Ss. 30ZE-30ZJ and cross-heading inserted (29.4.2026 for specified purposes, 15.7.2026 in so far as not already in force) by Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (c. 21), ss. 16(2), 78(1)(a)(5); S.I. 2026/803, reg. 3(e)

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/14/section/30ZICare Standards Act 2000An Act to establish a National Care Standards Commission; to make provision for the registration and regulation of children’s homes, independent hospitals, independent clinics, care homes, residential family centres, independent medical agencies, domiciliary care agencies, fostering agencies, nurses agencies and voluntary adoption agencies; to make provision for the regulation and inspection of local authority fostering and adoption services; to establish a General Social Care Council and a Care Council for Wales and make provision for the registration, regulation and training of social care workers; to establish a Children’s Commissioner for Wales; to make provision for the registration, regulation and training of those providing child minding or day care; to make provision for the protection of children and vulnerable adults; to amend the law about children looked after in schools and colleges; to repeal the Nurses Agencies Act 1957; to amend Schedule 1 to the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970; and for connected purposes.texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-08-03Expert Participation2026-07-31Care StandardsCare Standards Act 2000s. 5(1)(a)(iii)Children and Young Persons Act 2008s. 4(2)(a)s. 6s. 44(4)art. 2(b)Care Standards Act 2000s. 23A-23D and cross-headingChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026s. 14(2)s. 78(5)Care Standards Act 2000s. 21(5A)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026s. 14(3)s. 78(5) Part II Establishments and agenciesFinancial regulation (England)
30ZIPower to arrange for independent business review(1)

The Secretary of State may arrange for a qualified person to carry out an independent business review in relation to a person who is subject to financial oversight (a “reviewed person”) if satisfied that either or both of the conditions in subsection (2) are met.

(2)

The conditions are—

(a)

there is a significant risk to the financial sustainability of the reviewed person, or

(b)

where the reviewed person is a parent undertaking of a relevant provider, there is a significant risk to the financial sustainability of one or more of their relevant subsidiary undertakings.

(3)

An “independent business review” is a review of—

(a)

the nature and extent of any relevant financial sustainability risks;

(b)

the action the reviewed person could take to mitigate or eliminate those risks;

(c)

any adverse impacts on local authorities, and children looked after by local authorities, that might result if those risks materialised;

(d)

the action the reviewed person could take to reduce those adverse impacts if they arise.

(4)

A “relevant financial sustainability risk” means—

(a)

where the Secretary of State is satisfied that the condition in subsection (2)(a) is met, a risk to the financial sustainability of the reviewed person;

(b)

where the Secretary of State is satisfied that the condition in subsection (2)(b) is met, a risk to the financial sustainability of the relevant subsidiary undertakings mentioned in that subsection.

(5)

A person is “qualified” to carry out an independent business review if the Secretary of State is satisfied that the person—

(a)

is independent of the reviewed person and the Secretary of State, and

(b)

has the skills necessary to carry out the review.

(6)

Where the Secretary of State arranges for a qualified person to carry out an independent business review, the Secretary of State must serve a written notice on the reviewed person informing the person of that fact.

(7)

The notice may make provision for the reviewed person to be liable to the Secretary of State for payment of the qualified person’s remuneration and expenses relating to the review.

(8)

An amount payable to the Secretary of State under the notice is recoverable, if a county court so orders, as if it were payable under an order of that court.

(9)

The reviewed person must give the qualified person all such assistance as the qualified person may reasonably require to carry out the review.