Regulation 21 Employment of staff

(1)

The fostering service provider shall—

(a)

ensure that all permanent appointments are subject to the satisfactory completion of a period of probation; and

(b)

provide all employees with a job description outlining their responsibilities.

(2)

The fostering service provider shall operate a disciplinary procedure which, in particular—

(a)

provides for the suspension of an employee where necessary in the interests of the safety or welfare of children placed with foster parents;

(b)

provides that the failure on the part of an employee to report an incident of abuse, or suspected abuse of a child placed with foster parents to an appropriate person is a ground on which disciplinary proceedings may be instituted.

(3)

For the purposes of paragraph (2)(b), an appropriate person is—

(a)

in any case—

(i)

the registered person, or the manager of the local authority fostering service as the case may be;

(ii)

an officer of the Commission;

(iii)

an officer of the area authority if applicable;

(iv)

a police officer;

(v)

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

(b)

in the case of an employee of an independent fostering agency, an officer of the responsible authority;

(c)

in the case of an employee of a fostering agency, an officer of the local authority in whose area the agency is situated.

(4)

The fostering service provider shall ensure that all persons employed by him—

(a)

receive appropriate training, supervision and appraisal; and

(b)

are enabled from to time to time to obtain further qualifications appropriate to the work they perform.