Part 2General Functions of Local Authority: Wales
Provision of childcare
I122Duty to secure sufficient childcare for working parents
1
A Welsh local authority must secure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the provision of childcare (whether or not by them) is sufficient to meet the requirements of parents in their area who require childcare in order to enable them—
a
to take up, or remain in, work, or
b
to undertake education or training which could reasonably be expected to assist them to obtain work.
2
In determining for the purposes of subsection (1) whether the provision of childcare is sufficient to meet those requirements, a local authority—
a
must have regard to the needs of parents in their area for—
i
the provision of childcare in respect of which the child care element of working tax credit is payable,
F5ia
the provision of childcare in respect of which an amount in respect of childcare costs may be included under section 12 of the Welfare Reform Act 2012 in the calculation of universal credit,
ii
the provision of childcare which is suitable for disabled children, and
iii
the provision of childcare involving the use of the Welsh language, and
b
may have regard to any childcare which they expect to be available outside their area.
3
In discharging their duty under subsection (1), a local authority must have regard to any guidance given from time to time by the Assembly.
4
The Assembly may by order amend subsection (2) (and subsection (6) so far as relating to that subsection) so as to modify the matters to which a local authority must or may have regard in determining whether the provision of childcare is sufficient.
5
Except in relation to a disabled child, this section does not apply in relation to childcare for a child on or after the 1st September next following the date on which he attains the age of 14.
6
In this section—
“child care element”, in relation to working tax credit, is to be read in accordance with section 12 of the Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21);
“disabled child” means a child who has a disability for the purposes of the F2Equality Act 2010;
“parent” includes any individual who—
- a
has parental responsibility for a child, or
- b
has care of a child.
- a
I223Powers of local authority in relation to the provision of childcare
1
A Welsh local authority may—
a
assist any person who provides or proposes to provide childcare;
b
make arrangements with any other person for the provision of childcare;
c
provide childcare.
2
The assistance which a local authority may give under subsection (1)(a) includes financial assistance; and the arrangements which a local authority may make under subsection (1)(b) include arrangements involving the provision of financial assistance by the authority.
3
In exercising their functions under this section, a Welsh local authority must have regard to any guidance given from time to time by the Assembly.
I3C124Arrangements between local authority and childcare providers
1
This section applies where a Welsh local authority make arrangements with a person (other than the governing body of a maintained school) for the provision by that person of childcare in consideration of financial assistance provided by the authority under the arrangements.
2
The local authority must exercise their functions with a view to securing that the provider of the childcare meets any requirements imposed on him by the arrangements.
3
The requirements imposed by the arrangements may, in particular, if any specified conditions are not satisfied, require the repayment of the whole or any part of any financial assistance provided by the local authority under the arrangements.
I425Charges where local authority provide childcare
1
A Welsh local authority may enter into an agreement under which payments are made to the authority for the provision by the authority of childcare for a child.
F72
Subsection (1) does not apply to childcare provided under sections 37 to 39 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (meeting care and support needs of children), provision as to charges for such care being made by Part 5 of that Act.
I526Power to require local authority to assess childcare provision
1
The Assembly may by regulations require a Welsh local authority to—
a
prepare assessments at prescribed intervals of the sufficiency of the provision of childcare (whether or not by them) in their area;
b
review any such assessment prepared by them.
2
Regulations under subsection (1) may make provision for the manner in which an assessment or review is to be prepared and, in particular, may require the local authority to—
a
consult such persons, or persons of such a description, as may be prescribed, and
b
have regard to any guidance given from time to time by the Assembly.
3
Subsection (5) of section 22 applies for the purposes of this section as it applies for the purposes of that section.
Information, advice and assistance
I6C227Duty to provide information, advice and assistance
1
A Welsh local authority must establish and maintain a service providing information, advice and assistance in accordance with this section.
2
The service must provide to parents or prospective parents information which is of a prescribed description and relates to any of the following—
a
the provision of childcare in the area of the local authority;
b
any other services or facilities, or any publications, which may be of benefit to parents or prospective parents in their area;
c
any other services or facilities, or any publications, which may be of benefit to children or young persons in their area.
3
In prescribing information for the purpose of subsection (2), the Assembly must have regard to the needs of the parents of disabled children or young persons for information relating to—
a
the provision of childcare which is suitable for disabled children, and
b
other services or facilities, or publications, which may be of particular benefit to the parents of disabled children or young persons or to disabled children or young persons.
4
The service may, in addition to providing information which it is required to provide under subsection (2), provide information relating to any of the matters mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c) of that subsection to such persons as the local authority consider appropriate.
5
The service must provide advice and assistance to parents or prospective parents who use, or propose to use, childcare provided in the area of the local authority.
6
The service must be established and maintained in the manner which is best calculated to facilitate access to the service by persons in the local authority's area who may benefit from it, including, in particular, persons who might otherwise have difficulty in taking advantage of the service.
7
In exercising their functions under this section, a local authority must have regard to any guidance given from time to time by the Assembly.
8
For the purposes of this section, a child or young person is disabled if he has a disability for the purposes of the F3Equality Act 2010.
9
In this section—
“parent” means a parent of a child or young person and includes any individual who—
- a
has parental responsibility for a child, or
- b
has care of a child;
- a
“prospective parent” means a pregnant woman or any other person who is likely to become, or is planning to become, a parent;
“young person” means a person who has attained the age of 18 but has not attained the age of 20.
Miscellaneous
I728Inspection
For the purposes of section 38 of the Education Act 1997 (c. 44) (inspection of local education authorities), the functions conferred on a Welsh local authority by or under this Part are to be regarded as F1education functions (as defined in section 579(1) of the Education Act 1996).
I8 29 F6 Powers of intervention of Welsh Ministers etc.
1
Chapter 2 of Part 2 the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 (intervention in local authorities) applies in relation to a Welsh local authority and the powers conferred or the duties imposed on it by, under or for the purposes of this Part as it applies in relation to the education functions (as defined by section 579(1) of the Education Act 1996) of such an authority.
2
In the application of Chapter 2 of Part 2 of the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 by virtue of this section, section 27 of that Act (power to direct exercise of other education functions) has effect as if the reference to education functions included (for all purposes) functions of a Welsh local authority under this Part.
Interpretation
I930Interpretation of Part 2
In this Part—
“childcare” means—
- a
child minding or day care within the meaning of
F4Part 10A of the Children Act 1989 (c. 41)F4 Part 2 of the Children and Families (Wales) Measure 2010 in respect of which the provider is required to be registered under that Part; - b
care provided by a person of a description approved in accordance with a scheme made by the Assembly under section 12(5) of the Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21);
- a
“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Assembly.