Regulation 31 Frequency of visits

England and Wales

(1)

As part of its arrangements for supervising C's well-being, the responsible authority must ensure that its representative (“R”) visits C in accordance with this regulation, wherever C is living.

(2)

Subject to paragraphs (3) to (6), the responsible authority must ensure that R visits C—

(a)

within one week of the start of any placement,

(b)

at intervals of not more than 6 weeks for the first year of any placement, and

F1(c)

thereafter—

(i)

where the placement is made in accordance with section 81(6)(a) of the 2014 Act, at a frequency to be determined by the responsible authority following consultation with the IRO, F, P and C that must be at intervals of not more than 6 months,

(ii)

where the placement is not made in accordance with section 81(6)(a) but is intended to last until C is 18, at intervals of not more than 3 months, and

(iii)

in any other case, at intervals of not more than 6 weeks.

(3)

Where regulation 20 applies, the responsible authority must ensure that R visits C—

(a)

at least once a week until the first review carried out in accordance with Part 6, and

(b)

thereafter at intervals of not more than 6 weeks.

(4)

Where regulation 26 applies, or where an interim care order has been made in relation to C under section 38 of the 1989 Act (interim orders) and C is living with P, the responsible authority must ensure that R visits C—

(a)

at least once a week until the first review carried out in accordance with Part 6, and

(b)

thereafter at intervals of not more than 4 weeks.

(5)

Where a care order has been made in relation to C under section 31 of the 1989 Act (care and supervision orders) and C is living with P, the responsible authority must ensure that R visits C—

(a)

within one week of the making of the care order, and

(b)

thereafter at intervals of not more than 6 weeks.

(6)

Where C is in the care of the responsible authority but another person is responsible for the arrangements under which C is living for the time being (“C's living arrangements”), the responsible authority must ensure that R visits C—

(a)

within one week of the start of C's living arrangements and within one week of any change to C's living arrangements,

(b)

at intervals of not more than 6 weeks for the first year thereafter, and

(c)

at intervals of not more than 3 months in any subsequent year.

(7)

In addition to visits in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (6), the responsible authority must ensure that R visits C—

(a)

whenever reasonably requested to do so by—

(i)

(ii)

where paragraphs (2), (3) or (4) apply, the appropriate person, or

(iii)

where paragraph (5) applies, the person responsible for C's living arrangements,

(b)

within one week of first receiving notification under section 30A M1 of the Care Standards Act 2000 M2 (notification of matters relating to persons carrying on or managing certain establishments or agencies) F2or under section 39 of the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 (notifying local authorities of certain action under this part), where the children's home in which C is placed for the time being is referred to in the notification.

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1: Reg. 31(2)(c) substituted (1.4.2026) by The Fostering Panels and Care Planning (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2026 (W.S.I. 2026/16), regs. 1(2), 3(2)
F2: Words in reg. 31(7)(b) inserted (2.4.2018) by The Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 (Consequential Amendments to Secondary Legislation) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/48), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 35(4)

Marginal citations

M1: Section 30A was inserted by section 29 of the 2008 Act.
M2: 2000 c. 14.