Education Act 1996

[F1507B[F2Local authorities] in England: functions in respect of leisure-time activities etc for persons aged 13 to 19 and certain persons aged 20 to 24E+W

(1)A [F3local authority] in England must, so far as reasonably practicable, secure for qualifying young persons in the authority's area access to—

(a)sufficient educational leisure-time activities which are for the improvement of their well-being, and sufficient facilities for such activities; and

(b)sufficient recreational leisure-time activities which are for the improvement of their well-being, and sufficient facilities for such activities.

(2)“Qualifying young persons”, for the purposes of this section, are—

(a)persons who have attained the age of 13 but not the age of 20; and

(b)persons who have attained the age of 20 but not the age of 25 and have a learning difficulty [F4or disability] (within the meaning of [F5section 15ZA(6)(a) and (7)]).

(3)For the purposes of subsection (1)(a)—

(a)“sufficient educational leisure-time activities” which are for the improvement of the well-being of qualifying young persons in the authority's area must include sufficient educational leisure-time activities which are for the improvement of their personal and social development, and

(b)“sufficient facilities for such activities” must include sufficient facilities for educational leisure-time activities which are for the improvement of the personal and social development of qualifying young persons in the authority's area.

(4)References in the remaining provisions of this section to “positive leisure-time activities” are references to any activities falling within paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (1).

(5)For the purposes of subsection (1) a [F3local authority] may—

(a)provide facilities for positive leisure-time activities;

(b)assist others in the provision of such facilities;

(c)make arrangements for facilitating access for qualifying young persons to such facilities;

(d)organise positive leisure-time activities;

(e)assist others in the organisation of such activities;

(f)make arrangements for facilitating access for qualifying young persons to such activities;

(g)enter into agreements or make arrangements with any person in connection with anything done or proposed to be done under any of paragraphs (a) to (f);

(h)take any other action which the authority think appropriate.

(6)For the purposes of subsection (5)—

(a)the provision mentioned in paragraph (a) may include establishing, maintaining and managing places at which facilities for positive leisure-time activities are provided;

(b)the assistance mentioned in paragraphs (b) and (e) may include the provision of financial assistance;

(c)the arrangements mentioned in paragraphs (c) and (f) may include the provision of transport, of financial assistance or of information to any person.

(7)Before taking any action for the purposes of subsection (1) (“the proposed action”), a [F3local authority] must—

(a)consider whether it is expedient for the proposed action to be taken by another person, and

(b)where the authority consider that it is so expedient, take all reasonable steps to enter into an agreement or make arrangements with such a person for that purpose.

(8)For the purposes of subsection (7)(a) a [F3local authority] must consult such persons as the authority think appropriate as to whether it is expedient for the proposed action to be taken by another person.

(9)In exercising their functions under this section a [F3local authority] must—

(a)take steps to ascertain the views of qualifying young persons in the authority's area about—

(i)positive leisure-time activities, and facilities for such activities, in the authority's area;

(ii)the need for any additional such activities and facilities; and

(iii)access to such activities and facilities; and

(b)secure that the views of qualifying young persons in the authority's area are taken into account.

(10)A [F3local authority] in England must—

(a)publicise information about positive leisure-time activities, and facilities for such activities, in the authority's area, and

(b)keep the information publicised under paragraph (a) up to date.

(11)A [F3local authority] may charge in respect of anything provided by the authority under this section where the provision is to a qualifying young person (whether or not in the authority's area).

(12)In exercising their functions under this section a [F3local authority] must have regard to any guidance given from time to time by [F6the Secretary of State].

(13)In this section—

  • “recreation” includes physical training (and “recreational” is to be construed accordingly);

  • “sufficient”, in relation to activities or facilities, means sufficient having regard to quantity;

  • “well-being”, in relation to a person, means his well-being so far as relating to—

    (a)

    physical and mental health and emotional well-being;

    (b)

    protection from harm and neglect;

    (c)

    education, training and recreation;

    (d)

    the contribution made by him to society;

    (e)

    social and economic well-being.]

Textual Amendments

F1S. 507A - S. 507B inserted (8.1.2007) by Education and Inspections Act 2006 (c. 40), ss. 6(1), 188(2)

F4Words in s. 507B(2)(b) inserted (1.9.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 3 para. 45; S.I. 2014/889, art. 7(a) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/2270 (as amended (1.4.2015) by S.I. 2015/505)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)