Regulation 25 Fitness of workersI1

employ a person to work at the children’s home unless that person is fit to work at a children’s home; or

allow a person to whom paragraph (2) applies to work at the children’s home unless that person is fit to work at a children’s home.

he is of integrity and good character;

he has the qualifications, skills and experience necessary for the work he is to perform;

in respect of a team leader or a residential social worker, he has the qualifications, skills and experience necessary for the work he is to perform and is registered as a social worker in a relevant F3part of the register;

he is physically and mentally fit for the purposes of the work he is to perform;

F4subject to sub-paragraph (g), where he is a social care worker, he is registered in a relevant F5part of the register^f1; and

F6...full and satisfactory information is available in relation to him in respect of each of the matters specified in Schedule 2F7;

any offer of employment to a person is subject to paragraph (3)(f) being complied with in relation to that person; and

unless paragraph (5) applies, no person starts work at a children’s home until such time as paragraph (3)(f) has been complied with in relation to him F9but this is subject to paragraphs (7) to (9) .

the registered person has taken all reasonable steps to obtain full information in respect of each of the matters listed in Schedule 2 in respect of that person, but the enquiries in relation to any of the matters listed in paragraphs 3 to 6 of Schedule 2 are incomplete;

F11...full and satisfactory information in respect of that person has been obtained in relation to the matters specified in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 2;

the registered person considers that the circumstances are exceptional; and

pending receipt of, and satisfying himself with regard to, any outstanding information, the registered person ensures that the person is appropriately supervised while carrying out his duties.

employ a person (“P”) to work at a children’s home,

allow a person to whom paragraph (2) applies (“P”) to work at a children’s home,

has applied for whichever of the following certificates would be required to be obtained in respect of P under paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 in the absence of paragraph (7)—

has requested the information and documents mentioned in paragraphs 3 to 6 of Schedule 2; and

has obtained confirmation in writing from the Department of Justice that P is not included in the children’s barred list maintained under Article 6(1)(a) of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007.

ensure that, so far as is reasonably practicable, an appropriately qualified and experienced member of staff supervises P when P is on duty until the information and documents mentioned in paragraphs 2 to 6 of Schedule 2 have been obtained; and

ensure that P does not escort a child away from the children’s home unless accompanied by the supervisory staff member or another appropriately qualified and experienced member of staff.