Part 2

Functions in relation to children and young persons

Accommodation

General duty of local authority to secure sufficient accommodation
9
After section 22F of the 1989 Act (which is inserted by section 8) insert—

General duty of local authority to secure sufficient accommodation for looked after children
22G
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—
- local authority foster parents; and
- children's homes in respect of which a person is registered under Part 2 of the Care Standards Act 2000.
S. 9 in force at 1.4.2011 for E. by S.I. 2010/2981, art. 4(b)