A child may be placed in a private children residential centre where a Child and Family Agency placement is not available and if it is assessed as meeting the needs of the child. Referrals by the Agency to a private children residential centre can be made where a centre has completed the rigorous registration process, a service level agreement is in place and the placement of a child is being made in accordance with the Agency's National Private Placement Protocols. The provider is responsible for completing the planning process with the local planning authority, including issues such as fire safety. Completion of the planning process is one of the standards set as part of the Agency's registration process.
The Child and Family Agency has advised that the children residential centre Stonetown House, operated by Solis MMC, has been registered with the Agency and is compliant with the required standards, including those relating to planning permission and fire safety certificates. There is a service level agreement in place between the operator and the Agency for this facility. Children are being referred to the centre in line with the National Private Placement Protocol. The Agency cannot comment on whether a public consultation was organised by the provider as it is not part of the registration process.
