Explanatory note

These Regulations make provision for the establishment of panels of guardians ad litem and reporting officers by local authorities (regulation 2); complaints boards and panel committees (regulation 3); appointments to panels (regulation 4); termination of panel membership (regulation 5); complaints about the operation of the panels and members of the panels (regulation 6); administration of panels (regulation 7); panel committee functions (regulation 8); expenses, fees and allowances of panel members (regulation 9); monitoring the work of guardians ad litem and reporting officers (regulation 10); training (regulation 11) and revocation of the Guardian Ad Litem and Reporting Officers (Panels) Regulations 1983 and the Amendment Regulations 1986 which these 1991 Regulations replace (regulation 12);

The principal changes from the arrangements in respect of panels under the 1983 Regulations are that a complaints board and panel committee are to be established to assist the authority in administration of the panel and the procedure for termination of appointments to the panel and administration of the panel is specified in greater detail in the Regulations.