Regulation 17 Employment of staff

(1)

The registered person must —

(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 registered person must 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 in the residential family centre;

(b)

provides that the failure on the part of an employee to report an incident of abuse, or suspected abuse of a child in the residential family centre 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)

the registered person;

(b)

an officer of the appropriate office of the National Assembly;

(c)

a police officer;

(d)

an officer of the local authority in whose area the residential family centre is situated; or

(e)

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

(4)

In paragraph (2), “child” also includes a parent who is under the age of 18.

(5)

The registered person must ensure that all persons employed by him or her —

(a)

receive appropriate training, supervision and appraisal; and

(b)

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