Part II Promotion of Children’s Welfare by Local Authorities and by Children’s Hearings etc.
C2 Chapter 1 Support for Children and Their Families
Provision of services
22 Promotion of welfare of children in need.
1
A local authority shall—
C1a
safeguard and promote the welfare of children in their area who are in need; and
b
so far as is consistent with that duty, promote the upbringing of such children by their families,
by providing a range and level of services appropriate to the children’s needs.
2
In providing services under subsection (1) above, a local authority shall have regard so far as practicable to each child’s religious persuasion, racial origin and cultural and linguistic background.
3
Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) above—
a
a service may be provided under that subsection—
i
for a particular child;
ii
if provided with a view to safeguarding or promoting his welfare, for his family; or
iii
if provided with such a view, for any other member of his family; and
b
the services mentioned in that subsection may include giving assistance in kind or, in exceptional circumstances, in cash.
4
Assistance such as is mentioned in subsection (3)(b) above may be given unconditionally or subject to conditions as to the repayment, in whole or in part, of it or of its value; but before giving it, or imposing such conditions, the local authority shall have regard to the means of the child concerned and of his parents and no condition shall require repayment by a person at any time when in receipt of—
F4za
universal credit under Part 1 of the Welfare Reform Act 2012;
a
F2aa
any element of child tax credit other than the family element or working tax credit; or
c
an income-related allowance under Part 1 of the Welfare Reform Act 2007 (employment and support allowance).
Pt. II Ch. 1 (ss. 16-38) modifed (1.4.1997) by S.I. 1996/3255, reg. 7(1)