Part 1

Children
CHAPTER 1

Looked after children

Corporate parenting principles for English local authorities

Corporate parenting principles
1
1
A local authority in England must, in carrying out functions in relation to the children and young people mentioned in subsection (2), have regard to the need—
a
to act in the best interests, and promote the physical and mental health and well-being, of those children and young people;
b
to encourage those children and young people to express their views, wishes and feelings;
c
to take into account the views, wishes and feelings of those children and young people;
d
to help those children and young people gain access to, and make the best use of, services provided by the local authority and its relevant partners;
e
to promote high aspirations, and seek to secure the best outcomes, for those children and young people;
f
for those children and young people to be safe, and for stability in their home lives, relationships and education or work;
g
to prepare those children and young people for adulthood and independent living.
2
The children and young people mentioned in this subsection are—
a
children who are looked after by a local authority, within the meaning given by section 22(1) of the Children Act 1989;
b
relevant children within the meaning given by section 23A(2) of that Act;
c
persons aged under 25 who are former relevant children within the meaning given by section 23C(1) of that Act.
3
In this section—
- “local authority in England” means—
  1. a county council in England;
  2. a district council;
  3. a London borough council;
  4. the Common Council of the City of London (in their capacity as a local authority);
  5. the Council of the Isles of Scilly;
  6. a combined authority established under section 103 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009;
- “relevant partners”, in relation to a local authority, has the meaning given by section 10(4) of the Children Act 2004.
4
A local authority in England must have regard to any guidance given by the Secretary of State as to the performance of the duty under subsection (1).
S. 1 in force at 1.4.2018 by S.I. 2018/346, reg. 4(a)