Regulation 16 Arrangements for the protection of children

Changes not yet applied. Later legislation changes this provision in ways not yet written into the text below:

reg. 16(2)(c) word substituted by Children’s Homes 2011 reg. 5(1)
reg. 16(2)(f)(iii) word substituted by Children’s Homes 2011 reg. 5(1)
reg. 16(2)(g) word substituted by Children’s Homes 2011 reg. 5(1)
reg. 16(4)(b) words inserted by Children’s Homes 2011 reg. 8
reg. 16(4)(b) substituted by Children’s Homes and Looked after Children 2013 reg. 8(a)
reg. 16(5)(6) inserted by Children’s Homes and Looked after Children 2013 reg. 8(b)

(1)

The registered person shall prepare and implement a written policy which—

(a)

is intended to safeguard children accommodated in the children’s home 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) shall in particular provide for—

(a)

liaison and co-operation with any local authority which is, or may be, making child protection enquiries in relation to any child accommodated in the children’s home;

(b)

the prompt referral to the local authority in whose area the children’s home is situated, of any allegation of abuse or neglect affecting any child accommodated in the children’s home;

(c)

notification (in accordance with regulation 30) of the instigation and outcome of any child protection enquiries involving any child accommodated in the children’s home, to the Commission and the child’s placing authority;

(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 to the measures which may be necessary to protect children in the children’s home following an allegation of abuse or neglect;

(f)

a requirement for persons working at the home to report any concerns about the welfare or safety of a child accommodated there to one of the following—

(i)

the registered person;

(ii)

a police officer;

(iii)

an officer of the Commission;

(iv)

an officer of the local authority in whose area the home is situated, or

(v)

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

(g)

arrangements to be made for persons working at the home and children accommodated there, to have access at all times and in an appropriate form, to information which would enable them to contact the local authority in whose area the children’s home is situated, or the Commission, concerning the welfare or safety of children accommodated in the home.

(3)

In this regulation “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.

(4)

The registered person shall prepare and implement as required—

(a)

a written policy for the prevention of bullying in the children’s home, which shall in particular set out the procedure for dealing with an allegation of bullying; and

(b)

a procedure to be followed when any child accommodated in a children’s home is absent without permission.