(1)A local authority shall discharge their duty to provide accommodation and maintenance for a child in their care in such one of the following ways as they think fit, namely.—
(a)by boarding him out on such terms as to payment by the authority and otherwise as the authority may, subject to the provisions of this Act and regulations thereunder, determine; or
(b)by maintaining him in a community home or in any such home as is referred to in section 80 of this Act; or
(c)by maintaining him in a voluntary home (other than a community home) the managers of which are willing to receive him ;
or by making such other arrangements as seem appropriate to the local authority.
(2)Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) above, a local authority may allow a child in their care, either for a fixed period or until the local authority otherwise determine, to be under the charge and control of a parent, guardian, relative or friend.
(3)The terms, as to payment and other matters, on which a child may be accommodated and maintained in any such home as is referred to in section 80 of this Act shall be such as the Secretary of State may from time to time determine.