Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (Wales) Regulations 2015 (“the 2015 Regulations”) and the Fostering Panels (Establishment and Functions) (Wales) Regulations 2018 (“the 2018 Regulations”).

The 2015 Regulations make provision about care planning for looked after children, and other associated matters.

The 2018 Regulations impose requirements on fostering services providers in relation to the establishment and functions of fostering panels, and in relation to the assessment of prospective foster carers.

Regulation 3 amends the 2015 Regulations to make changes in relation to the placement of children with connected persons under section 81(6)(a) of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (anaw 4).

Regulation 3(2) amends regulation 31 of the 2015 Regulations by providing for the frequency of visits to these placements to be at intervals of not more than 6 months.

Regulation 3(3) amends regulation 39 of the 2015 Regulations by providing for the frequency of reviews of these placements to be at intervals of not more than 12 months.

Regulation 4 amends the 2018 Regulations.

Regulation 4(2) amends regulation 2 of the 2018 Regulations to provide that references to members of a person’s household include any person living in the household whether under a placement or other arrangement with the local authority.

Regulation 4(3) amends regulation 7 of the 2018 Regulations to change the requirements for the assessment of prospective foster carers.

Regulation 4(4) adds a new regulation 10A to the 2018 Regulations to make provision for information sharing between fostering services providers.

Regulation 4(5) makes provision for amendments to Schedule 1 to the 2018 Regulations. The amendments include provision for a new Part 3 of Schedule 1 that sets out the information to be provided when assessing a prospective foster carer who is a relative, friend or other person connected with the child.

The Welsh Ministers’ Code of Practice on the carrying out of Regulatory Impact Assessments was considered in relation to these Regulations. As a result, a regulatory impact assessment has been prepared as to the likely costs and benefits of complying with these Regulations. A copy can be obtained from the Health, Social Care and Early Years Group, Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ and is published on www.gov.wales.