The Secure Accommodation Regulations 1983

(SI 1983 No. 652)

These Regulations provide that accommodation used for the purpose of restricting the liberty of children in community homes must be approved by the Secretary of State and impose requirements in respect of the placing of children in such accommodation.

The Regulations specify exceptional cases where the criteria provided by Section 21A (1) of the Child Care Act 1980 for placing and keeping children in are in accommodation provided for the purpose of restricting liberty are not to apply in relation to children committed to the care of a local authority under Section 23 of the Children and Young Person Act 1969 (children remanded or committed for trial).

The Regulations specify 72 hours as the maximum period beyond which a child in care of a local authority may not be kept in accommodation provided for the purpose of restricting liberty without the authority of a juvenile court.  They also specify 3 months as the maximum period for which a juvenile court may authorise a child to be kept in such accommodation and empower a juvenile court from time to time to authorise further periods not exceeding 6 months.

The Regulations also revoke regulations 11 to 14 of the Community Homes Regulations 1972 which are superseded by these Regulations.