http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2026/21/section/23Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026enStatute Law Database2026-06-29Expert Participation2026-06-29 Part 1 23 1 It is the duty of every relevant authority when exercising its functions— a to be alert to matters which adversely affect, or might adversely affect, the wellbeing of looked-after children and relevant young people; b to assess what services or support provided by the authority are or may be available for looked-after children and relevant young people; c to seek to provide opportunities for looked-after children and relevant young people to participate in activities designed to promote their wellbeing or enhance their employment prospects; d to take such action as the authority considers appropriate to help looked-after children and relevant young people— i to make use of services, and access support, provided by the authority, and ii to access opportunities provided by the authority in pursuance of paragraph (c). 2 The duty imposed by subsection (1)— a applies to a relevant authority only so far as compliance with the duty— i is consistent with the proper exercise of its functions, and ii is reasonably practicable, and b does not apply as mentioned in section 24. 3 “Relevant authority” means a person listed, or within a description listed, in Part 1 of Schedule 1. 4 “Looked-after child” means a person aged under 18 who is— a looked after by a local authority for the purposes of the Children Act 1989, the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (anaw 4) or the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, or b looked after by an authority for the purposes of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (S.I. 1995/755 (N.I. 2)). 5 “Relevant young person” means a person who— a is aged 16 or over but under 25, and b was a looked-after child on their 16th birthday or at any subsequent time but is no longer a looked-after child. S. 23 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 78(5)