Explanatory note

These Regulations apply where a local authority foster a child who is looked after by them under the Children (Scotland) Act 1995. They supersede the Boarding Out and Fostering of Children (Scotland) Regulations 1985 (S.I. 1985/1799).

These Regulations make provision for the establishment of fostering panels and specify the functions of such panels (regulations 4-6). They prescribe the procedures to be followed by local authorities in approving persons as foster carers (regulations 7-10) and the procedures to be followed in making arrangements to foster children (regulations 12-14). The main change to the Regulations is that provision is made for local authorities collectively to enter into agreements with voluntary organisations to discharge general fostering arrangements on their behalf (regulation 16).