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Part IIIE+W+S[F1SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES PROVIDED BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN ENGLAND]

Textual Amendments

Duties of local authorities in relation to children looked after by themE+W

22 General duty of local authority in relation to children looked after by them.E+W

(1)[F2In this section], any reference to a child who is looked after by a local authority is a reference to a child who is—

(a)in their care; or

(b)provided with accommodation by the authority in the exercise of any functions (in particular those under this Act) which [F3are social services functions within the meaning of] the M1Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 [F4, apart from functions under sections [F517] 23B and 24B].

(2)In subsection (1) “accommodation” means accommodation which is provided for a continuous period of more than 24 hours.

(3)It shall be the duty of a local authority looking after any child—

(a)to safeguard and promote his welfare; and

(b)to make such use of services available for children cared for by their own parents as appears to the authority reasonable in his case.

[F6(3A)The duty of a local authority under subsection (3)(a) to safeguard and promote the welfare of a child looked after by them includes in particular a duty to promote the child’s educational achievement.]

[F7(3B) A local authority F8 ... must appoint at least one person for the purpose of discharging the duty imposed by virtue of subsection (3A).

(3C) A person appointed by a local authority under subsection (3B) must be an officer employed by that authority or another local authority F9 .... ]

(4)Before making any decision with respect to a child whom they are looking after, or proposing to look after, a local authority shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, ascertain the wishes and feelings of—

(a)the child;

(b)his parents;

(c)any person who is not a parent of his but who has parental responsibility for him; and

(d)any other person whose wishes and feelings the authority consider to be relevant,

regarding the matter to be decided.

(5)In making any such decision a local authority shall give due consideration—

(a)having regard to his age and understanding, to such wishes and feelings of the child as they have been able to ascertain;

(b)to such wishes and feelings of any person mentioned in subsection (4)(b) to (d) as they have been able to ascertain; and

(c)to the child’s religious persuasion, racial origin and cultural and linguistic background.

(6)If it appears to a local authority that it is necessary, for the purpose of protecting members of the public from serious injury, to exercise their powers with respect to a child whom they are looking after in a manner which may not be consistent with their duties under this section, they may do so.

(7)If the [F10Secretary of State] considers it necessary, for the purpose of protecting members of the public from serious injury, to give directions to a local authority with respect to the exercise of their powers with respect to a child whom they are looking after, [F11the [F10Secretary of State]] may give such directions to [F12the authority].

(8)Where any such directions are given to an authority they shall comply with them even though doing so is inconsistent with their duties under this section.

Textual Amendments

F3Words in s. 22(1)(b) substituted (26.10.2000 for E. and otherwise 28.7.2001) by 2000 c. 22, ss. 107, 108(4), Sch. 5 para. 19; S.I. 2000/2849, art. 2(f)

F4Words in s. 22(1)(b) inserted (1.10.2001) by 2000 c. 35, s. 2(2); S.I. 2001/2191, art. 2; S.I. 2001/2878, art. 2

F5Word in s. 22(1) inserted (7.11.2002) by 2002 c. 38, ss. 116, 148 (with Sch. 4 paras. 6-8)

F6S. 22(3A) inserted (1.7.2005 for E. and 1.4.2006 for W.) by Children Act 2004 (c. 31), s. 52; S.I. 2005/394, art. 2(3)(b); S.I. 2006/885, art. 2(2)

F11Words in s. 22(7) substituted (13.11.2008) by Children and Young Persons Act 2008 (c. 23), ss. 39, 44, Sch. 3 para. 6(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2S. 22(4)(b)-(d)(5)(b): power to apply with modifications or exclude conferred (7.2.2004 for W. and 7.12.2004 for E.) by 2002 c. 38, ss. 53(1)(2), 148 (with Sch. 4 paras. 6-8); S.I. 2004/252, art. 2(b); S.I. 2004/3203, art. 2(1)(h)

C4S. 22(4)(c) modified (30.12.2005) (E.) by The Adoption Agencies Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/389), art. 45(2)(b)

S. 22(4)(c) applied (with modifications) (30.12.2005) (W.) by The Adoption Agencies (Wales) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/1313), art. 46(2)(b)

C5S. 22(5)(b) modified (30.12.2005) (E.) by The Adoption Agencies Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/389), art. 45(2)(c)

S. 22(5)(b) applied (with modifications) (30.12.2005) (W.) by The Adoption Agencies (Wales) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/1313), art. 46(2)(c)

Commencement Information

I1S. 22 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

Marginal Citations

F1323 Provision of accommodation and maintenance by local authority for children whom they are looking after.E+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F13Ss. 22A-22F substituted (1.9.2009 for E. and 26.4.2010 for W. for the insertion of ss. 22C(11), 22F, 1.4.2011 otherwise for E. ) for s. 23 by Children and Young Persons Act 2008 (c. 23), ss. 8(1), 44; S.I. 2009/2273, art. 2(2)(a); S.I. 2010/1329, art. 2(a); S.I. 2010/2981, art. 4(a)

F15[F14 22A Provision of accommodation for children in careE+W

When a child is in the care of a local authority, it is their duty to provide the child with accommodation.

Textual Amendments

F14Ss. 22A-22F substituted (1.9.2009 for E. and 26.4.2010 for W. for the insertion of ss. 22C(11), 22F, 1.4.2011 otherwise for E.) for s. 23 by Children and Young Persons Act 2008 (c. 23), ss. 8(1), 44; S.I. 2009/2273, art. 2(2)(a); S.I. 2010/1329, art. 2(a); S.I. 2010/2981, art. 4(a)

F15Ss. 22A-22F substituted for s. 23 (1.9.2009 for E. for the insertion of ss. 22C(11), 22F, 26.4.2010 for W. for the insertion of ss. 22C(11), 22F, 1.4.2011 for E. so far as not already in force, 6.4.2016 for W. in so far as not already in force) by Children and Young Persons Act 2008 (c. 23), ss. 8(1), 44(4); S.I. 2009/2273, art. 2(2)(a); S.I. 2010/1329, art. 2(a); S.I. 2010/2981, art. 4(a); S.I. 2016/452, art. 2(a)

F15 22B Maintenance of looked after childrenE+W

It is the duty of a local authority to maintain a child they are looking after in other respects apart from the provision of accommodation.

Textual Amendments

F14Ss. 22A-22F substituted (1.9.2009 for E. and 26.4.2010 for W. for the insertion of ss. 22C(11), 22F, 1.4.2011 otherwise for E.) for s. 23 by Children and Young Persons Act 2008 (c. 23), ss. 8(1), 44; S.I. 2009/2273, art. 2(2)(a); S.I. 2010/1329, art. 2(a); S.I. 2010/2981, art. 4(a)

F15Ss. 22A-22F substituted for s. 23 (1.9.2009 for E. for the insertion of ss. 22C(11), 22F, 26.4.2010 for W. for the insertion of ss. 22C(11), 22F, 1.4.2011 for E. so far as not already in force, 6.4.2016 for W. in so far as not already in force) by Children and Young Persons Act 2008 (c. 23), ss. 8(1), 44(4); S.I. 2009/2273, art. 2(2)(a); S.I. 2010/1329, art. 2(a); S.I. 2010/2981, art. 4(a); S.I. 2016/452, art. 2(a)

F1522C Ways in which looked after children are to be accommodated and maintainedE+W

(1)This section applies where a local authority are looking after a child (“C”).

(2)The local authority must make arrangements for C to live with a person who falls within subsection (3) (but subject to subsection (4)).

(3)A person (“P”) falls within this subsection if—

(a)P is a parent of C;

(b)P is not a parent of C but has parental responsibility for C; or

(c)in a case where C is in the care of the local authority and there was [F16a child arrangements order] in force with respect to C immediately before the care order was made, P was a person [F17named in the child arrangements order as a person with whom C was to live].

(4)Subsection (2) does not require the local authority to make arrangements of the kind mentioned in that subsection if doing so—

(a)would not be consistent with C's welfare; or

(b)would not be reasonably practicable.

(5)If the local authority are unable to make arrangements under subsection (2), they must place C in the placement which is, in their opinion, the most appropriate placement available.

(6) In subsection (5) “ placement ” means—

(a)placement with an individual who is a relative, friend or other person connected with C and who is also a local authority foster parent;

(b)placement with a local authority foster parent who does not fall within paragraph (a);

(c)placement in a children's home in respect of which a person is registered under Part 2 of the Care Standards Act 2000 [F18or Part 1 of the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 (anaw 2)]; or

(d)subject to section 22D, placement in accordance with other arrangements which comply with any regulations made for the purposes of this section.

(7) In determining the most appropriate placement for C, the local authority must, subject to [F19subsection (9B) and] the other provisions of this Part (in particular, to their duties under section 22)—

(a)give preference to a placement falling within paragraph (a) of subsection (6) over placements falling within the other paragraphs of that subsection;

(b)comply, so far as is reasonably practicable in all the circumstances of C's case, with the requirements of subsection (8); and

(c)comply with subsection (9) unless that is not reasonably practicable.

(8)The local authority must ensure that the placement is such that—

(a)it allows C to live near C's home;

(b)it does not disrupt C's education or training;

(c)if C has a sibling for whom the local authority are also providing accommodation, it enables C and the sibling to live together;

(d)if C is disabled, the accommodation provided is suitable to C's particular needs.

(9)The placement must be such that C is provided with accommodation within the local authority's area.

[F20(9A) Subsection (9B) applies (subject to subsection (9C)) where the local authority F21 ...—

(a)are considering adoption for C, or

(b)are satisfied that C ought to be placed for adoption but are not authorised under section 19 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (placement with parental consent) or by virtue of section 21 of that Act (placement orders) to place C for adoption.

(9B)Where this subsection applies—

(a)subsections (7) to (9) do not apply to the local authority,

(b)the local authority must consider placing C with an individual within subsection (6)(a), and

(c)where the local authority decide that a placement with such an individual is not the most appropriate placement for C, the local authority must consider placing C with a local authority foster parent who has been approved as a prospective adopter.

(9C)Subsection (9B) does not apply where the local authority have applied for a placement order under section 21 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 in respect of C and the application has been refused.]

(10)The local authority may determine—

(a)the terms of any arrangements they make under subsection (2) in relation to C (including terms as to payment); and

(b)the terms on which they place C with a local authority foster parent (including terms as to payment but subject to any order made under section 49 of the Children Act 2004).

(11)The [F22Secretary of State] may make regulations for, and in connection with, the purposes of this section.

[F23(12)For the meaning of “local authority foster parent” see section 105(1).]

Textual Amendments

F15Ss. 22A-22F substituted for s. 23 (1.9.2009 for E. for the insertion of ss. 22C(11), 22F, 26.4.2010 for W. for the insertion of ss. 22C(11), 22F, 1.4.2011 for E. so far as not already in force, 6.4.2016 for W. in so far as not already in force) by Children and Young Persons Act 2008 (c. 23), ss. 8(1), 44(4); S.I. 2009/2273, art. 2(2)(a); S.I. 2010/1329, art. 2(a); S.I. 2010/2981, art. 4(a); S.I. 2016/452, art. 2(a)

F16Words in s. 22C(3)(c) substituted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 2 para. 29(a); S.I. 2014/889, art. 4(f) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/1042, arts. 3, 4, 6-10)

F17Words in s. 22C(3)(c) substituted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 2 para. 29(b); S.I. 2014/889, art. 4(f) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/1042, arts. 3, 4, 6-10)

F19Words in s. 22C(7) inserted (25.7.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), ss. 2(2), 139(6); S.I. 2014/889, art. 6(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

F15 22D Review of child's case before making alternative arrangements for accommodationE+W

(1)Where a local authority are providing accommodation for a child (“C”) other than by arrangements under section 22C(6)(d), they must not make such arrangements for C unless they have decided to do so in consequence of a review of C's case carried out in accordance with regulations made under section 26.

(2)But subsection (1) does not prevent a local authority making arrangements for C under section 22C(6)(d) if they are satisfied that in order to safeguard C's welfare it is necessary—

(a)to make such arrangements; and

(b)to do so as a matter of urgency.

Textual Amendments

F14Ss. 22A-22F substituted (1.9.2009 for E. and 26.4.2010 for W. for the insertion of ss. 22C(11), 22F, 1.4.2011 otherwise for E.) for s. 23 by Children and Young Persons Act 2008 (c. 23), ss. 8(1), 44; S.I. 2009/2273, art. 2(2)(a); S.I. 2010/1329, art. 2(a); S.I. 2010/2981, art. 4(a)

F15Ss. 22A-22F substituted for s. 23 (1.9.2009 for E. for the insertion of ss. 22C(11), 22F, 26.4.2010 for W. for the insertion of ss. 22C(11), 22F, 1.4.2011 for E. so far as not already in force, 6.4.2016 for W. in so far as not already in force) by Children and Young Persons Act 2008 (c. 23), ss. 8(1), 44(4); S.I. 2009/2273, art. 2(2)(a); S.I. 2010/1329, art. 2(a); S.I. 2010/2981, art. 4(a); S.I. 2016/452, art. 2(a)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

[F2422E.Children’s homes provided by Secretary of State or Welsh MinistersE+W

Where a local authority place a child they are looking after in a children’s home provided, equipped and maintained by the Secretary of State or the Welsh Ministers under section 82(5), they must do so on such terms as the Secretary of State or the Welsh Ministers (as the case may be) may from time to time determine.]

Textual Amendments

F14Ss. 22A-22F substituted (1.9.2009 for E. and 26.4.2010 for W. for the insertion of ss. 22C(11), 22F, 1.4.2011 otherwise for E.) for s. 23 by Children and Young Persons Act 2008 (c. 23), ss. 8(1), 44; S.I. 2009/2273, art. 2(2)(a); S.I. 2010/1329, art. 2(a); S.I. 2010/2981, art. 4(a)

F15 22F Regulations as to children looked after by local authoritiesE+W

Part 2 of Schedule 2 has effect for the purposes of making further provision as to children looked after by local authorities and in particular as to the regulations which may be made under section 22C(11).]

Textual Amendments

F14Ss. 22A-22F substituted (1.9.2009 for E. and 26.4.2010 for W. for the insertion of ss. 22C(11), 22F, 1.4.2011 otherwise for E.) for s. 23 by Children and Young Persons Act 2008 (c. 23), ss. 8(1), 44; S.I. 2009/2273, art. 2(2)(a); S.I. 2010/1329, art. 2(a); S.I. 2010/2981, art. 4(a)

F15Ss. 22A-22F substituted for s. 23 (1.9.2009 for E. for the insertion of ss. 22C(11), 22F, 26.4.2010 for W. for the insertion of ss. 22C(11), 22F, 1.4.2011 for E. so far as not already in force, 6.4.2016 for W. in so far as not already in force) by Children and Young Persons Act 2008 (c. 23), ss. 8(1), 44(4); S.I. 2009/2273, art. 2(2)(a); S.I. 2010/1329, art. 2(a); S.I. 2010/2981, art. 4(a); S.I. 2016/452, art. 2(a)

[F2522GGeneral duty of local authority to secure sufficient accommodation for looked after childrenE+W

(1)It is the general duty of a local authority to take steps that secure, so far as reasonably practicable, the outcome in subsection (2).

(2)The outcome is that the local authority are able to provide the children mentioned in subsection (3) with accommodation that—

(a)is within the authority's area; and

(b)meets the needs of those children.

(3)The children referred to in subsection (2) are those—

(a)that the local authority are looking after,

(b)in respect of whom the authority are unable to make arrangements under section 22C(2), and

(c)whose circumstances are such that it would be consistent with their welfare for them to be provided with accommodation that is in the authority's area.

(4)In taking steps to secure the outcome in subsection (2), the local authority must have regard to the benefit of having—

(a)a number of accommodation providers in their area that is, in their opinion, sufficient to secure that outcome; and

(b)a range of accommodation in their area capable of meeting different needs that is, in their opinion, sufficient to secure that outcome.

(5) In this section “ accommodation providers ” means—

Textual Amendments