Child Care Act 1980

76 Inquiries

(1) The Secretary of State may cause an inquiry to be held into any matter relating to—

(a) the functions of the social services committee of a local authority, in so far as those functions relate to children;

(b) the functions of an adoption agency within the meaning of section 1 of the Adoption Act 1976;

(c) the functions of a voluntary organisation in so far as those functions relate to voluntary homes;

(d) a home maintained by the Secretary of State for the accommodation of children who are in the care of local authorities and are in need of the particular facilities and services provided in the home;

(e) the detention of a child under section 53 of the [1933 c. 12.] Children and Young Persons Act 1933.

(2) The Secretary of State may, before an inquiry is commenced, direct that it shall be held in private, but where no such direction has been given, the person holding the inquiry may if he thinks fit hold it or any part of it in private.

(3) Subsections (2) to (5) of section 250 of the [1972 c. 70.] Local Government Act 1972 (powers in relation to local inquiries) shall apply in relation to an inquiry under this section as they apply in relation to a local inquiry under that section.

(4) In this section—

• " functions " includes powers and duties which a person has otherwise than by virtue of any enactment;

• " voluntary home " means a home or other institution for the boarding, care and maintenance of poor children which is supported wholly or partly by voluntary contributions, but does not include a mental nursing home within the meaning of the [1975 c. 37.] Nursing Homes Act 1975 or a residential home for mentally disordered persons within the meaning of the Residential Homes Act 1980.