Visiting

23ZADuty of local authority to ensure visits to, and contact with, looked after children and others

1

This section applies to—

a

a child looked after by a local authority;

b

a child who was looked after by a local authority but who has ceased to be looked after by them as a result of prescribed circumstances.

2

It is the duty of the local authority—

a

to ensure that a person to whom this section applies is visited by a representative of the authority (“a representative”);

b

to arrange for appropriate advice, support and assistance to be available to a person to whom this section applies who seeks it from them.

3

The duties imposed by subsection (2)—

a

are to be discharged in accordance with any regulations made for the purposes of this section by the appropriate national authority;

b

are subject to any requirement imposed by or under an enactment applicable to the place in which the person to whom this section applies is accommodated.

4

Regulations under this section for the purposes of subsection (3)(a) may make provision about—

a

the frequency of visits;

b

circumstances in which a person to whom this section applies must be visited by a representative; and

c

the functions of a representative.

5

In choosing a representative a local authority must satisfy themselves that the person chosen has the necessary skills and experience to perform the functions of a representative.