The Local Authorities Responsibility For Safeguarding Looked After Children
WHAT ARE THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS LOOKED AFTER CHILDREN IN THEIR BOROUGH?
Your local authority has a responsibility for ensuring all looked after children (children that are under local authority care) are provided with and have access to adequate education.
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR PROVIDING EDUCATION FOR LOOKED AFTER CHILDREN
Your local authority has a responsibility for safeguarding all children in the area.
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR SAFEGUARDING FOR LOOKED AFTER CHILDREN
You local authority has a responsibility for ensuring all children in the area have adequate accommodation.
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR CHILD ARRANGEMENTS FOR LOOKED AFTER CHILDREN
WHY MUST YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CHILDREN IN ITS AREA?
Government legislation requires local authorities across the UK to safeguard and look after the welfare of all children in their borough. These duties are outlined in acts that have been passed by parliament and are now law.
The children act 1989 governs the behaviour of your local authority.
THE CHILDREN ACT 1989
Section 17 – It is the duty of the local authority to safeguard and promote the welfare of children within their area who are in need.
Section 20 – It is the duty of the local authority to provide accommodation for children who cannot live with their families, who have been abandoned and have no one to look after them
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR CHILD ARRANGEMENTS FOR LOOKED AFTER CHILDREN
Section 22 (3) – There is a general duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of a child. This duty is also called corporate parenting.
Section 31 – The family court can place a child in care of the local authority if they deem it is in the best interest of the child. Parental responsibility will be shared between the local authority and the child’s parents. This child will be known as a looked after child.
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR WHAT IS LEGAL PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY?
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR WHAT IS A LOOKED AFTER CHILD?
Section 46 – The police can remove and arrange accommodation for any child that they feel is in danger.
Section 38 – The family court can make an interim care order for any child they feel has suffered harm or is at risk of harm.
The link below will take you to a guide that is very interesting to read. It will outline for you your local authority’s and other agency’s responsibilities towards children in the area.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR WORKING TOGETHER TO SAFEGUARD CHILDREN
WHAT DOES THE LOCAL AUTHORITY DO WHEN THEIR INVESTIGATION REVEALS THAT A CHILD IS AT RISK?
Under section 47 of the children act 1989 your local authority will investigate when they feel a child is at risk. If the investigation reveals the child may be at risk, then the local authority will have a child protection conference for the child and write a child protection plan or child in need plan.