Regulation 11 Arrangements for the protection of childrenI1
Northern Ireland
The registered provider and the manager shall prepare and implement a written policy which—
is intended to safeguard from abuse or neglect, children who are or may be placed for adoption—
by the agency; or
by another agency but with prospective adopters approved by the agency as suitable to be adoptive parents in accordance with the Adoption Agencies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1989f1; and
sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of any allegation of abuse or neglect.
The procedure under paragraph (1) (b) shall provide in particular for:
liaison and co-operation with any HSC Trust which is, or may be, making child protection enquiries in respect of the child;
where the child is placed with prospective adopters, the prompt referral to the HSC Trust in whose area the child is placed of any allegation of abuse or neglect;
where the child is not placed with prospective adopters, the prompt referral to the HSC Trust in whose area the agency is located of any allegation of abuse or neglect;
notification to the RQIA of the instigation and outcome of any child protection enquiries;
written records to be kept of any allegation of abuse or neglect and the action taken in response;
consideration to be given to the measures that may be necessary to protect any child following an allegation of abuse or neglect;
arrangements to be made for persons working for the purposes of the agency, prospective adopters, adopters and any children to have access to information that would enable them to contact—
the HSC Trust referred to in sub-paragraph (b) or (c) (as the case may be); and
the RQIA regarding any concern about child welfare or safety.
In this regulation “child protection enquiries” means any enquiries carried out by a HSC Trust in the exercise of any of its functions conferred by or under the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995f2.