Regulation 16

(1)

Local authorities may individually or jointly enter into arrangements with one or more voluntary organisations in relation to children looked after by the local authorities under Parts II and III of these Regulations for the voluntary organisations to discharge on their behalf their duties in relation to fostering under those Parts of these Regulations.

(2)

Local authorities shall not make arrangements under this regulation unless–

(a)

they are satisfied–

(i)

as to the capacity of the voluntary organisations to discharge duties on their behalf; and

(ii)

that those arrangements are the most suitable way for those duties to be discharged; and

(b)

they enter into a written agreement with the voluntary organisations about the arrangements, providing for consultation and for exchange of information and reports between the authority and the voluntary organisations.

(3)

A voluntary organisation may not place a child outside the British Islands^f1.

(4)

Local authorities shall review any arrangements made under paragraph (1), and any agreement under paragraph (2)(b), at intervals of not more than 12 months.

Annotations

Footnotes

f1: “British Islands” are defined in the Interpretation Act 1978 (c. 30) as meaning the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.