Part 1

General functions of local authority: England

Children's centres

Duty to consider providing services through a children's centre
5E
1
This section applies where arrangements made by an English local authority under section 3(2) include arrangements for the provision of one or more children's centres.
2
The authority must consider whether each of the early childhood services to be provided by them should be provided through any of those children's centres.
3
Each relevant partner of the authority must consider whether each of the early childhood services to be provided by it in the authority's area should be provided through any of those children's centres.
4
In discharging their duties under this section, the authority and each relevant partner must take into account whether providing a service through any of the children's centres in question would—
a
facilitate access to it, or
b
maximise its benefit to parents, prospective parents and young children.
5
In discharging their duties under this section, an English local authority and each of their relevant partners must have regard to any guidance given from time to time by the Secretary of State.
6
For the purposes of this section, early childhood services are provided by a person or body if they are provided on behalf of, or under arrangements made with, that person or body.
7
For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this section is to be taken as preventing an English local authority or any of their relevant partners from providing early childhood services otherwise than through a children's centre.
Ss. 5A-5G and cross-heading inserted (12.1.2010) by Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (c. 22), ss. 198, 269(2)