Legislation
Current legislation in relation to Kinship Care is set out within;
- The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995
- The Children (Leaving Care) Act (Northern Ireland) 2002
- The Arrangements for Placement of Children (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996
- The Foster Placement (Children) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996
- The Children (Private Arrangements for Fostering) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996
- Contact with Children Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996
- The Disqualification for Caring for Children Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996
- The Placement of Children with Parents etc. Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996
- The Refuges (Children's Homes and Foster Placements) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996
- The Representations Procedure (Children) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996
- The Review of Children's Cases Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996
- The Children (Leaving Care) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005
- The Foster Placement (Children) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012
Guidance and regulations
Guidance for Health and Social Care professionals in relation to Kinship Care is set out within:
- The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 - Guidance and Regulations - Volume Three - Family Placements and Private Fostering
- The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 - Guidance and Regulations - Volume Eight - Leaving and After Care
Minimum kinship care standards
The Department has published minimum kinship care standards for Health and Social Care professionals to recognise the unique role played by family and friends carers in the lives of children separated from parents.