Title, commencement and application

1.-(1) The title of these Regulations is the Adult Protection and Support Orders (Authorised Officer) (Wales) Regulations 2015.

(2) These Regulations come into force on 6 April 2016.

(3) These Regulations apply in relation to Wales.

Interpretation

2.  In these Regulations-

"appropriate training" ("hyfforddiant priodol") means training which is provided or arranged by the Welsh Ministers or an authorising authority which will enable a person to undertake the functions of an authorised officer under section 127 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014;

"authorising authority" ("awdurdod awdurdodi") means the local authority which authorises the authorised officer;

"officer" ("swyddog") means an officer appointed under section 112 of the Local Government Act 1972;

"relevant experience" ("profiad perthnasol") means the appointing authority is satisfied that the person has the required experience of working within the field of social care with adults who are, or may be, at risk.

Restrictions on who may be authorised officer

3.-(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), a local authority must only authorise a person to apply for an adult protection and support order who has completed appropriate training and is an officer of the authorising authority.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), in a particular case where it is not practicable for an officer who satisfies paragraph (1) to act, a local authority must only authorise a person who has relevant experience, has completed appropriate training and is-

(a)an officer of a local authority within the same Safeguarding Board area(2) as the authorising authority, or

(b)where it is not practicable for an officer described in sub-paragraph (a) to act, an officer of any local authority in Wales.

(3) In a particular case where it is not practicable for an officer who satisfies paragraph (1) or (2) to act, a local authority must only authorise a person who is an officer of the authorising authority.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations are made under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 and relate to a person authorised by a local authority to apply for an adult protection and support order under section 127 of that Act.

Regulation 3(1) provides that, except in the circumstances set out in paragraphs (2) and (3), a local authority must only authorise a person who has relevant experience, has completed appropriate training and is an officer of that local authority.

Where that is not practicable regulation 3(2) provides for a person to be authorised who has relevant experience, has completed appropriate training and who is an officer of a local authority within a certain safeguarding board area, or failing that, of a local authority in Wales.

In circumstances where it is not practicable for an officer described in paragraphs (1) or (2) to act, regulation 3(3) allows a local authority to authorise an officer of that local authority who has relevant experience.

The Welsh Ministers' Code of Practice on the carrying out of Regulatory Impact Assessments was considered in relation to these Regulations. As a result, a regulatory impact assessment has been prepared as to the likely costs and benefits of complying with these Regulations. A copy can be obtained by contacting the Department for Health and Social Services, Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NQ.