http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1989/41

Schedule 7 shall have effect for the purpose of setting out the circumstances in which a person may foster more than three children without being treated F4, for the purposes of this Act and the Care Standards Act 2000, as carrying on a children’s home.

I264 Welfare of children in children’s homes.

1

Where a child is accommodated in a F5private children’s home, it shall be the duty of the person carrying on the home to—

a

safeguard and promote the child’s welfare;

b

make such use of the services and facilities available for children cared for by their own parents as appears to that person reasonable in the case of the child; and

c

advise, assist and befriend him with a view to promoting his welfare when he ceases to be so accommodated.

2

Before making any decision with respect to any such child the person carrying on the home shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, ascertain the wishes and feelings of—

a

the child;

b

his parents;

c

any other person who is not a parent of his but who has parental responsibility for him; and

d

any person whose wishes and feelings the person carrying on the home considers to be relevant,

regarding the matter to be decided.

3

In making any such decision the person concerned shall give due consideration—

a

having regard to the child’s age and understanding, to such wishes and feelings of his as he has been able to ascertain;

b

to such other wishes and feelings mentioned in subsection (2) as he has been able to ascertain; and

c

to the child’s religious persuasion, racial origin and cultural and linguistic background.

4

Section 62, except subsection (4), shall apply in relation to any person who is carrying on a F5private children’s home as it applies in relation to any voluntary organisation.

I3 C1652 Persons disqualified from carrying on, or being employed in children’s homes.

1

A person who is disqualified (under section 68) from fostering a child privately shall not carry on, or be otherwise concerned in the management of, or have any financial interest in a children’s home unless he has—

a

disclosed to F6the appropriate authority the fact that he is so disqualified; and

b

obtained F6its written consent.

2

No person shall employ a person who is so disqualified in a children’s home unless he has—

a

disclosed to F6the appropriate authority the fact that that person is so disqualified; and

b

obtained F6its written consent.

3

Where F7the appropriate authority refuses to give its consent under this section, it shall inform the applicant by a written notice which states—

a

the reason for the refusal;

F8b

the applicant’s right to appeal under section 65A against the refusal to the F9First-tier Tribunal

c

the time within which he may do so.

4

Any person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale or to both.

5

Where a person contravenes subsection (2) he shall not be guilty of an offence if he proves that he did not know, and had no reasonable grounds for believing, that the person whom he was employing was disqualified under section 68.

F106

In this section and section 65A “appropriate authority” means—

a

in relation to England, the F11Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills ; and

b

in relation to Wales, the National Assembly for Wales.

65AF12 Appeal against refusal of authority to give consent under section 65.

1

An appeal against a decision of an appropriate authority under section 65 shall lie to the F13First-tier Tribunal .

2

On an appeal the Tribunal may confirm the authority’s decision or direct it to give the consent in question.

Part VIII Registered Children’s Homes

I163F1 Private children’s homes etc.

F21

F22

F23

F24

F25

F26

F27

F28

F29

F210

11

12

I264 Welfare of children in children’s homes.

1

a

b

c

2

a

b

c

d

3

a

b

c

4

I3C1652 Persons disqualified from carrying on, or being employed in children’s homes.

1

a

b

2

a

b

3

a

F8b

c

4

5

F106

a

b

65AF12 Appeal against refusal of authority to give consent under section 65.

1

2

I3 C1652 Persons disqualified from carrying on, or being employed in children’s homes.