http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/16/section/32AChildren and Social Work Act 2017An Act to make provision about looked after children; to make other provision in relation to the welfare of children; and to make provision about the regulation of social workers.texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-06-04Expert Participation2026-04-29 Children and Social Work Act 2017s. 2(1)(c)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026s. 8(2)s. 78(5)reg. 6(b)Children and Social Work Act 2017s. 2(2)(g)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026s. 8(3)s. 78(5)reg. 6(b)Children and Social Work Act 2017s. 2(2A)(2B)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026s. 8(4)s. 78(5)reg. 6(b)Children and Social Work Act 2017s. 1(5)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026s. 25(6)s. 78(5) Part 1 CHAPTER 332A1The Secretary of State may by regulations impose requirements on English local authorities about the use of agency workers in connection with the children’s social care functions of those authorities.2An “agency worker” is an individual—awho is supplied by a person (the “agent”) to do work for another person (a “principal”) under arrangements between the agent and the principal, andbwho is not, as respects that work, a worker of the principal because of the absence of a worker’s contract between the individual and the principal.3The “children’s social care functions” of an English local authority are its functions under any legislation specified in Schedule 1 to the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970, so far as those functions relate to persons under the age of 18.4The regulations may, in particular—arequire that agency workers used in connection with the children’s social care functions of an English local authority meet specified requirements;bmake provision about the way in which such agency workers may be managed;cmake provision about the terms on which such agency workers may be supplied to English local authorities (including the amounts which may be paid under such arrangements).5Before making the regulations, the Secretary of State must consult such persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.6Regulations under this section are subject to the affirmative resolution procedure.7In this section—“English local authority” means—a county council in England;a district council;a London borough council;the Common Council of the City of London (in their capacity as a local authority);the Council of the Isles of Scilly;a combined authority established under section 103 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009;“worker” and “worker’s contract” have the same meanings as in the Employment Rights Act 1996 (see section 230(3) of that Act).S. 32A and cross-heading inserted (29.4.2026 for specified purposes) by Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (c. 21), ss. 21, 78(1)(a)(5)