Children Act 1989

81 Inquiries

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

(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;

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

(d) a registered children’s home or voluntary home;

(e) a residential care home, nursing home or mental nursing home, so far as it provides accommodation for children;

(f) a home provided by the Secretary of State under section 82(5);

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

(2) Before an inquiry is begun, the Secretary of State may direct that it shall be held in private.

(3) Where no direction has been given, the person holding the inquiry may if he thinks fit hold it, or any part of it, in private.

(4) 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.

(5) In this section “functions” includes powers and duties which a person has otherwise than by virtue of any enactment.