Cross-border Placement of Children (Requirements, Effect and Enforcement) (Scotland) Regulations 2026: practice guidance, notice and undertaking template
Guidance primarily for local authorities in England and Wales and Health and Social Care Trusts or Education Authorities in Northern Ireland which are involved in the placing of children into residential care homes and foster care in Scotland.
6. Permanent Transfers
Whilst the intention is that all cross-border placements will be temporary and that the child will return to their home nation, the permanent transfer of children to Scotland may be appropriate in specific circumstances - such as where a child’s family has relocated to Scotland.
Part 15 of the Regulations provides for conversion of care orders, supervision orders and education supervision orders into CSOs in certain circumstances. Any decision to permanently transfer a child to Scotland should be considered on a case-by-case basis and any proposed permanent transfer must be agreed by the receiving Scottish local authority.