Part 3A

Inspection of children's centres

Inspections of children's centres: powers of entry
98D
1
The Chief Inspector may, at any reasonable time, enter any relevant premises in England for the purpose of conducting an inspection of a children's centre under section 98A.
2
“Relevant premises”, for the purposes of subsection (1), are—
a
premises on which services or activities are being provided through the children's centre;
b
premises of a relevant person which are used in connection with the staffing, organisation or operation of the children's centre.
3
But premises used wholly or mainly as a private dwelling are not relevant premises for the purposes of subsection (1).
4
An authorisation given by the Chief Inspector under paragraph 9(1) of Schedule 12 to the Education and Inspections Act 2006 in relation to functions under subsection (1)—
a
may be given for a particular occasion or period;
b
may be given subject to conditions.
5
Subject to any conditions imposed under subsection (4)(b), subsections (6) to (8) apply where a person (“the inspector”) enters premises under this section.
6
The inspector may—
a
inspect the premises;
b
take measurements and photographs or make recordings;
c
inspect any children for whom activities are provided on the premises, and the arrangements made for their welfare;
d
interview in private any person working on the premises who consents to be interviewed.
7
The inspector may inspect, and take copies of, any records or documents relating to—
a
the services or activities provided through the children's centre;
b
the staffing, organisation or operation of the children's centre.
8
The inspector may require a person to afford such facilities and assistance, with respect to matters within the person's control, as are necessary to enable the inspector to exercise the powers conferred by this section.
9
Section 58 of the Education Act 2005 (inspection of computer records) applies for the purposes of this section as it applies for the purposes of Part 1 of that Act.
10
In this section “documents” and “records” each include information recorded in any form.
Pt. 3A inserted (12.1.2010) by Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (c. 22) , ss. 199 , 269(2)