How to Register a Children’s Residential Centre

Proprietors are required to apply for registration to operate a children’s residential centre and it is an offence under legislation to operate without registration being secured. Once an application for registration has been duly made and assessed (see Part VIII, Article 61) a centre once operational will be subject to an inspection against the national standards.

The Application for Registration of a Children’s Residential Centre form is available to download below.

Guidance for providers when applying for a special arrangement.

If you are applying for a special arrangement please see the guidance provided which defines what the registration and inspection service consider as a single occupancy and the requirements for the registration of a special arrangement.

The Child Care Act 1991 clearly states under Part VIII
60.—(1) A person shall not carry on a children's residential centre unless the centre is registered and the person is the registered proprietor thereof.
(2) A person shall not be in charge of a centre unless the centre is registered.
(3) any person who contravenes a provision of this section is guilty of an offence.

Section 59 of the Child Care Act 1991 then defines a children’s residential centre and also a registered proprietor as below

59- “children's residential centre” means any home or other institution for the residential care of children in the care of health boards or other children who are not receiving adequate care and
protection excluding—
“registered proprietor”, in relation to a registered children's residential centre, means the person
whose name is entered in the register as the person carrying on the centre

Guidance document for special arrangement placement