http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/19/part/5Immigration Act 2016An Act to make provision about the law on immigration and asylum; to make provision about access to services, facilities, licences and work by reference to immigration status; to make provision about the enforcement of certain legislation relating to the labour market; to make provision about language requirements for public sector workers; to make provision about fees for passports and civil registration; and for connected purposes.texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-05-01Expert Participation2026-05-01 Immigration Act 2016specified provision(s)The Immigration Act 2016 (Commencement No. 7 and Transitional Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2018reg. 2Immigration Act 2016Sch. 10 para. 3(2)(eza)Illegal Migration Act 2023s. 13(3)(a)s. 55(9)s. 68(1)Immigration Act 2016Sch. 10 para. 3(3A)-(3C)Illegal Migration Act 2023s. 13(3)(b)s. 55(9)s. 68(1)Immigration Act 2016Sch. 10 para. 3A and cross-headingIllegal Migration Act 2023s. 13(4)s. 55(9)s. 68(1)Immigration Act 2016s. 69(9)(d) and wordIllegal Migration Act 2023s. 21(2)(b)s. 55(9)s. 68(1) PART 566Schedule 11 (support for certain categories of migrant) has effect.671The Secretary of State must, as soon as possible after the passing of this Act, make arrangements to relocate to the United Kingdom and support a specified number of unaccompanied refugee children from other countries in Europe.2The number of children to be resettled under subsection (1) shall be determined by the Government in consultation with local authorities.3The relocation of children under subsection (1) shall be in addition to the resettlement of children under the Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme.68Schedule 12 (availability of local authority support) has effect.691This section applies in relation to a local authority ... (“the first authority”) if—athe authority has functions under any of the relevant provisions in relation to a relevant child, orbfunctions under any of the relevant provisions may be conferred on the authority in relation to a relevant child.2The first authority may make arrangements with another local authority in the same part of the United Kingdom (“the second authority”) under which—aif this section applies to the authority by virtue of paragraph (a) of subsection (1), the functions mentioned in that paragraph become functions of the second authority in relation to the relevant child, andbif this section applies to the authority by virtue of paragraph (b) of subsection (1), the functions mentioned in that paragraph become functions that may be conferred on the second authority in relation to the relevant child.3The effect of arrangements under subsection (2) is that, from the time at which the arrangements have effect in accordance with their terms—afunctions under the relevant provisions cease to be functions of, and may not be conferred on, the first authority in relation to the relevant child (“C”),bany of the relevant provisions which immediately before that time applied in relation to C as a result of C's connection with the first authority or the area of the first authority have effect as if C had that connection with the second authority or the area of the second authority (if that would not otherwise be the case), andcC is to be treated for the purposes of the relevant provisions as if C were not and had never been ordinarily resident in the area of the first authority (if that would otherwise be the case).3AThe first authority may make arrangements with another local authority in a different part of the United Kingdom (“the second authority”) having the effects mentioned in subsection (3B).3BThe effects are that, from the time at which the arrangements have effect in accordance with their terms—athe first authority ceases to have any functions in relation to the relevant child (“C”) under the relevant provisions and functions under those provisions may not be conferred on the first authority in relation to C,bC is to be treated as having a like connection with the second authority, or the area of the second authority, as C had immediately before that time with the first authority or the area of the first authority, andcC is to be treated for the purposes of the relevant provisions in relation to both the first authority and the second authority as if the first authority had never had any functions in relation to C.3CWhere a statutory provision would, but for this subsection, require the approval of a court or of any other person for arrangements under subsection (3A), that statutory provision does not apply in relation to such arrangements.4 Subsections (3)(b) and (3B)(b) are subject to any change in C's circumstances after the time at which the arrangements have effect.5Nothing in subsection (3) or (3B) affects any liability of the first authority in relation to C for any act or omission of the first authority before the time at which the arrangements have effect.6The Secretary of State may by regulations make further provision about the effect of arrangements under this section.7Arrangements under this section may not be brought to an end by the first or second authority once they have come into effect.8In this section “local authority”—ain relation to England and Wales has the same meaning as in the Children Act 1989 (see section 105(1) of that Act),bin relation to Scotland means a council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994, andcin relation to Northern Ireland means a Health and Social Care trust established under Article 10 of the Health and Personal Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1991.8AIn this section “the relevant provisions”—ain relation to a local authority in England, means the provisions of or made under Part 3, 4 or 5 of the Children Act 1989 (support for children and families and care, supervision and protection of children), andbin relation to a local authority in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, means any statutory provision which confers functions on, or which are exercisable by, such an authority which correspond, or are similar, to the functions conferred on a local authority in England by or under any of those Parts of that Act.9In this section “relevant child” means—aa person under the age of 18 who is unaccompanied and has made a protection claim which has not been determined,ba person under the age of 18 who is unaccompanied and who—irequires leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom but does not have it, andiiis a person of a kind specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State, orca person under the age of 18 who is unaccompanied and who—ihas leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom, andiiis a person of a kind specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State.10The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision about the meaning of “unaccompanied” for the purposes of subsection (9).11In subsection (9)—a“protection claim” has the meaning given by section 82(2) of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, andbthe reference to a protection claim having been determined is to be construed in accordance with section 94(3) of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.12In this section “statutory provision” means a provision made by or under—aan Act,ban Act of the Scottish Parliament,ca Measure or Act of the National Assembly for Wales, ordan Act of the Northern Ireland Assembly.13In this section a reference to a part of the United Kingdom is a reference to England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.701The Secretary of State may direct a local authority ... to provide information of the kind specified in subsection (2) to the Secretary of State for the purposes of enabling—aarrangements to be made under section 69, orbthe Secretary of State to exercise functions under section 72.2The information mentioned in subsection (1) is—ainformation about the support or accommodation provided to children who are looked after by the local authority within the meaning of the relevant provisions;bsuch other information as may be specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State.3A local authority which is directed to provide information under this section must provide it—ain such form and manner as the Secretary of State may direct, andbbefore such time or before the end of such period as the Secretary of State may direct.4In this section “local authority” and “relevant provisions” have the same meanings as in section 69.711Subsection (2) applies if—aa local authority ... (“the first authority”) requests another local authority ... (“the second authority”) to enter into arrangements under section 69, andbthe second authority does not comply with the first authority's request.2The Secretary of State may direct the second authority to provide the first authority and the Secretary of State with written reasons for its failure to comply with the request.3In this section “local authority” has the same meaning as in section 69.721The Secretary of State may prepare a scheme for functions of, or which may be conferred on, a local authority ... (“the transferring authority”) to become functions of, or functions which may be conferred on, one or more other local authorities in the same part of the United Kingdom (a “receiving authority”) in accordance with arrangements under section 69(2).1AThe Secretary of State may prepare a scheme in relation to a local authority to which section 69 applies (“the transferring authority”) and one or more other local authorities in one or more other parts of the United Kingdom (“a receiving authority”) having the effects mentioned in section 69(3B).2A scheme under this section—amust specify the local authorities to which it relates, andbunless it relates to all relevant children who may be the subject of arrangements under section 69 between the transferring authority and each receiving authority, must specify the relevant child or children, or descriptions of relevant children, to which it relates.3The Secretary of State may direct the transferring authority and each receiving authority under a scheme under this section to comply with the scheme.4A direction may not be given under subsection (3) unless the Secretary of State is satisfied that compliance with the direction will not unduly prejudice the discharge by each receiving authority of any of its functions.5Before giving a direction under subsection (3) to a local authority, the Secretary of State must give the authority notice in writing of the proposed direction.6The Secretary of State may not give a direction to a local authority before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which notice under subsection (5) was given to it.7The local authority may make written representations to the Secretary of State about the proposed direction within that period.8The Secretary of State may modify or withdraw a direction under subsection (3) by notice in writing to the local authorities to which it was given.9A modification or withdrawal of a direction does not affect any arrangements made under section 69 pursuant to the direction before it was modified or withdrawn.10Subsections (5) to (7) apply to the modification or withdrawal of a direction as they apply to the giving of a direction, but as if—athe reference to the proposed direction were to the proposed modification or proposal to withdraw the direction, andbsubsection (6) permitted the Secretary of State to withdraw the direction before the end of the 14 day period with the agreement of the local authorities to which it applies.11In this section “local authority” , “relevant child” and “part of the United Kingdom” have the same meanings as in section 69.731The Secretary of State may by regulations make such provision as the Secretary of State considers appropriate for enabling any of the provisions of sections 69 to 72 to apply in relation to Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.2The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision which—ahas a similar effect to—iany of the provisions mentioned in subsection (1), oriiprovision which may be made under section 69(6) or (10), andbapplies in relation to Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.3Regulations under subsection (1) may amend, repeal or revoke any enactment (including an enactment contained in this Act).4Regulations under subsection (1) or (2) may not confer functions on—athe Welsh Ministers,bthe Scottish Ministers,cthe First Minister and deputy First Minister in Northern Ireland,da Northern Ireland Minister, orea Northern Ireland department.5In this section “enactment” includes—aan enactment contained in subordinate legislation within the meaning of the Interpretation Act 1978;ban enactment contained in, or in an instrument made under, an Act or Measure of the National Assembly for Wales;can enactment contained in, or in an instrument made under, an Act of the Scottish Parliament;dan enactment contained in, or in an instrument made under, Northern Ireland legislation.S. 69 in force at 31.5.2016 by S.I. 2016/603, reg. 2(b)Words in s. 72(1) substituted (7.2.2018) by The Transfer of Responsibility for Relevant Children (Extension to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/153), regs. 1, 6(2)(b)S. 73 in force at 1.1.2018 by S.I. 2017/1210, reg. 2Words in s. 69(4) substituted (7.2.2018) by The Transfer of Responsibility for Relevant Children (Extension to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/153), regs. 1, 3(6)S. 72(1A) inserted (7.2.2018) by The Transfer of Responsibility for Relevant Children (Extension to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/153), regs. 1, 6(3)Words in s. 70(1) omitted (7.2.2018) by virtue of The Transfer of Responsibility for Relevant Children (Extension to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/153), regs. 1, 4(2)Words in s. 71(1)(a) omitted (7.2.2018) by virtue of The Transfer of Responsibility for Relevant Children (Extension to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/153), regs. 1, 5S. 69(3A)-(3C) inserted (7.2.2018) by The Transfer of Responsibility for Relevant Children (Extension to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/153), regs. 1, 3(5)S. 70 in force at 31.5.2016 by S.I. 2016/603, reg. 2(b)Words in s. 69(1) omitted (7.2.2018) by virtue of The Transfer of Responsibility for Relevant Children (Extension to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/153), regs. 1, 3(2)(a)Words in s. 69(5) inserted (7.2.2018) by The Transfer of Responsibility for Relevant Children (Extension to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/153), regs. 1, 3(7)Words in s. 70(2)(a) substituted (7.2.2018) by The Transfer of Responsibility for Relevant Children (Extension to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/153), regs. 1, 4(3)S. 72 in force at 31.5.2016 by S.I. 2016/603, reg. 2(b)Words in s. 69(3) substituted (7.2.2018) by The Transfer of Responsibility for Relevant Children (Extension to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/153), regs. 1, 3(4)S. 69(8)(8A) substituted for s. 69(8) (7.2.2018) by The Transfer of Responsibility for Relevant Children (Extension to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/153), regs. 1, 3(8)Ss. 69-72 extended to Scotland and Northern Ireland (as well as to England and Wales) by virtue of The Transfer of Responsibility for Relevant Children (Extension to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/153), regs. 1, 2(a)Words in s. 69(2) substituted (7.2.2018) by The Transfer of Responsibility for Relevant Children (Extension to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/153), regs. 1, 3(3)Words in s. 72(1) omitted (7.2.2018) by virtue of The Transfer of Responsibility for Relevant Children (Extension to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/153), regs. 1, 6(2)(a)S. 69(12)(13) inserted (7.2.2018) by The Transfer of Responsibility for Relevant Children (Extension to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/153), regs. 1, 3(9)S. 66 in force at 15.1.2018 for specified purposes by S.I. 2017/1241, reg. 2(b) (with Sch.) (as amended by S.I. 2018/31, reg. 2)Word in s. 72(1) substituted (7.2.2018) by The Transfer of Responsibility for Relevant Children (Extension to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/153), regs. 1, 6(2)(c)S. 67 in force at 31.5.2016 by S.I. 2016/603, reg. 2(a)Words in s. 69(1)(a) substituted (7.2.2018) by The Transfer of Responsibility for Relevant Children (Extension to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/153), regs. 1, 3(2)(b)S. 71 in force at 31.5.2016 by S.I. 2016/603, reg. 2(b)Words in s. 70(4) substituted (7.2.2018) by The Transfer of Responsibility for Relevant Children (Extension to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/153), regs. 1, 4(4)Words in s. 72(11) substituted (7.2.2018) by The Transfer of Responsibility for Relevant Children (Extension to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/153), regs. 1, 6(4)