Cross-Border Placements Regulations: equality impact assessment

Executive summary

The Regulations provide for DOL orders made by the High Court in England and Wales or the High Court of Justice in Northern Ireland, to be recognised in Scotland as if they were CSOs. This recognition is subject to the conditions specified in the Regulations and is provided for the purposes of authorising the deprivation of liberty of the child who is the subject of the order in Scotland and the application of certain provisions of the 2011 Act.

The aim is to ensure clarity and accountability around the placing authority's responsibilities prior to any cross-border placement, throughout its duration and at its end. The foundation of the policy is to ensure that the best interests of the children are at the centre of all decisions made about their care, their rights are protected and their needs can be met in practice.