Part III Local Authority Support for Children and Families
Advice and assistance for certain children
23BF1 Additional functions of the responsible authority in respect of relevant children.
1
It is the duty of each local authority to take reasonable steps to keep in touch with a relevant child for whom they are the responsible authority, whether he is within their area or not.
2
It is the duty of each local authority to appoint a personal adviser for each relevant child (if they have not already done so under paragraph 19C of Schedule 2).
3
It is the duty of each local authority, in relation to any relevant child who does not already have a pathway plan prepared for the purposes of paragraph 19B of Schedule 2—
a
to carry out an assessment of his needs with a view to determining what advice, assistance and support it would be appropriate for them to provide him under this Part; and
b
to prepare a pathway plan for him.
4
The local authority may carry out such an assessment at the same time as any assessment of his needs is made under any enactment referred to in sub-paragraphs (a) to (c) of paragraph 3 of Schedule 2, or under any other enactment.
5
The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision as to assessments for the purposes of subsection (3).
6
The regulations may in particular make provision about—
a
who is to be consulted in relation to an assessment;
b
the way in which an assessment is to be carried out, by whom and when;
c
the recording of the results of an assessment;
d
the considerations to which the local authority are to have regard in carrying out an assessment.
7
The authority shall keep the pathway plan under regular review.
8
The responsible local authority shall safeguard and promote the child’s welfare and, unless they are satisfied that his welfare does not require it, support him by—
a
maintaining him;
b
providing him with or maintaining him in suitable accommodation; and
c
providing support of such other descriptions as may be prescribed.
9
Support under subsection (8) may be in cash.
10
The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision about the meaning of “suitable accommodation” and in particular about the suitability of landlords or other providers of accommodation.
11
If the local authority have lost touch with a relevant child, despite taking reasonable steps to keep in touch, they must without delay—
a
consider how to re-establish contact; and
b
take reasonable steps to do so,
and while the child is still a relevant child must continue to take such steps until they succeed.
12
Subsections (7) to (9) of section 17 apply in relation to support given under this section as they apply in relation to assistance given under that section.
13
Subsections (4) and (5) of section 22 apply in relation to any decision by a local authority for the purposes of this section as they apply in relation to the decisions referred to in that section.