.
7 Duties
of Committee in relation to Part 3 placements
(1) The
Committee shall not place a child under this Part unless the Committee is
satisfied that –
(a) the
placement is the most suitable way of performing the Committee’s duty
under Article 19(1) of the Law; and
(b) the
placement that the Committee is considering is the most suitable placement
available having regard to all the circumstances, and in particular the matters
specified in paragraph (2).
(2) Before
placing a child under this Part, the Committee shall make all necessary
enquiries in respect of –
(a) the
health of the child;
(b) the
suitability of the person with whom it is proposed that the child should be
placed;
(c) the
suitability of the proposed accommodation, including the proposed sleeping
arrangements;
(d) the
educational and social needs of the child; and
(e) the
suitability of all other members of the household, aged 16 and over, in
which it is proposed that the child will live.
(3) In
considering the suitability of a person as required by paragraph (2)(b) or
(e), the Committee shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, take into
account the particulars specified in paragraphs 1 or 2 of Schedule 3 as the
case may be.
8 Immediate
placements
(1) Subject
to paragraph (2), nothing in Regulation 7 shall prevent the immediate
placement of a child in circumstances in which the Committee considers it to be
necessary and in accordance with the Committee’s duty under
Article 19(1) of the Law, and in such a case the Committee shall take
steps to ensure that any provisions of this Part that were not complied with
before such placement are complied with as soon as is reasonably practicable
thereafter.
(2) Before
an immediate placement is made under this Regulation the Committee
shall –
(a) arrange
for the person with whom the child is to be placed to be interviewed in order
to obtain as much of the information specified in paragraph 1 of Schedule 3 as
can be readily ascertained at the interview; and
(b) arrange
to obtain as much of the information specified in paragraph 2 of Schedule
3 in relation to other members of the household aged 16 and over, in which
it is proposed that the child will live, as can be readily ascertained at the
time of that interview.
9 Agreements
When the Committee has decided to place a child under this Part the
Committee shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, seek to reach agreement
with the person with whom the child is to be placed on all the particulars
specified in Schedule 4 and the placement shall not be put into effect unless
and until –
(a) agreement
on all such particulars has been reached;
(b) the
agreement has been recorded in writing; and
(c) a
copy of the agreement has been given or sent to that person.
10 Notification
of placements
(1) Subject
to paragraph (3) the Committee shall, so far as is reasonably practicable,
give notice of where the child is to be placed to all the persons whose wishes
and feelings have been sought under Article 19(2) of the Law in relation
to the decision to place the child, and to the persons specified in
paragraph (4).
(2) If
the child is placed with a person other than a parent the notice under
paragraph (1) shall contain –
(a) the
name and address of the person with whom the child is placed;
(b) particulars
of arrangements for contact with the child; and
(c) any
other particulars relating to the care and welfare of the child that the
Committee considers should be supplied.
(3) The
Committee need not give notice under paragraph (1) in the case of a person
whose whereabouts are unknown to the Committee, or cannot be readily
ascertained, or in any case where the Committee determines that to give such
notice would not be in the best interests of the child.
(4) For
the purposes of paragraph (1) the persons specified are –
(a) the
Education, Sport and Culture Committee;
(b) the
child’s doctor;
(c) any
person, not being an officer of the Committee, who has been caring for the
child immediately before the placement; and
(d) where
there was a residence order in force with respect to the child immediately
before the care order was made, the person in whose favour the residence order
was made.
11 Support
and supervision of Part 3 placements
(1) The
Committee shall satisfy itself that the welfare of each child placed by the
Committee continues to be appropriately provided for by the placement and for
that purpose shall –
(a) give
such advice and assistance to the person with whom the child is placed as
appears to the Committee to be necessary; and
(b) make
arrangements for a person authorized by the Committee to visit the child from
time to time as necessary but in any event –
(i) within one week
of the beginning of the placement,
(ii) at intervals of
not more than 6 weeks during the first year of the placement, and
(iii) thereafter at intervals
of not more than 3 months and also whenever reasonably requested by the child
or the person with whom the child is placed.
(2) On
each occasion when a child is visited under this Regulation the Committee shall
ensure that the person that the Committee has authorized to visit the
child –
(a) so
far as is reasonably practicable, sees the child alone; and
(b) prepares
a written report of the visit.
12 Termination
of Part 3 placements
(1) If
it appears to the Committee that the placement is no longer in accordance with
the Committee’s duty in respect of the child under Article 19(1) of
the Law or would prejudice the safety of the child, the Committee shall
terminate the placement and shall remove the child forthwith from the person
with whom the child is placed.
(2) The
Committee shall, so far as is reasonably practicable –
(a) give
notice of any decision to terminate the placement before it is terminated
to –
(i) the child, having
regard to the child’s age and understanding,
(ii) the other persons
whose wishes and feelings have been sought under Article 19(2) of the Law
in relation to the decision to terminate the placement,
(iii) the person with whom
the child is placed,
(iv) the persons mentioned
in Regulation 10(4); and
(b) give
notice of the termination of the placement to the persons mentioned in sub-paragraph (a)(ii)
and (iv).
part 4
placement with foster parents
13 Scope
of Part 4
(1) This
Part applies to any placement of a child by the Committee to which Part 3 does
not apply, other than the placement of a child not in the care of the Committee
with a parent of the child or other person having parental responsibility for
the child.
(2) If
a care order is in force the application of this Part is subject to any
direction given by the court (whether or not it was given after the
commencement of these Regulations).
(3) Nothing
in this part requires the temporary removal of a child from a person with whom
the child is already living before placement under this Part.
14 Approval
of foster parents
(1) Except
in the case of an immediate placement under Regulation 19, a child shall
not be placed with any person unless the person is approved by the Committee as
a foster parent under this Regulation.
(2) Before
approving a person as a foster parent the Committee shall –
(a) interview
2 persons whose names and addresses have been given by the person as referees;
and
(b) obtain
so far as practicable the information specified in Schedule 5 relating to the
person and other members of the person’s household and family.
(3) If,
having regard to the matters mentioned in paragraph (2), the Committee is
satisfied that the person is suitable to act as a foster parent and that the
person’s household is suitable for any child in respect of whom approval
is given, the Committee may approve the person as a foster parent.
(4) The
Committee shall not approve a person as a foster parent if the person is
disqualified for carrying on a voluntary home or for fostering a child
privately under Schedule 4 of the Law unless the person has disclosed the
disqualification to the Committee.
(5) An
approval given under this Regulation may specify that it is given in respect of
–
(a) a
particular named child or children;
(b) a
particular number and age range of children; or
(c) placements
of any particular kind or in any particular circumstances,
and the Committee shall give notice of any such specification to the
foster parent.
(6) Before
the Committee places a child with a foster parent the Committee shall require
the foster parent to enter into a foster care agreement with the Committee in
writing and covering the matters specified in Schedule 6.
(7) If
the Committee decides not to approve a person as a foster parent the Committee
shall give the person notice of the decision and the reasons for it.
15 Reviews
and terminations of approval
(1) Where
a foster parent has been approved under Regulation 14 the Committee shall
review, at intervals of not more than a year, whether or not the foster parent
and the foster parent’s household continue to be suitable and shall
consult the foster parent as part of the review.
(2) If,
as the result of the review, the Committee is no longer satisfied –
(a) that
the specification mentioned in Regulation 14(5) is appropriate the Committee
shall revise the terms; or
(b) that
the foster parent or the foster parent’s household are suitable the
Committee shall terminate the approval from a date to be specified in the
notice under paragraph (3).
(3) The
Committee shall prepare a report of the review and give notice to the foster
parent of the decision, including any decision to revise the specification
mentioned in Regulation 14(5) and the reasons for the decision.
(4) If
a foster parent notifies the Committee that the foster parent no longer wishes
to act as such, or if the Committee is otherwise satisfied that the foster
parent no longer so wishes, the Committee shall terminate the approval from a
date specified by notice to the foster parent.
16 Restrictions
on Part 4 placements
(1) The
Committee shall not place a child under this Part unless the Committee is
satisfied that –
(a) the
placement is the most suitable way of performing the Committee’s duty
under Article 19(1) of the Law; and
(b) the
placement it is considering is the most suitable placement available having
regard to all the circumstances.
(2) In
making arrangements for a placement the Committee shall secure that where
possible the foster parent –
(a) is
of the same religious persuasion as the child; or
(b) gives
an undertaking that the child will be brought up in that religious persuasion.
(3) Except
in the case of an emergency or immediate placement under Regulation 19,
the Committee shall not place a child unless the Committee and the foster
parent have entered into a foster placement agreement relating to the child in
writing and covering the matters specified in Schedule 7.
17 Support
and supervision of Part 4 placements
(1) The
Committee shall satisfy itself that the welfare of each child that the
Committee has placed continues to be appropriately provided for by the
placement and for that purpose shall –
(a) give
such advice and assistance to the foster parent as appears to the Committee to
be necessary; and
(b) make
arrangements for a person authorized by the Committee to visit the child, in
the home in which the child is placed, from time to time as circumstances may
require and when reasonably requested by the child or the foster parent and in
particular (but subject to Regulation 25(3)) –
(i) within one week
of the beginning of the placement,
(ii) at intervals of
not more than 6 weeks during the first year of the placement, and
(iii) thereafter at intervals
of not more than 3 months and also whenever reasonably requested by the child
or the person with whom the child is placed.
(2) In
case of an emergency or immediate placement under Regulation 19 the
Committee shall arrange for the child to be visited at least once in each week
during the placement.
(3) On
each occasion when a child is visited under this Regulation the Committee shall
ensure that the person the Committee has authorized to visit the
child –
(a) so
far as is reasonably practicable, sees the child alone; and
(b) prepares
a written report of the visit.
18 Termination
of Part 4 placements
The Committee shall terminate a placement under this Part if the
Committee considers that the placement is no longer the most suitable way of
performing the Committee’s duty under Article 19(1) of the Law.
19 Emergency
and immediate placements
(1) Subject
to paragraph (2), where arrangements have been made for the placement of a
child in an emergency the Committee may for a period not exceeding 72 hours
place the child with any person approved under Regulation 14.
(2) Before
making an emergency placement under paragraph (1) the Committee
shall –
(a) satisfy
itself that it is the most suitable way of performing the Committee’s
duty under Article 19(1) of the Law; and
(b) obtain
a written agreement from the person with whom the child is to be placed that
the person will carry out the duties specified in paragraph (4).
(3) If
the Committee is satisfied that the immediate placement of a child is necessary
the Committee may, for a period not exceeding 12 weeks, place the child with a
person who has not been approved under Regulation 14 provided that –
(a) the
person is a relative or friend of the child;
(b) the
person has made a written agreement with the Committee to carry out the duties
specified in paragraph (4); and
(c) after
interviewing the person, inspecting the person’s accommodation and
obtaining information about other persons living in the person’s
household, the Committee is satisfied that the placement is the most suitable
way of performing the Committee’s duty under Article 19(1) of the
Law.
(4) The
duties referred to in paragraph (2)(b) and (3)(b) are –
(a) to
care for the child as if the child were a member of that person’s family;
(b) to
permit any person authorized by the Committee to visit the child at any time;
(c) if
the placement is terminated, to allow the Committee to remove the child at any
time;
(d) to
ensure that any information that the person may acquire relating to the child,
or to the child’s family or any other person that has been given to the
person in confidence in connection with the placement is kept confidential and
is not disclosed except to, or with the agreement of, the Committee; and
(e) to
allow contact with the child in accordance with –
(i) Article 27
of the Law in relation to a child in care,
(ii) a contact order,
and
(iii) any arrangements made
or agreed by the Committee.
part 5
records
20 Establishment
of records
(1) The
Committee shall compile and maintain a written case record in respect of each
child whom the Committee places.
(2) The
record shall include –
(a) a
copy of the arrangements referred to in Regulation 2;
(b) a
copy of any written report in the Committee’s possession concerning the
welfare of the child;
(c) a
copy of any document considered or record established in the course of or as a
result of a review of the child’s case;
(d) details
of arrangements for contact, of contact orders and of other court orders
relating to the child; and
(e) details
of any arrangements whereby another person acts on behalf of the Committee.
21 Case
records for foster parents and others with whom a child is placed
(1) The
Committee shall compile and maintain a record for each foster parent whom the
Committee has approved under Regulation 14 and for each person, not being an
approved foster parent, with whom a child is placed under Regulation 19.
(2) Every
document compiled under paragraph (1) shall include copies of each of the
documents specified in paragraph (3) and the information specified in
paragraph (4).
(3) The
documents referred to in paragraph (2) are –
(a) the
notice of approval under Regulation14;
(b) the
foster care agreement;
(c) any
report of review of approval as mentioned in Regulation 15(3);
(d) any
notice of termination of approval under Regulation 15(3) or (4); and
(e) any
agreement specified in Regulation19(3)(b).
(4) The
information referred to in paragraph (2) is –
(a) a
record of each placement with the foster parent or person, not being an
approved foster parent, with whom the child is placed under Regulation 19,
including the name, age and sex of each child placed, the dates on which each
placement began and terminated and the circumstances of the termination;
(b) the
information obtained by the Committee in relation to the approval of the foster
parent and in relation to any review of termination of the approval; and
(c) the
information obtained under Regulation 19(3)(c).
(5) The
Committee shall compile a record for each person to whom notice is given under
Regulation 14(7) that the person is not approved as a foster parent, the record
to include a copy of the notice and the information as to the person and the
person’s household and family obtained by the Committee under Regulation
14(2)(b).
22 Register
of placements
The Committee, shall, in respect of every child placed, enter into a
register to be maintained for the purpose –
(a) the
name, sex and date of birth of the child;
(b) the
name and address of the person with whom the child is placed and, if different,
of the child’s parent or other person not being a parent of the child who
has parental responsibility for the child;
(c) whether
the Committee considers that the child is at risk of being abused; and
(d) the
date on which each placement of the child began and terminated and the reason
for each termination.
23 Register
of foster parents, etc
(1) The
Committee shall enter in a register maintained for the purpose the particulars
specified in paragraph (2) for each foster parent approved under
Regulation 14 and each person, not being an approved foster parent, with whom a
child is placed under Regulation 19.
(2) The
particulars mentioned in paragraph (1) are –
(a) the
name and address of the foster parent (or, where foster parents are approved
jointly, of both foster parents) or other person with whom the child is placed
under Regulation 19;
(b) the
date of the approval under Regulation 14 or agreement specified in
Regulation 19(3)(b); and
(c) the
terms of the notice of approval under Regulation 14 or of the agreement
specified in Regulation 19(3)(b) as for the time being in force.
24 Retention
and confidentiality of records
(1) A
case record relating to a child who is placed shall be retained until the 75th
anniversary of the date of birth of the child to whom it relates or, if the
child dies before attaining the age of 18, for a period of 15 years
beginning with the date of the child’s death.
(2) Entries
in the register maintained under Regulation 22 shall be retained until the
child to whom the entry relates attains the age of 23 or, if the child has died
before attaining 23, the period of 5 years beginning with the date of the
child’s death.
(3) The
record for a foster parent or other person compiled under Regulation 21 and any
entry relating to the foster parent or other person in the register maintained
under Regulation 23 shall be retained for at least 10 years from the date on
which the foster parent’s approval is terminated, or until the foster
parent’s death, whichever is the earlier.
(4) The
Committee shall secure the safe keeping of any register or record required to
be retained under this Part and shall take all necessary steps to ensure that
information contained in them is treated as confidential, subject only
to –
(a) any
provision of or under any enactment under which access to such records or
information may be obtained or given;
(b) any
court order under which access to such records or information may be obtained
or given.
part 6
miscellaneous provisions
25 Application
of Regulations to short-term placements
(1) This
Regulation applies where the Committee has arranged to place a child in a
series of short-term placements with the same person and the arrangement is
that –
(a) no
single placement is to last for more than 4 weeks; and
(b) the
total duration of the placements is not to exceed 120 days in any period of 12
months.
(2) Any
series of short-term placements to which this Regulation applies may be treated
as a single placement for the purposes of these Regulations but with the
modifications set out in paragraph (3).
(3) Regulations
11(1)(b) and 17(1)(b) shall apply as if those paragraphs required
arrangements to be made for visits to the child on a day when the child is in
fact placed (a “placement day”) –
(a) within
the first 7 placement days of a series of short-term placements; and
(b) thereafter,
if the series of short term placements continues, at intervals of not more than
6 months or, if the interval between placements exceeds 6 months, during the
next placement.
26 Placements
outside Jersey
Where the Committee makes arrangements to place a child outside
Jersey the Committee shall take steps to ensure that, so far as is reasonably
practicable, the requirements that would have applied under these Regulations,
had the child been placed in Jersey, are complied with.
27 Amendments
consequential upon move to Ministerial government
Schedule 8 shall have effect for the purpose of amending these
Regulations in the event of the commencement of Article 42(3) of the
States of Jersey Law 2005.[3]
28 Citation
and commencement
(1) These
Regulations may be cited as the Children (Placement) Regulations 2005.
(2) These
Regulations, apart from Schedule 8, shall come into force on 1st
August 2005.
(3) Schedule
8 shall come into force on the same day that Article 42(3) of the States
of Jersey Law 2005 comes into force.
M.N. DE LA HAYE
Greffier of the States.
SCHEDULE 1
(Regulation 3(1))
CONSIDERATIONS TO WHICH the committee is
TO HAVE REGARD in making arrangements for placement
1 General
considerations
(1) In
the case of a child who is in the care of the Committee, whether an application
should be made to discharge the care order.
(2) Whether
the Committee should seek a change in the child’s legal status.
(3) Arrangements
for contact, and whether there is any need for changes in the arrangements in
order to promote contact with the child’s family and others, so far as is
consistent with the child’s welfare.
(4) The
Committee’s immediate and long term arrangements for the child, previous
arrangements in respect of the child, and whether a change in those
arrangements is needed and consideration of alternative courses of action.
(5) Whether
an independent visitor should be appointed if one has not already been
appointed.
(6) Whether
arrangements need to be made for the time when the child will no longer be
looked after by the Committee.
(7) Whether
plans need to be made to find a permanent substitute family for the child.
2 Health
considerations
(1) The
child’s state of health, including physical, emotional and mental health.
(2) The
child’s health history including, as far as practicable the child’s
family health history.
(3) The
effect of the child’s health and health history on the child’s
development.
(4) Existing
arrangements for the child’s medical and dental care, treatment and surveillance.
(5) The
possible need for an appropriate course of action to assist any necessary
change in such care, treatment or surveillance.
(6) The
possible need for preventive measures such as vaccination and immunisation, and
screening for vision and hearing, and for advice and guidance on health,
personal care and health promotion issues appropriate to the child’s
needs.
3 Educational
considerations
(1) The
child’s educational history.
(2) The
need to achieve continuity in the child’s education.
(3) The
need to identify any educational need that the child may have and to take
action to meet that need.
(4) The
need to carry out any assessment in respect of any special educational need
under Article 30 of the Education
(Jersey) Law 1999 and to meet any such needs identified by the
assessment.
SCHEDULE 2
(Regulation 3(2))
MATTERS TO BE INCLUDED IN ARRANGEMENTS TO
ACCOMMODATE CHILDREN WHO ARE NOT IN CARE
1. The
type of accommodation to be provided and its address together with the name of
any person who will be responsible for the child at that accommodation on
behalf of the Committee.
2. The
details of any services to be provided for the child.
3. The
respective responsibilities of the Committee and –
(a) the
child;
(b) any
parent of the child; and
(c) any
person who is not a parent of the child but who has parental responsibility for
the child.
4. What
delegation there has been by the persons referred to in paragraph 3(b) and
(c) to the Committee of parental responsibility for the child’s day to
day care.
5. The
arrangements for involving those persons and the child in decision making with
respect to the child having regard to the Committee’s duty under
Article 17(6) of the Law to ascertain and give due consideration to the
child’s wishes and the Committee’s general duty in relation to
children the Committee looks after under Article 19 of the Law.
6. The
arrangements for contact between the child and –
(a) the
child’s parents;
(b) any
person who is not a parent of the child but who has parental responsibility for
the child; and
(c) any
relative, friend or other person connected with the child,
and if appropriate. the reasons why contact with any such person
would not be reasonably practicable or would be inconsistent with the
child’s welfare.
7. The
arrangements for notifying changes in arrangements for contact to any of the
persons referred to in paragraph 6.
8. In
the case of a child who has reached the age of 16 whether the child agrees
to being provided with accommodation under Article 17 of the Law.
9. The
expected duration of arrangements and the steps that should apply to bring the
arrangements to an end, including arrangements for rehabilitation of the child
with the person with whom the child was living before the arrangements were
made or some other suitable person, having regard in particular to
Article 20(2) of, and paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 to, the Law.
SCHEDULE 3
(Regulation 7(3))
matters TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN
CONSIDERING SUITABILITY OF placements under part 3
1. In
respect of a person with whom it is proposed the child should be
placed –
(a) age;
(b) health;
(c) personality;
(d) marital
status and particulars of any previous marriage;
(e) previous
experience of looking after and capacity to look after children and capacity to
care for the child;
(f) the
result of any application to have a child placed with the person to adopt a
child or of any application for registration under Article 2 of the Day Care of Children (Jersey) Law 2002[4] (registration of day carers)
or any previous legislation of like effect and details of any prohibition on
the person acting as a day carer, providing day care, or caring for foster
children privately or for children in a voluntary home or children’s
home;
(g) details
of children in the person’s household, whether living there or not;
(h) religious
persuasion and degree of observance, racial origin and cultural and linguistic
background;
(i) past
and present employment and leisure activities and interests;
(j) details
of the living standards and particulars of accommodation of the person’s
household;
(k) subject
to the provisions of the Rehabilitation of
Offenders (Jersey) Law 2001[5] and any Regulations made under it,
any criminal conviction.
2. In
respect of members of the household aged 16 and over of a person with whom
a child is to be placed, so far as is practicable, all the particulars
specified in paragraph 1(a), (b), (c), (d), (f), (i), and (k).
SCHEDULE 4
Regulation 9
matters ON WHICH THERE SHOULD BE
AGREEMENT WITH THE PERSON WITH WHOM A CHILD IS TO BE PLACED under part 3
1. The
Committee’s plans for the child and the objectives of the placement.
2. The
arrangements for support of the placement.
3. Arrangements
for visiting the child in connection with the supervision of the placement by
the person authorized by or on behalf of the Committee, and frequency of
visits.
4. Arrangements
for contact, if any, (including prohibition of contact) in pursuance of
Article 27 of the Law (parental contact etc for children in care).
5. Removal
of the child from the placement in the circumstances specified in Regulation
12.
6. The
need to notify the Committee of relevant changes in circumstances of the person
with whom the child is placed, including any intention to change the
child’s address, changes in the household in which the child will live
and any serious occurrence involving the child such as injury or death.
7. The
provision of a statement concerning the health of the child, the child’s
need for health care and surveillance, and the child’s educational needs
and the Committee’s arrangements to provide for all such needs.
8. Any
arrangements for any delegation and exercise of responsibility for consent to
medical examination or treatment.
9. The
need to ensure that any information relating to any child or the child’s
family or any other person given in confidence to the person with whom the
child is placed in connection with the placement is kept confidential and that
such information is not disclosed to any person without the consent of the
Committee.
10. The
circumstances in which it is necessary to obtain in advance the approval of the
Committee for the child living, even temporarily, in a household other than the
household of the person with whom the child has been placed.
11. The
arrangements for requesting a change in the agreement.
SCHEDULE 5
(Regulation 14(2)(b))
information AS TO PROSPECTIVE FOSTER
PARENT AND OTHER MEMBERS OF his or her HOUSEHOLD AND FAMILY
1. The
person’s full name, address and date of birth.
2. Details
of the person’s health (supported by a medical report), personality,
marital status and details of any current and previous marriage or long-term
relationship.
3. Particulars
of the other adult members of the person’s household.
4. Particulars
of the children in the person’s family, whether or not members of the
person’s household, and any other children in the household.
5. Particulars
of the person’s accommodation.
6. The
person’s religious persuasion, the degree of the person’s religious
observance and the person’s capacity to care for a child from any
particular religious persuasion.
7. The
person’s racial origin, cultural and linguistic background and capacity
to care of a child from any particular racial origin or cultural or linguistic
background.
8. The
person’s past and present employment or occupation, standard of living
and leisure activities and interests.
9. The
person’s previous experience (if any) of caring for his or her own, and
other, children.
10. The
person’s skills, competence and potential relevant to his or her capacity
to care effectively for a child placed with him or her.
11. Subject
to the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Jersey)
Law 2001 and any Regulations made under it, any criminal
convictions of the person and those of any adult members of the person’s
household.
12. The
names and addresses of 2 persons who will provide personal reference for the
person.
13. The
outcome of any request or application made by the person or any other member of
his or her household to foster or adopt children or for registration under
Article 2 of the Day Care of Children
(Jersey) Law 2002 or any previous legislation of like effect.
SCHEDULE 6
(Regulation 14(6))
matters and obligations to be covered in
foster care agreements
1. The
terms of the foster parent’s approval.
2. The
amount of support and training to be given to the foster parent.
3. The
procedure for the review of approval of a foster parent.
4. The
procedure in connection with the placement of foster children, and in particular –
(a) the
matters to be covered in any foster placement agreement and the respective
obligations under any such agreement of the Committee and the foster parent;
(b) the
Committee’s arrangements for meeting any legal liabilities of the foster
parent arising by reason of the placement; and
(c) the
procedure available to foster parents for making representations to the
Committee.
5. A
requirement for the foster parent to give written notice to the Committee
forthwith, with full particulars, of –
(a) any
intended change in the foster parent’s address;
(b) any
change in the composition of the foster parent’s household;
(c) any
other change in the foster parent’s personal circumstances and any other
event affecting either his or her capacity to care for any child placed or the
suitability of the foster parent’s household; and
(d) any
further request or application of a kind mentioned in paragraph 13 of Schedule
5.
6. A
prohibition on the foster parent administering corporal punishment to any child
placed with the foster parent.
7. A
requirement that any information relating to a child placed with the foster
parent, to the child’s family or to any other person, that has been given
to the foster parent in confidence in connection with a placement is kept
confidential and is not disclosed to any person without the consent of the
Committee.
8. A
requirement for the foster parent to comply with the terms of any foster
placement agreement, to care for the child placed with the foster parent as if
the child were a member of the foster parent’s family and to promote the
child’s welfare having regard to the Committee’s long and
short-term arrangements for the child.
9. A
requirement for the foster parent to keep the Committee informed about the
child’s progress and to notify the Committee immediately of significant
events affecting the child.
10. A
requirement, if the placement is terminated, for the foster parent to allow the
Committee to remove the child from the foster parent’s home.
SCHEDULE 7
(Regulation 16(3))
matters and obligations to be covered in
foster placement agreements
1. A
requirement for the Committee to provide a statement containing all the
information that the Committee considers necessary to enable the foster parent
to care for the child and, in particular, information as to –
(a) the
Committee’s arrangements for the child and the objectives of the
placement in the context of the Committee’s plan for the care of the
child;
(b) the
child’s personal history, religious persuasion and cultural and linguistic
background and racial origin;
(c) the
child’s state of health and identified health needs; and
(d) the
child’s educational needs,
including a requirement for the statement to be provided either at
the time of the signing of the agreement or, where this is not practicable,
within the following 14 days.
2. The
Committee’s arrangements for the financial support of the child during
placement.
3. Any
arrangements for giving consent to the medical or dental examination or
treatment of the child.
4. The
circumstances in which it is necessary to obtain in advance the approval of the
Committee for the child to live, even temporarily, away from the foster
parent’s home.
5. The
arrangements for visits to the child, in connection with the supervision of the
placement by the person authorized by or on behalf of the Committee.
6. The
arrangements for the child to have contact with his or her parents and other
persons, including any arrangements in pursuance of Article 27 of the Law
in relation to a child in care, and details of any contact order.
7. Compliance
by the foster parent with the terms of the foster care agreement.
8. Co-operation
by the foster parent with any arrangements made by the Committee for the child.
SCHEDULE 8
(Regulation 27)
amendments consequential upon move to
ministerial government
(1) In
the following provisions of these Regulations for the word
“Committee” in each place where it appears there shall be
substituted the word “Minister” –
(a) the
definition “placement” in Regulation 1(1);
(b) Regulations
2 and 3;
(c) Regulation
4 (except for the reference in paragraph (1)(b) and (d));
(d) Regulation
5(1) and (2);
(e) Regulation
6(1) and (4);
(f) the
heading to Regulation 7 and Regulations 7 to 9;
(g) Regulation
10(1), (2) and (3);
(h) Regulations
11 and 12;
(i) Regulation
13(1);
(j) Regulations
14 to 20;
(k) Regulation
21(1), (4)(b) and (5);
(l) Regulation
22;
(m) Regulation
23(1);
(n) Regulation
24(4);
(o) Regulation
25(1);
(p) Regulation
26;
(q) paragraph
1(1), (2), and (6) of Schedule 1;
(r) paragraphs
1, 3, 4 and 5 of Schedule 2;
(s) paragraphs
3, 6, 9 and 10 of Schedule 4;
(t) paragraphs
4, 5, 7, 9 and 10 of Schedule 6; and
(u) paragraphs
1, 4, 5 and 8 of Schedule 7.
(2) In
the heading to Part 2 and Schedule 1 for the word “COMMITTEE” there
shall be substituted the word “MINISTER”.
(3) In
the following provisions of these Regulations for the word
“Committee’s” in each place where it appears there shall be
substituted the word “Minister’s” –
(a) Regulation
7(1)(a);
(b) Regulation
8(1);
(c) Regulation
12(1);
(d) Regulation 16(1)(a);
(e) Regulation 18;
(f) Regulation 19(2)(a)
and (3)(c);
(g) Regulation 20(2)(b);
(h) paragraph
1(4) of Schedule 1;
(i) paragraph
5 of Schedule 2;
(j) paragraphs
1 and 7 of Schedule 4;
(k) paragraphs
4(b) and 8 of Schedule 6; and
(l) paragraphs
1(a) and 2 of Schedule 7.
(4) In
Regulations 4(1)(b) and 10(4)(a) for the words “Education, Sport and
Culture Committee” there shall be substituted the words “Minister
for Education, Sport and Culture”.
(5) In
Regulations 4(1)(d) and 10(4)(c) for the words “officer of the
Committee” there shall be substituted the words “officer of an
administration of the States for which the Minister is assigned
responsibility”.
(6) In
Regulations 11(1), 17(1) and 19(2)(a) for the word
“itself” there shall be substituted the words “himself or
herself”.