For children's homes to obtain a licence to operate, there are certain procedures that have to be followed and paperwork submitted to the Child Development Agency before this is granted.

An application fee of $5,000 is charged to start the process.

A passport-size photo is required of the home manager with a referral from any three of the following: justice of the peace, minister of religion or an attorney-at-law, resident magistrate, a judge of a Supreme Court and the principal of a school or the chairman of a school board.

A certificate of clearance issued by the police and a medical certificate issued by a medical practitioner are also required for the home manager.

For Employees:

A certificate of clearance issued by the police.

A job description and a copy of the employee's work contract. Also, information advising whether the worker's functions involve the preparation of food for consumption at the home.

Certificates proving qualifications and training of employees

Detailed Operational Plan

Planned programmes and activities of the home.

Sex, age, group and levels of development of the children proposed to be placed in the home.

Proposed organisational structure of the home and the planned human resources, policies and procedures.

The proposed budget and sources of funding of the home's first year of operation.

Following this, reports are to be submitted by an officer at the Jamaica Fire Brigade, a medical officer, an officer of the local planning authority on different assessments and tests carried out on the homes.

These documents and information are to be submitted with Form 1 of the Schedule. All requirements can be found in Section three of the Child Care and Protection (Children's Homes) Regulations.

Source: The Child Development Agency