Children in residential care
Topics:
Residential Care is when a ‘looked after child’ is placed by a HSC Trust in a children’s home. Residential Care is a positive and desirable way of providing stability and care for some children which they, their parents and carers often prefer to other kinds of placements.
Legislation
Current legislation in relation to Residential Care is set out within:
- The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995
- The Refuges (Children's Homes and Foster Placements) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996
- The Arrangements for Placement of Children (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996
- The Review of Children's Cases Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996
- Contact with Children Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996
- Definition of Independent Visitors (Children) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996
- The Representations Procedure (Children) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996
- The Children's Homes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005
- The Children's Homes (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012
Guidance and Regulations
Guidance on Residential Care for Health and Social professionals is set out within;
- The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 - Guidance and Regulations - Volume Four - Residential Care
- Minimum Standards for Children's Homes - April 2023