PART 3Children’s services planning
7Introductory
1
For the purposes of this Part—
“children’s service” means any service provided in the area of a local authority by a person mentioned in subsection (2) which is provided wholly or mainly to, or for the benefit of—
- a
children generally, or
- b
children with needs of a particular type (such as looked after children or children with a disability or a need for additional support in learning),
- a
“other service provider” means—
- a
the chief constable of the Police Service of Scotland,
- b
the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service,
- c
the Principal Reporter,
- d
the National Convener of Children’s Hearings Scotland,
- e
the Scottish Court Service,
- a
“related service” means any service provided in the area of a local authority by a person mentioned in subsection (2) which though not a children’s service is capable of having a significant effect on the wellbeing of children,
“relevant health board” means––
- a
if the area of the local authority is the same as that of a health board, that health board,
- b
if the area of the local authority is not the same as that of a health board, the health board within whose area the area of the local authority falls.
- a
2
The persons referred to in the definitions of “children’s service” and “related service” in subsection (1) are—
a
the local authority,
b
the relevant health board,
c
any other service provider,
d
the Scottish Ministers (but only in relation to a service provided by them in exercise of their functions under the Prisons (Scotland) Act 1989).
3
The Scottish Ministers may by order specify—
a
services which are to be considered to be included within or excluded from the definition of “children’s service” or “related service” in subsection (1),
b
matters in relation to services falling within either of those definitions which are to be considered to be included within or excluded from those services.
4
Before making such an order, the Scottish Ministers must consult—
a
each health board,
b
each local authority, and
c
where the service concerned is provided by one of the other service providers, that person.
5
The Scottish Ministers may by order modify the definition of “other service provider” in subsection (1) by—
a
adding a person or a description of persons,
b
removing an entry listed in it, or
c
varying an entry listed in it.
6
A function conferred by this Part on a local authority and the relevant health board is to be exercised by those persons jointly.