Children’s Services Co-operation Act (Northern Ireland) 2015

Interpretation

9.—(1) In this Act—

“children and young persons” means persons who are—

(i)

under the age of 18, or

(ii)

aged 18 or over and fall within subsection (2) or (3);

“children’s authority” means any of the following—

(i)

a Northern Ireland department,

(ii)

a district council,

(iii)

a Health and Social Care trust,

(iv)

the Regional Health and Social Care Board,

(v)

the Regional Agency for Public Health and Social Well-being,

(vi)

the Education Authority,

(vii)

the Northern Ireland Housing Executive,

(viii)

the Police Service of Northern Ireland, or

(ix)

the Probation Board for Northern Ireland;

“children’s service” means any service which is provided (whether by a children’s authority or by any other person or body) wholly or mainly to or for the benefit of—

(i)

children and young persons generally, or

(ii)

children and young persons of a particular description or with particular needs;

“the Executive” means the Executive Committee of the Assembly, established under section 20 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998;

“other children’s service provider” means any person or body, of whatever nature, who provides a children’s service or is engaged in activities which contribute to the well-being of children or young persons (but does not include a children’s authority);

“well-being” has the meaning given by section 1.

(2) A person falls within this subsection if services are provided to or in respect of the person by, or on behalf of, or under arrangements made with, the Regional Health and Social Care Board or a Health and Social Care trust by virtue of—

(a) Article 21(5), 34D, 35, 35A or 35B of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (which provide for the continuing duties of those bodies towards young persons), or

(b) regulations made under Article 34E of that Order (which may provide for the appointment of personal advisers for certain young persons).

(3) A person falls within this subsection if the person—

(a) is under the age of 21 years, and

(b) is a disabled person within the meaning of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

(4) The Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister may by regulations make such amendments to the definition of “children’s authority” as it thinks appropriate.

(5) Regulations under subsection (4) are subject to negative resolution.