148Who is a suitable person?

148 Who is a suitable person? (1) A person is a suitable person for the purposes of this Division if the person is approved in writing by the Secretary or by a person authorised by the Secretary to give approvals under this section as being a person suitable to have the long-term care of a child. (2) An authorisation under subsection (1)— (a) must be made by instrument; and (b) may be made to the holder of an office or position or to any person for the time being acting in or performing the duties of an office or position. (3) The Secretary must have regard to the prescribed matters before approving a person as a suitable person for the purposes of this Division. (4) For the purposes of this section the matters prescribed for the purposes of this section may include matters relating to— (a) the checking of criminal records and criminal history of the person and other usual members of the person's household; (b) suitability and fitness of the person; (c) previous history of the person as a carer of children.