Citation, commencement, interpretation and application

1. —(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Care Homes (Adult Placements) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 and shall come into force on 1st August 2003.

(2) In these Regulations—

(a) “the principal Regulations” means the Care Homes Regulations 2001( 3 ); and

(b) “the Registration Regulations” means the National Care Standards Commission (Registration) Regulations 2001( 4 ).

(3) These Regulations apply to England only.

Amendment of regulation 3 of the principal Regulations

2. —(1)Regulation 3 of the principal Regulations (excepted establishments) is amended in accordance with the following provisions of this regulation.

(2) In paragraph (1)—

(a) at the end of sub-paragraph (d), the word “or” is omitted;

(b) in sub-paragraph (e), for the word “school.” substitute “school; or”; and

(c) after sub-paragraph (e) insert—

“ (f) it does not provide accommodation except—

(i) for a period or periods which do not exceed 28 days in aggregate during any period of 12 months; and

(ii) for not more than 3 persons at any one time who fall within section 3(2) of the Act ;

(g) it provides accommodation solely for a person (or persons) who—

(i) was placed with a local authority foster parent (“the carer”) under the Children Act 1989 ( 5 ) ;

(ii) remained in that placement for a period of not less than 5 years immediately prior to his 18th birthday; and

(iii) continues to live with the carer after his 18th birthday. ” .

Amendment of regulation 45 of the principal Regulations

3. —(1)Regulation 45 of the principal Regulations (adult placements) is amended in accordance with the following provisions of this regulation.

(2) In paragraph (1), for the words “regulation 46” substitute “regulations 46 and 47”.

(3) In paragraph (2), after the words “In this regulation” insert “and in regulation 47”.

Amendment of regulation 46 of the principal Regulations

4.Regulation 46 of the principal Regulations (modification of regulations in respect of adult placement carers) is amended as follows—

(a) paragraph (8) is omitted; and

(b) for paragraph (9) substitute—

“ (9)Schedule 4 (other records to be kept in a care home) shall have effect as if paragraphs 1 to 7, 13 and 14 were omitted. ” .

Modification of the principal Regulations

5. After regulation 46 of the principal Regulations (modification of regulations in respect of adult placement carers), insert—

“ Modification of regulations in respect of adult placement carer providing short term break for service user

47. —(1) The following provisions of this regulation shall apply where an adult placement carer in respect of a care home is providing a short term break for a service user.

(2)Regulation 13 (further requirements as to health and welfare) shall have effect as if—

(a) in paragraph (1), at the beginning, the words “Subject to paragraph (1A),” were inserted; and

(b) after paragraph (1), the following paragraph was inserted—

“ (1A) Where the registered provider is an adult placement carer in respect of a care home providing a short term break for a service user the registered provider shall ensure that satisfactory arrangements are made to meet the service user’s medical needs. ” .

(3)Regulation 16(2)(d) (facilities and services) shall not apply in relation to a service user who is being provided with a short term break by an adult placement carer in respect of a care home.

(4) Where the adult placement carer in respect of a care home provides only short term breaks for each of the service users, regulation 38 (notice of absence) shall not apply at any time when the care home is not providing accommodation for any service user.

(5) For the purposes of this regulation an adult placement carer in respect of a care home provides a short term break for a service user where—

(a) the service user does not ordinarily reside with the adult placement carer; and

(b) the placement agreement in respect of that service user is for a period no longer than 6 months in any 12 month period. ” .

Amendment of the Registration Regulations

6. —(1) The Registration Regulations shall be amended in accordance with the following provisions of this regulation.

(2) In regulation 3 (information and documents to be provided by an applicant)—

(a) in paragraph (2), at the beginning, insert “Subject to paragraph (2A),”;

(b) after paragraph (2), insert—

“ (2A) Where a person is seeking to be registered as the registered provider in respect of a care home and, if registered, would be an adult placement carer in respect of that care home, he shall not be required to provide to the Commission the information and documents listed in paragraph 4 of Schedule 1. ” .

(3) In paragraph 4 of Schedule 1, for the words “In every case” substitute “In all cases (unless otherwise provided in these Regulations)”.