The Fostering of Children (Scotland) Regulations 1996

Approval of foster carers by a local authority

7.—(1) Subject to paragraph (3) a local authority may approve any person as a foster carer where–

(a)the local authority have, so far as reasonably practicable, obtained the information or data set out in Schedule ;

(b)the prospective foster carer has been interviewed by or on behalf of the local authority;

(c)the local authority have conveyed to the fostering panel a report including the information or data gathered under sub-paragraph (a) together with such other information and such comment as they think appropriate;

(d)the local authority have considered a report from the fostering panel containing recommendations on the suitability of the prospective foster carer; and

(e)the local authority are satisfied, having regard to the duty imposed on them by section 17(1) of the Act, that the prospective foster carer is a suitable person with whom to place a child or children.

(2) The local authority shall state whether their approval of any person as a foster carer is in respect of–

(a)a particular child or children; or

(b)any child; or

(c)certain categories of child

to whom these Regulations apply.

(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) a local authority may approve any person as a foster carer where and for as long as that person is currently approved by another local authority in terms of paragraph (1), provided that the approval is limited to those categories of child in respect of whom the first local authority has approved the person and the second local authority advises the first local authority in writing of such derivative approval.

(4) A local authority shall notify in writing persons who have been approved as foster carers under this regulation.