PART VIPROTECTION OF CHILDREN

Refuges for children at risk70

1

Where it is proposed to use a voluntary home or a registered children’s home to provide a refuge for children who appear to be at risk of harm, the Department may issue a certificate under this Article with respect to that home.

2

Where an authority or voluntary organisation arranges for a foster parent to provide such a refuge, the Department may issue a certificate under this Article with respect to that foster parent.

3

In paragraph (2) “foster parent” means a person who is, or who from time to time is, an authority foster parent or a foster parent with whom children are placed by a voluntary organisation.

4

The Department may by regulations—

a

make provision as to the manner in which certificates may be issued;

b

impose requirements which must be complied with while any certificate is in force; and

c

provide for the withdrawal of certificates in prescribed circumstances.

5

Where a certificate is in force with respect to a home, none of the provisions mentioned in paragraph (7) shall apply in relation to any person providing a refuge for any child in that home.

6

Where a certificate is in force with respect to a foster parent, none of the provisions mentioned in paragraph (7) shall apply in relation to the provision by him of a refuge for any child in accordance with arrangements made by the authority or voluntary organisation.

7

The provisions are—

a

Article 68;

b

sections 140(6) and 144(3) of the Children and Young Persons Act (Northern Ireland) 196835 (escapes from training schools, etc.);

c

section 71 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 196836 (harbouring children who have absconded from residential establishments etc.), so far as it applies in relation to anything done in Northern Ireland;

d

section 32(3) of the Children and Young Persons Act 196937 (compelling, persuading, inciting or assisting any person to be absent from detention, etc.), so far as it applies in relation to anything done in Northern Ireland;

e

Article 4 of the Child Abduction (Northern Ireland) Order 198538 (abduction of children by persons other than parents, etc.).