75General duty of local authority to secure sufficient accommodation for looked after children
(1)A local authority must take steps that secure, so far as reasonably practicable, that the local authority is able to provide the children mentioned in subsection (2) with accommodation that—
(a)is within the authority’s area, and
(b)meets the needs of those children.
(2)The children referred to in subsection (1) are those—
(a)that the local authority is looking after,
(b)in respect of whom the authority is unable to make arrangements under section 81(2), and
(c)whose circumstances are such that it would be consistent with their well-being for them to be provided with accommodation that is in the authority’s area.
(3)In discharging its duty under subsection (1), the local authority must have regard to the benefit of having—
(a)a number of accommodation providers in its area that is, in the authority’s opinion, sufficient to discharge its duty, and
(b)a range of accommodation in its area capable of meeting different needs that is, in its opinion, sufficient to discharge its duty.
(4)In this section “accommodation providers” means—
(a)local authority foster parents, and
(b)children’s homes.