Children and Families Act 2014

• Citation: 2014 c. 6
• Sections: 471

Section 1 Contact between prescribed persons and adopted person's relatives

(1) In section 98 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (pre-commencement adoptions: information), after subsection (1) insert—

(1A) Regulations under section 9 may make provision for the purpose of facilitating contact between persons with a prescribed relationship to a person adopted before the appointed day and that person's relatives.

(2) In each of subsections (2) and (3) of that section, for “that purpose” substitute “ a purpose within subsection (1) or (1A) ” .

(3) In subsection (7) of that section, after the definition of “appointed day” insert—

“ prescribed ” means prescribed by regulations under section 9;

Section 2 Placement of looked after children with prospective adopters

(1) Section 22C of the Children Act 1989 is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (7), after “subject to” insert “ subsection (9B) and ” .

(3) After subsection (9) insert—

(9A) Subsection (9B) applies (subject to subsection (9C)) where the local authority are a local authority in England and—

(a) are considering adoption for C, or

(b) are satisfied that C ought to be placed for adoption but are not authorised under section 19 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (placement with parental consent) or by virtue of section 21 of that Act (placement orders) to place C for adoption.

(9B) Where this subsection applies—

(a) subsections (7) to (9) do not apply to the local authority,

(b) the local authority must consider placing C with an individual within subsection (6)(a), and

(c) where the local authority decide that a placement with such an individual is not the most appropriate placement for C, the local authority must consider placing C with a local authority foster parent who has been approved as a prospective adopter.

(9C) Subsection (9B) does not apply where the local authority have applied for a placement order under section 21 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 in respect of C and the application has been refused.

Section 3 Repeal of requirement to give due consideration to ethnicity: England

(1) Section 1 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (considerations applying when making decisions about the adoption of a child) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (5) (due consideration to be given to religious persuasion, racial origin and cultural and linguistic background), for “In placing the child for adoption, the adoption agency” substitute “ In placing a child for adoption, an adoption agency in Wales ” .

(3) In consequence of the amendment made by subsection (2)—

(a) in subsection (1), for “This section applies” substitute “ Subsections (2) to (4) apply ” ;

(b) in subsection (6), for “The court or adoption agency” substitute “ In coming to a decision relating to the adoption of a child, a court or adoption agency ” ;

(c) after subsection (8) insert—

(9) In this section “ adoption agency in Wales ” means an adoption agency that is—

(a) a local authority in Wales, or

(b) a registered adoption society whose principal office is in Wales.

Section 4 Recruitment, assessment and approval of prospective adopters

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Section 5 Adoption support services: personal budgets

In Chapter 2 of Part 1 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (the Adoption Service) after section 4 insert—

Adoption support services: personal budgets

(4A)

(1) This section applies where—

(a) after carrying out an assessment under section 4, a local authority in England decide to provide any adoption support services to a person (“ the recipient ”), and

(b) the recipient is an adopted person or the parent of an adopted person.

(2) The local authority must prepare a personal budget for the recipient if asked to do so by the recipient or (in prescribed circumstances) a person of a prescribed description.

(3) The authority prepare a “personal budget” for the recipient if they identify an amount as available to secure the adoption support services that they have decided to provide, with a view to the recipient being involved in securing those services.

(4) Regulations may make provision about personal budgets, in particular—

(a) about requests for personal budgets;

(b) about the amount of a personal budget;

(c) about the sources of the funds making up a personal budget;

(d) for payments (“direct payments”) representing all or part of a personal budget to be made to the recipient, or (in prescribed circumstances) a person of a prescribed description, in order to secure any adoption support services to which the budget relates;

(e) about the description of adoption support services to which personal budgets and direct payments may (and may not) relate;

(f) for a personal budget or direct payment to cover the agreed cost of the adoption support services to which the budget or payment relates;

(g) about when, how, to whom and on what conditions direct payments may (and may not) be made;

(h) about when direct payments may be required to be repaid and the recovery of unpaid sums;

(i) about conditions with which a person or body making direct payments must comply before, after or at the time of making a direct payment;

(j) about arrangements for providing information, advice or support in connection with personal budgets and direct payments.

(5) If the regulations include provision authorising direct payments, they must—

(a) require the consent of the recipient, or (in prescribed circumstances) a person of a prescribed description, to be obtained before direct payments are made;

(b) require the authority to stop making direct payments where the required consent is withdrawn.

(6) Any adoption support services secured by means of direct payments made by a local authority are to be treated as adoption support services provided by the authority for all purposes, subject to any prescribed conditions or exceptions.

(7) On the occasion of the first exercise of the power to make regulations under this section—

(a) the statutory instrument containing the regulations is not to be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament, and

(b) accordingly section 140(2) does not apply to the instrument.

(8) In this section “ prescribed ” means prescribed by regulations.

Section 6 Adoption support services: duty to provide information

In Chapter 2 of Part 1 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (the Adoption Service) after section 4A (as inserted by section 5) insert—

Adoption support services: duty to provide information

(4B)

(1) Except in circumstances prescribed by regulations, a local authority in England must provide the information specified in subsection (2) to—

(a) any person who has contacted the authority to request information about adopting a child,

(b) any person who has informed the authority that he or she wishes to adopt a child,

(c) any person within the authority's area who the authority are aware is a parent of an adopted child, and

(d) any person within the authority's area who is a parent of an adopted child and has contacted the authority to request any of the information specified in subsection (2).

(2) The information is—

(a) information about the adoption support services available to people in the authority's area;

(b) information about the right to request an assessment under section 4 (assessments etc for adoption support services), and the authority's duties under that section and regulations made under it;

(c) information about the authority's duties under section 4A (adoption support services: personal budgets) and regulations made under it;

(d) any other information prescribed by regulations.

Section 7 The Adoption and Children Act Register

(1) The Adoption and Children Act 2002 is amended as follows.

(2) In section 125 (Adoption and Children Act Register)—

(a) in subsection (1)(a), after “children who are suitable for adoption” insert “ , children for whom a local authority in England are considering adoption ” ;

(b) in subsection (3), after “search” insert “ (subject to regulations under section 128A) ” .

(3) In section 128 (supply of information for the register), in subsection (4)(b), after “children suitable for adoption” insert “ or for whom a local authority in England are considering adoption ” .

(4) After section 128 insert—

Search and inspection of the register by prospective adopters

(128A)

(1) Regulations may make provision enabling prospective adopters who are suitable to adopt a child to search and inspect the register, for the purposes of assisting them to find a child for whom they would be appropriate adopters.

(2) Regulations under subsection (1) may make provision enabling prospective adopters to search and inspect only prescribed parts of the register, or prescribed content on the register.

(3) Access to the register for the purpose of searching and inspecting it may be granted on any prescribed terms and conditions.

(4) Regulations may prescribe the steps to be taken by prospective adopters in respect of information received by them as a result of searching or inspecting the register.

(5) Regulations may make provision requiring prospective adopters, in prescribed circumstances, to pay a prescribed fee to the Secretary of State or the registration organisation in respect of searching or inspecting the register.

(6) On the occasion of the first exercise of the power to make regulations under this section—

(a) the statutory instrument containing the regulations is not to be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament, and

(b) accordingly section 140(2) does not apply to the instrument.

(5) In section 129 (disclosure of information), in subsection (2)(a) after “suitable for adoption” insert “ or for whom a local authority in England is considering adoption ” .

(6) In section 140(7) (power for subordinate legislation to make different provision for different purposes) after “purposes” insert “ or areas ” .

(7) In section 97 of the Children Act 1989 (privacy for children involved in certain proceedings), after subsection (6) insert—

(6A) It is not a contravention of this section to—

(a) enter material in the Adoption and Children Act Register (established under section 125 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002), or

(b) permit persons to search and inspect that register pursuant to regulations made under section 128A of that Act.

(8) Schedule 1 (amendments to the Adoption and Children Act 2002 to provide for the Adoption and Children Act Register not to apply to Wales and Scotland and to remove the requirement to make provision for that register by Order in Council, and other related amendments) has effect.

Section 8 Contact: children in care of local authorities

(1) Section 34 of the Children Act 1989 (parental contact etc with children in care) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (1), after “subject to the provisions of this section” insert “ and their duty under section 22(3)(a) ” .

(3) After subsection (6) insert—

(6A) Where (by virtue of an order under this section, or because subsection (6) applies) a local authority in England are authorised to refuse to allow contact between the child and a person mentioned in any of paragraphs (a) to (c) of paragraph 15(1) of Schedule 2, paragraph 15(1) of that Schedule does not require the authority to endeavour to promote contact between the child and that person.

(4) In subsection (8), before paragraph (a) insert—

(za) what a local authority in England must have regard to in considering whether contact between a child and a person mentioned in any of paragraphs (a) to (d) of subsection (1) is consistent with safeguarding and promoting the child's welfare;

(5) In subsection (11) after “Before” insert “ making, varying or discharging an order under this section or ” .

Section 9 Contact: post-adoption

(1) After section 51 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 insert—

Post-adoption contact

Post-adoption contact

(51A)

(1) This section applies where—

(a) an adoption agency has placed or was authorised to place a child for adoption, and

(b) the court is making or has made an adoption order in respect of the child.

(2) When making the adoption order or at any time afterwards, the court may make an order under this section—

(a) requiring the person in whose favour the adoption order is or has been made to allow the child to visit or stay with the person named in the order under this section, or for the person named in that order and the child otherwise to have contact with each other, or

(b) prohibiting the person named in the order under this section from having contact with the child.

(3) The following people may be named in an order under this section—

(a) any person who (but for the child's adoption) would be related to the child by blood (including half-blood), marriage or civil partnership;

(b) any former guardian of the child;

(c) any person who had parental responsibility for the child immediately before the making of the adoption order;

(d) any person who was entitled to make an application for an order under section 26 in respect of the child (contact with children placed or to be placed for adoption) by virtue of subsection (3)(c), (d) or (e) of that section;

(e) any person with whom the child has lived for a period of at least one year.

(4) An application for an order under this section may be made by—

(a) a person who has applied for the adoption order or in whose favour the adoption order is or has been made,

(b) the child, or

(c) any person who has obtained the court's leave to make the application.

(5) In deciding whether to grant leave under subsection (4)(c), the court must consider—

(a) any risk there might be of the proposed application disrupting the child's life to such an extent that he or she would be harmed by it (within the meaning of the 1989 Act),

(b) the applicant's connection with the child, and

(c) any representations made to the court by—

(i) the child, or

(ii) a person who has applied for the adoption order or in whose favour the adoption order is or has been made.

(6) When making an adoption order, the court may on its own initiative make an order of the type mentioned in subsection (2)(b).

(7) The period of one year mentioned in subsection (3)(e) need not be continuous but must not have begun more than five years before the making of the application.

(8) Where this section applies, an order under section 8 of the 1989 Act may not make provision about contact between the child and any person who may be named in an order under this section.

Orders under section 51A: supplementary

(51B)

(1) An order under section 51A—

(a) may contain directions about how it is to be carried into effect,

(b) may be made subject to any conditions the court thinks appropriate,

(c) may be varied or revoked by the court on an application by the child, a person in whose favour the adoption order was made or a person named in the order, and

(d) has effect until the child's 18th birthday, unless revoked.

(2) Subsection (3) applies to proceedings—

(a) on an application for an adoption order in which—

(i) an application is made for an order under section 51A, or

(ii) the court indicates that it is considering making such an order on its own initiative;

(b) on an application for an order under section 51A;

(c) on an application for such an order to be varied or revoked.

(3) The court must (in the light of any rules made by virtue of subsection (4))—

(a) draw up a timetable with a view to determining without delay whether to make, (or as the case may be) vary or revoke an order under section 51A, and

(b) give directions for the purpose of ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, that that timetable is adhered to.

(4) Rules of court may—

(a) specify periods within which specified steps must be taken in relation to proceedings to which subsection (3) applies, and

(b) make other provision with respect to such proceedings for the purpose of ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the court makes determinations about orders under section 51A without delay.

(2) In section 1 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (considerations applying to the exercise of powers relating to the adoption of a child), in subsection (7)(a) after “section 26” insert “ or 51A ” .

(3) In section 26 of that Act (children placed, or authorised to be placed, for adoption: contact), omit subsection (5).

(4) In section 96(3) of that Act (section 95 does not prohibit payment of legal or medical expenses in connection with applications under section 26 etc) after “26” insert “ , 51A ” .

(5) In section 1(1) of the Family Law Act 1986 (orders which are Part 1 orders) after paragraph (ab) insert—

(ac) an order made under section 51A of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (post-adoption contact), other than an order varying or revoking such an order;

(6) In section 2 of that Act (jurisdiction of courts in England and Wales to make Part 1 orders: pre-conditions) after subsection (2B) insert—

(2C) A court in England and Wales shall not have jurisdiction to make an order under section 51A of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 unless—

(a) it has jurisdiction under the Council Regulation or the Hague Convention, or

(b) neither the Council Regulation nor the Hague Convention applies but the condition in section 3 of this Act is satisfied.

(7) In section 9 of the Children Act 1989, in subsection (5)(a) (restrictions on making certain orders with respect to children) after “order” insert “ or an order under section 51A of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (post-adoption contact) ” .

(8) In section 17(4) of the Armed Forces Act 1991 (persons to be given notice of application for service family child assessment order) before paragraph (e) insert—

(db) any person in whose favour an order under section 51A of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (post-adoption contact) is in force with respect to the child;

(9) In section 18(7) of that Act (persons who may apply to vary or discharge a service family child assessment order) before paragraph (e) insert—

(db) any person in whose favour an order under section 51A of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (post-adoption contact) is in force with respect to the child;

(10) In section 20(8) of that Act (persons who are to be allowed reasonable contact with a child subject to a protection order) before paragraph (d) insert—

(cb) any person in whose favour an order under section 51A of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (post-adoption contact) is in force with respect to the child;

(11) In section 22A(7) of that Act (persons who are to be allowed reasonable contact with a child in service police protection) before paragraph (d) insert—

(cb) any person in whose favour an order under section 51A of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (post-adoption contact) is in force with respect to the child,

(12) In Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (civil legal services)—

(a) in paragraph 12(9) (victims of domestic violence and family matters), in the definition of “family enactment” after paragraph (o) insert—

(xvi) section 51A of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (post-adoption contact orders).

(b) in paragraph 13(1) (protection of children and family matters) after paragraph (f) insert—

(g) orders under section 51A of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (post-adoption contact).

Section 10 Family mediation information and assessment meetings

(1) Before making a relevant family application, a person must attend a family mediation information and assessment meeting.

(2) Family Procedure Rules—

(a) may provide for subsection (1) not to apply in circumstances specified in the Rules,

(b) may make provision about convening a family mediation information and assessment meeting, or about the conduct of such a meeting,

(c) may make provision for the court not to issue, or otherwise deal with, an application if, in contravention of subsection (1), the applicant has not attended a family mediation information and assessment meeting, and

(d) may provide for a determination as to whether an applicant has contravened subsection (1) to be made after considering only evidence of a description specified in the Rules.

(3) In this section—

“ the court ” means the High Court or the family court;

“ family mediation information and assessment meeting ”, in relation to a relevant family application, means a meeting held for the purpose of enabling information to be provided about—

mediation of disputes of the kinds to which relevant family applications relate,

ways in which disputes of those kinds may be resolved otherwise than by the court, and

the suitability of mediation, or of any such other way of resolving disputes, for trying to resolve any dispute to which the particular application relates;

“ family proceedings ” has the same meaning as in section 75 of the Courts Act 2003;

“ relevant family application ” means an application that—

is made to the court in, or to initiate, family proceedings, and

is of a description specified in Family Procedure Rules.

(4) This section is without prejudice to sections 75 and 76 of the Courts Act 2003 (power to make Family Procedure Rules).

Section 11 Welfare of the child: parental involvement

(1) Section 1 of the Children Act 1989 (welfare of the child) is amended as follows.

(2) After subsection (2) insert—

(2A) A court, in the circumstances mentioned in subsection (4)(a) or (7), is as respects each parent within subsection (6)(a) to presume, unless the contrary is shown, that involvement of that parent in the life of the child concerned will further the child's welfare.

(2B) In subsection (2A) “ involvement ” means involvement of some kind, either direct or indirect, but not any particular division of a child's time.

(3) After subsection (5) insert—

(6) In subsection (2A) “ parent ” means parent of the child concerned; and, for the purposes of that subsection, a parent of the child concerned—

(a) is within this paragraph if that parent can be involved in the child's life in a way that does not put the child at risk of suffering harm; and

(b) is to be treated as being within paragraph (a) unless there is some evidence before the court in the particular proceedings to suggest that involvement of that parent in the child's life would put the child at risk of suffering harm whatever the form of the involvement.

(7) The circumstances referred to are that the court is considering whether to make an order under section 4(1)(c) or (2A) or 4ZA(1)(c) or (5) (parental responsibility of parent other than mother).

Section 12 Child arrangements orders

(1) Section 8(1) of the Children Act 1989 is amended as follows.

(2) Omit the definitions of “contact order” and “residence order”.

(3) After “In this Act—” insert—

“ child arrangements order ” means an order regulating arrangements relating to any of the following—

(a) with whom a child is to live, spend time or otherwise have contact, and

(b) when a child is to live, spend time or otherwise have contact with any person;

(4) Schedule 2 (amendments relating to child arrangements orders) has effect.

Section 13 Control of expert evidence, and of assessments, in children proceedings

(1) A person may not without the permission of the court instruct a person to provide expert evidence for use in children proceedings.

(2) Where in contravention of subsection (1) a person is instructed to provide expert evidence, evidence resulting from the instructions is inadmissible in children proceedings unless the court rules that it is admissible.

(3) A person may not without the permission of the court cause a child to be medically or psychiatrically examined or otherwise assessed for the purposes of the provision of expert evidence in children proceedings.

(4) Where in contravention of subsection (3) a child is medically or psychiatrically examined or otherwise assessed, evidence resulting from the examination or other assessment is inadmissible in children proceedings unless the court rules that it is admissible.

(5) In children proceedings, a person may not without the permission of the court put expert evidence (in any form) before the court.

(6) The court may give permission as mentioned in subsection (1), (3) or (5) only if the court is of the opinion that the expert evidence is necessary to assist the court to resolve the proceedings justly.

(7) When deciding whether to give permission as mentioned in subsection (1), (3) or (5) the court is to have regard in particular to—

(a) any impact which giving permission would be likely to have on the welfare of the children concerned, including in the case of permission as mentioned in subsection (3) any impact which any examination or other assessment would be likely to have on the welfare of the child who would be examined or otherwise assessed,

(b) the issues to which the expert evidence would relate,

(c) the questions which the court would require the expert to answer,

(d) what other expert evidence is available (whether obtained before or after the start of proceedings),

(e) whether evidence could be given by another person on the matters on which the expert would give evidence,

(f) the impact which giving permission would be likely to have on the timetable for, and duration and conduct of, the proceedings,

(g) the cost of the expert evidence, and

(h) any matters prescribed by Family Procedure Rules.

(8) References in this section to providing expert evidence, or to putting expert evidence before a court, do not include references to—

(a) the provision or giving of evidence—

(i) by a person who is a member of the staff of a local authority or of an authorised applicant,

(ii) in proceedings to which the authority or authorised applicant is a party, and

(iii) in the course of the person's work for the authority or authorised applicant,

(b) the provision or giving of evidence—

(i) by a person within a description prescribed for the purposes of subsection (1) of section 94 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (suitability for adoption etc. ), and

(ii) about the matters mentioned in that subsection,

(c) the provision or giving of evidence by an officer of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service when acting in that capacity, or

(d) the provision or giving of evidence by a Welsh family proceedings officer (as defined by section 35(4) of the Children Act 2004) when acting in that capacity.

(9) In this section—

“ authorised applicant ” means—

the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, or

a person authorised by an order under section 31 of the Children Act 1989 to bring proceedings under that section;

“ child ” means a person under the age of 18;

“children proceedings” has such meaning as may be prescribed by Family Procedure Rules;

“ the court ”, in relation to any children proceedings, means the court in which the proceedings are taking place;

“local authority”—

in relation to England means—

a county council,

a district council for an area for which there is no county council,

a London borough council,

the Common Council of the City of London, or

the Council of the Isles of Scilly, and

in relation to Wales means a county council or a county borough council.

(10) The preceding provisions of this section are without prejudice to sections 75 and 76 of the Courts Act 2003 (power to make Family Procedure Rules).

(11) In section 38 of the Children Act 1989 (court's power to make interim care and supervision orders, and to give directions as to medical examination etc. of children) after subsection (7) insert—

(7A) A direction under subsection (6) to the effect that there is to be a medical or psychiatric examination or other assessment of the child may be given only if the court is of the opinion that the examination or other assessment is necessary to assist the court to resolve the proceedings justly.

(7B) When deciding whether to give a direction under subsection (6) to that effect the court is to have regard in particular to—

(a) any impact which any examination or other assessment would be likely to have on the welfare of the child, and any other impact which giving the direction would be likely to have on the welfare of the child,

(b) the issues with which the examination or other assessment would assist the court,

(c) the questions which the examination or other assessment would enable the court to answer,

(d) the evidence otherwise available,

(e) the impact which the direction would be likely to have on the timetable, duration and conduct of the proceedings,

(f) the cost of the examination or other assessment, and

(g) any matters prescribed by Family Procedure Rules.

Section 14 Care, supervision and other family proceedings: time limits and timetables

(1) The Children Act 1989 is amended as follows.

(2) In section 32(1)(a) (timetable for dealing with application for care or supervision order) for “disposing of the application without delay; and” substitute

disposing of the application—

(i) without delay, and

(ii) in any event within twenty-six weeks beginning with the day on which the application was issued; and

(3) In section 32 (care and supervision orders) after subsection (2) insert—

(3) A court, when drawing up a timetable under subsection (1)(a), must in particular have regard to—

(a) the impact which the timetable would have on the welfare of the child to whom the application relates; and

(b) the impact which the timetable would have on the conduct of the proceedings.

(4) A court, when revising a timetable drawn up under subsection (1)(a) or when making any decision which may give rise to a need to revise such a timetable (which does not include a decision under subsection (5)), must in particular have regard to—

(a) the impact which any revision would have on the welfare of the child to whom the application relates; and

(b) the impact which any revision would have on the duration and conduct of the proceedings.

(5) A court in which an application under this Part is proceeding may extend the period that is for the time being allowed under subsection (1)(a)(ii) in the case of the application, but may do so only if the court considers that the extension is necessary to enable the court to resolve the proceedings justly.

(6) When deciding whether to grant an extension under subsection (5), a court must in particular have regard to—

(a) the impact which any ensuing timetable revision would have on the welfare of the child to whom the application relates, and

(b) the impact which any ensuing timetable revision would have on the duration and conduct of the proceedings;

and here “ ensuing timetable revision ” means any revision, of the timetable under subsection (1)(a) for the proceedings, which the court considers may ensue from the extension.

(7) When deciding whether to grant an extension under subsection (5), a court is to take account of the following guidance: extensions are not to be granted routinely and are to be seen as requiring specific justification.

(8) Each separate extension under subsection (5) is to end no more than eight weeks after the later of—

(a) the end of the period being extended; and

(b) the end of the day on which the extension is granted.

(9) The Lord Chancellor may by regulations amend subsection (1)(a)(ii), or the opening words of subsection (8), for the purpose of varying the period for the time being specified in that provision.

(10) Rules of court may provide that a court—

(a) when deciding whether to exercise the power under subsection (5), or

(b) when deciding how to exercise that power,

must, or may or may not, have regard to matters specified in the rules, or must take account of any guidance set out in the rules.

(4) In section 38 (interim care and supervision orders)—

(a) in subsection (4) (duration of interim order) omit—

(i) paragraph (a) (order may not last longer than 8 weeks), and

(ii) paragraph (b) (subsequent order generally may not last longer than 4 weeks),

(b) in that subsection after paragraph (d) insert—

(da) in a case which falls within subsection (1)(b) and in which—

(i) no direction has been given under section 37(4), and

(ii) no application for a care order or supervision order has been made with respect to the child,

the expiry of the period of eight weeks beginning with the date on which the order is made;

(c) omit subsection (5) (interpretation of subsection (4)(b)).

(5) In section 11(1) (section 8 orders: court's duty, in the light of rules made by virtue of section 11(2), to draw up timetable and give directions to implement it) for “rules made by virtue of subsection (2))” substitute “ provision in rules of court that is of the kind mentioned in subsection (2)(a) or (b)) ” .

(6) In section 14E(1) (special guardianship orders: court's duty, in the light of rules made by virtue of subsection (3), to draw up timetable and give directions to implement it) for “rules made by virtue of subsection (3))” substitute “ provision in rules of court that is of the kind mentioned in section 11(2)(a) or (b)) ” .

(7) In section 32(1) (care and supervision orders: court's duty, in the light of rules made by virtue of section 32(2), to draw up timetable and give directions to implement it)—

(a) for “hearing an application for an order under this Part” substitute “ in which an application for an order under this Part is proceeding ” , and

(b) for “rules made by virtue of subsection (2))” substitute “ provision in rules of court that is of the kind mentioned in subsection (2)(a) or (b)) ” .

(8) In section 109(1) of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (adoption and placement orders: court's duty, in the light of rules made by virtue of section 109(2), to draw up timetable and give directions to implement it) for “rules made by virtue of subsection (2))” substitute “ provision in rules of court that is of the kind mentioned in subsection (2)(a) or (b)) ” .

Section 15 Care plans

(1) For section 31(3A) of the Children Act 1989 (no care order to be made until court has considered section 31A care plan) substitute—

(3A) A court deciding whether to make a care order—

(a) is required to consider the permanence provisions of the section 31A plan for the child concerned, but

(b) is not required to consider the remainder of the section 31A plan, subject to section 34(11).

(3B) For the purposes of subsection (3A), the permanence provisions of a section 31A plan are such of the plan's provisions setting out the long-term plan for the upbringing of the child concerned as provide for any of the following—

(a) the child to live with any parent of the child's or with any other member of, or any friend of, the child's family;

(b) adoption;

(c) long-term care not within paragraph (a) or (b).

(3C) The Secretary of State may by regulations amend this section for the purpose of altering what for the purposes of subsection (3A) are the permanence provisions of a section 31A plan.

(2) In section 31A of the Children Act 1989 (care plans)—

(a) in subsection (1) (where application made for care order, care plan to be prepared within such time as the court may direct) for “the court may direct” substitute “ may be prescribed ” , and

(b) after subsection (4) insert—

(4A) In this section “prescribed”—

(a) in relation to a care plan whose preparation is the responsibility of a local authority for an area in England, means prescribed by the Secretary of State; and

(b) in relation to a care plan whose preparation is the responsibility of a local authority in Wales, means prescribed by the Welsh Ministers.

(3) In consequence of subsection (1), section 121(1) of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 is repealed.

Section 16 Care proceedings and care plans: regulations: procedural requirements

(1) In section 104 of the Children Act 1989 (regulations and orders)—

(a) in subsections (2) and (3A) (regulations within subsection (3B) or (3C) not subject to annulment but to be approved in draft) after “(3B)” insert “ , (3BA) ” , and

(b) after subsection (3B) insert—

(3BA) Regulations fall within this subsection if they are regulations made in the exercise of the power conferred by section 31(3C) or 32(9).

(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 17 Repeal of restrictions on divorce and dissolution etc where there are children

(1) The following are repealed—

(a) section 41 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 (in proceedings for divorce etc. court is to consider whether to exercise powers under Children Act 1989);

(b) section 63 of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (in proceedings for dissolution etc. court is to consider whether to exercise powers under Children Act 1989).

(2) The following amendments and repeals are in consequence of the repeals made by subsection (1).

(3) In section 9(1)(a) of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 (proceedings after decree of divorce: power to make decree absolute is subject to section 41)—

(a) for “sections” substitute “ section ” , and

(b) omit “and 41”.

(4) In section 17(2) of that Act (grant of decree of judicial separation is subject to section 41) omit “, subject to section 41 below,”.

(5) Omit paragraph 31 of Schedule 12 to the Children Act 1989 (which substitutes section 41 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973).

(6) In section 40(4)(b) of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (proceedings after conditional order: power to make order final is subject to section 63) omit the words from “and section 63” to the end.

(7) In section 56(3) of that Act (making of separation order is subject to section 63) omit “, subject to section 63,”.

Section 18 Repeal of uncommenced provisions of Part 2 of the Family Law Act 1996

(1) Part 2 of the Family Law Act 1996 (divorce and separation), except section 22 (the only provision of Part 2 which is in force), is repealed.

(2) In consequence of subsection (1), the following provisions of the Family Law Act 1996 (which relate to provisions of Part 2) are repealed—

(a) section 1(c) and (d),

(b) section 63(2)(a),

(c) section 64(1)(a),

(d) in section 65(5) the words “to rules made under section 12 or”,

(e) Part 1 of Schedule 8, except—

(i) paragraph 16(5)(a), (6)(b) and (7) (which have been brought into force), and

(ii) paragraphs 4 and 16(1) (which relate to those provisions),

(f) in Schedule 9, paragraphs 1 and 2 and, in paragraph 4, the definitions of “decree”, “instrument” and “petition”, and

(g) in Schedule 10, the entries relating to—

(i) the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973,

(ii) the Domicile and Matrimonial Proceedings Act 1973,

(iii) sections 1, 7 and 63 of, and paragraph 38 of Schedule 2 to, the Domestic Proceedings and Magistrates' Courts Act 1978,

(iv) the Senior Courts Act 1981,

(v) the Administration of Justice Act 1982,

(vi) the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984,

(vii) the Family Law Act 1986, and

(viii) Schedule 13 to the Children Act 1989.

(3) In consequence of subsections (1) and (2), the following provisions are repealed—

(a) paragraphs 50 to 52 of Schedule 4 to the Access to Justice Act 1999,

(b) the following provisions of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999—

(i) section 28(1)(b) and (c), (2), (4) and (5),

(ii) section 48(1)(b) and (c), (2), (4) and (5), and

(iii) in Schedule 12, paragraphs 64 to 66,

(c) paragraphs 22 to 25 of Schedule 1 to the Constitutional Reform Act 2005,

(d) paragraph 12 of Schedule 2 to the Children and Adoption Act 2006, and

(e) the following provisions of Schedule 5 to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012—

(i) paragraphs 43 to 45, and

(ii) in the second column of the Table in Part 2, paragraph (l) of the entry relating to Schedule 4 to the Access to Justice Act 1999.

(4) In consequence of subsection (1), in section 1 of the Family Law Act 1996 (general principles underlying Part 2), in the words before paragraph (a) and in the title, for “Parts II and III ” substitute “ section 22 ” .

(5) In consequence of subsection (3)(b)(i), in section 28(11) of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 (interpretation of subsections (4)(b), (5)(c) and (6)) for “subsections (4)(b), (5)(c) and” substitute “ subsection ” .

(6) The modifications set out in subsection (7), which were originally made by article 3(2) of the No. 2 Order and article 4 of the No. 3 Order, are to continue to have effect but as amendments of the provisions concerned (rather than as modifications having effect until the coming into force of provisions of the Family Law Act 1996 repealed by this section without having come into force).

(7) The modifications are—

(a) in section 22(2) of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984 for the words from “if” to “granted” substitute “ if a decree of divorce, a decree of nullity of marriage or a decree of judicial separation has been granted ” , and

(b) in section 31 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973—

(i) in subsection (7D) for “Subsections (7) and (8) of section 22A” substitute “ Section 23(6) ” ,

(ii) in subsection (7D) for “section 22A” substitute “ section 23 ” , and

(iii) in subsection (7F) for “section 23A” substitute “ section 24 ” .

(8) In section 31(7D) of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973—

(a) for “apply”, in the first place, substitute “ applies ” , and

(b) for “they apply where it” substitute “ it applies where the court ” .

(9) Articles 3(2) and 4 of the No. 2 Order, and article 4 of the No. 3 Order, are revoked; and in subsection (6) and this subsection—

“ the No. 2 Order ” means the Family Law Act 1996 (Commencement No. 2) Order 1997 ( S.I. 1997/1892), and

“ the No. 3 Order ” means the Family Law Act 1996 (Commencement No. 3) Order 1998 (S.I. 1998/2572).

Section 19 Local authority functions: supporting and involving children and young people

In exercising a function under this Part in the case of a child or young person, a local authority in England must have regard to the following matters in particular—

(a) the views, wishes and feelings of the child and his or her parent, or the young person;

(b) the importance of the child and his or her parent, or the young person, participating as fully as possible in decisions relating to the exercise of the function concerned;

(c) the importance of the child and his or her parent, or the young person, being provided with the information and support necessary to enable participation in those decisions;

(d) the need to support the child and his or her parent, or the young person, in order to facilitate the development of the child or young person and to help him or her achieve the best possible educational and other outcomes.

Section 20 When a child or young person has special educational needs

(1) A child or young person has special educational needs if he or she has a learning difficulty or disability which calls for special educational provision to be made for him or her.

(2) A child of compulsory school age or a young person has a learning difficulty or disability if he or she—

(a) has a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of others of the same age, or

(b) has a disability which prevents or hinders him or her from making use of facilities of a kind generally provided for others of the same age in mainstream schools or mainstream post-16 institutions.

(3) A child under compulsory school age has a learning difficulty or disability if he or she is likely to be within subsection (2) when of compulsory school age (or would be likely, if no special educational provision were made).

(4) A child or young person does not have a learning difficulty or disability solely because the language (or form of language) in which he or she is or will be taught is different from a language (or form of language) which is or has been spoken at home.

(5) This section applies for the purposes of this Part.

Section 21 Special educational provision, health care provision and social care provision

(1) “Special educational provision”, for a child aged two or more or a young person, means educational or training provision that is additional to, or different from, that made generally for others of the same age in—

(a) mainstream schools in England,

(b) maintained nursery schools in England,

(c) mainstream post-16 institutions in England, or

(d) places in England at which relevant early years education is provided.

(2) “Special educational provision”, for a child aged under two, means educational provision of any kind.

(3) “ Health care provision ” means the provision of health care services as part of the comprehensive health service in England continued under section 1(1) of the National Health Service Act 2006.

(4) “ Social care provision ” means the provision made by a local authority in the exercise of its social services functions.

(5) Health care provision or social care provision which educates or trains a child or young person is to be treated as special educational provision (instead of health care provision or social care provision).

(6) This section applies for the purposes of this Part.

Section 22 Identifying children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities

A local authority in England must exercise its functions with a view to securing that it identifies—

(a) all the children and young people in its area who have or may have special educational needs, and

(b) all the children and young people in its area who have a disability.

Section 23 Duty of health bodies to bring certain children to local authority's attention

(1) This section applies where, in the course of exercising functions in relation to a child who is under compulsory school age, an integrated care board , NHS trust or NHS foundation trust form the opinion that the child has (or probably has) special educational needs or a disability.

(2) The board or trust must—

(a) inform the child's parent of their opinion and of their duty under subsection (3), and

(b) give the child's parent an opportunity to discuss their opinion with an officer of the board or trust.

(3) The board or trust must then bring their opinion to the attention of the appropriate local authority in England.

(4) If the board or trust think a particular voluntary organisation is likely to be able to give the parent advice or assistance in connection with any special educational needs or disability the child may have, they must inform the parent of that.

Section 24 When a local authority is responsible for a child or young person

(1) A local authority in England is responsible for a child or young person if he or she is in the authority's area and has been—

(a) identified by the authority as someone who has or may have special educational needs, or

(b) brought to the authority's attention by any person as someone who has or may have special educational needs.

(2) This section applies for the purposes of this Part.

Section 25 Promoting integration

(1) A local authority in England must exercise its functions under this Part with a view to ensuring the integration of educational provision and training provision with health care provision and social care provision, where it thinks that this would—

(a) promote the well-being of children or young people in its area who have special educational needs or a disability, or

(b) improve the quality of special educational provision—

(i) made in its area for children or young people who have special educational needs, or

(ii) made outside its area for children or young people for whom it is responsible who have special educational needs.

(2) The reference in subsection (1) to the well-being of children and young people is to their well-being so far as relating to—

(a) physical and mental health and emotional well-being;

(b) protection from abuse and neglect;

(c) control by them over their day-to-day lives;

(d) participation in education, training or recreation;

(e) social and economic well-being;

(f) domestic, family and personal relationships;

(g) the contribution made by them to society.

Section 26 Joint commissioning arrangements

(1) A local authority in England and its partner commissioning bodies must make arrangements (“joint commissioning arrangements”) about the education, health and care provision to be secured for—

(a) children and young people for whom the authority is responsible who have special educational needs, and

(b) children and young people in the authority's area who have a disability.

(2) In this Part “ education, health and care provision ” means—

(a) special educational provision;

(b) health care provision;

(c) social care provision.

(3) Joint commissioning arrangements must include arrangements for considering and agreeing—

(a) the education, health and care provision reasonably required by—

(i) the learning difficulties and disabilities which result in the children and young people within subsection (1)(a) having special educational needs, and

(ii) the disabilities of the children and young people within subsection (1)(b);

(b) what education, health and care provision is to be secured;

(c) by whom education, health and care provision is to be secured;

(d) what advice and information is to be provided about education, health and care provision;

(e) by whom, to whom and how such advice and information is to be provided;

(f) how complaints about education, health and care provision may be made and are to be dealt with;

(g) procedures for ensuring that disputes between the parties to the joint commissioning arrangements are resolved as quickly as possible.

(4) Joint commissioning arrangements about securing education, health and care provision must in particular include arrangements for—

(a) securing EHC needs assessments;

(b) securing the education, health and care provision specified in EHC plans;

(c) agreeing personal budgets under section 49.

(5) Joint commissioning arrangements may also include other provision.

(6) The parties to joint commissioning arrangements must—

(a) have regard to them in the exercise of their functions, and

(b) keep them under review.

(7) Section 116B of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (duty to have regard to assessment of relevant needs and joint local health and wellbeing strategy) applies in relation to functions exercisable under this section.

(8) A local authority's “partner commissioning bodies” are—

(a) NHS England , to the extent that it is under a duty under section 3B of the National Health Service Act 2006 to arrange for the provision of services or facilities for—

(i) any children and young people for whom the authority is responsible who have special educational needs, or

(ii) any children and young people in the authority's area who have a disability, and

(b) each integrated care board that is under a duty under section 3 of that Act to arrange for the provision of services or facilities for any children and young people within paragraph (a).

(9) Regulations may prescribe circumstances in which an integrated care board that would otherwise be a partner commissioning body of a local authority by virtue of subsection (8)(b) is to be treated as not being a partner commissioning body of the authority.

Section 27 Duty to keep education and care provision under review

(1) A local authority in England must keep under review—

(a) the educational provision, training provision and social care provision made in its area for children and young people who have special educational needs or a disability, and

(b) the educational provision, training provision and social care provision made outside its area for—

(i) children and young people for whom it is responsible who have special educational needs, and

(ii) children and young people in its area who have a disability.

(2) The authority must consider the extent to which the provision referred to in subsection (1)(a) and (b) is sufficient to meet the educational needs, training needs and social care needs of the children and young people concerned.

(3) In exercising its functions under this section, the authority must consult—

(a) children and young people in its area with special educational needs, and the parents of children in its area with special educational needs;

(b) children and young people in its area who have a disability, and the parents of children in its area who have a disability;

(c) the governing bodies of maintained schools and maintained nursery schools in its area;

(d) the proprietors of Academies in its area;

(e) the governing bodies, proprietors or principals of post-16 institutions in its area;

(f) the governing bodies of non-maintained special schools in its area;

(g) the advisory boards of children's centres in its area;

(h) the providers of relevant early years education in its area;

(i) the governing bodies, proprietors or principals of other schools and post-16 institutions in England and Wales that the authority thinks are or are likely to be attended by—

(i) children or young people for whom it is responsible, or

(ii) children or young people in its area who have a disability;

(j) a youth offending team that the authority thinks has functions in relation to—

(i) children or young people for whom it is responsible, or

(ii) children or young people in its area who have a disability;

(k) such other persons as the authority thinks appropriate.

(4) Section 116B of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (duty to have regard to assessment of relevant needs and joint local health and wellbeing strategy) applies in relation to functions exercisable under this section.

(5) “ Children's centre ” has the meaning given by section 5A(4) of the Childcare Act 2006.

Section 28 Co-operating generally: local authority functions

(1) A local authority in England must co-operate with each of its local partners, and each local partner must co-operate with the authority, in the exercise of the authority's functions under this Part.

(2) Each of the following is a local partner of a local authority in England for this purpose—

(a) where the authority is a county council for an area for which there is also a district council, the district council;

(b) the governing body of a maintained school or maintained nursery school that is maintained by the authority or provides education or training for children or young people for whom the authority is responsible;

(c) the proprietor of an Academy that is in the authority's area or provides education or training for children or young people for whom the authority is responsible;

(d) the proprietor of a non-maintained special school that is in the authority's area or provides education or training for children or young people for whom the authority is responsible;

(e) the governing body of an institution within the further education sector that is in the authority's area, or is attended, or likely to be attended, by children or young people for whom the authority is responsible;

(f) the management committee of a pupil referral unit that is in the authority's area, or is in England and is or is likely to be attended by children or young people for whom the authority is responsible;

(g) the proprietor of an institution approved by the Secretary of State under section 41 (independent special schools and special post 16 institutions: approval) that is in the authority's area, or is attended, or likely to be attended, by children or young people for whom the authority is responsible;

(h) any other person (other than a school or post-16 institution) that makes special educational provision for a child or young person for whom the authority is responsible;

(i) a youth offending team that the authority thinks has functions in relation to children or young people for whom it is responsible;

(j) a person in charge of relevant youth accommodation—

(i) in which there are detained persons aged 18 or under for whom the authority was responsible immediately before the beginning of their detention, or

(ii) that the authority thinks is accommodation in which such persons are likely to be detained;

(k) NHS England ;

(l) an integrated care board —

(i) whose area coincides with, or falls wholly or partly within, the authority's area, or

(ii) which is under a duty under section 3 of the National Health Service Act 2006 to arrange for the provision of services or facilities for any children and young people for whom the authority is responsible;

(m) an NHS trust or NHS foundation trust which provides services in the authority's area, or which exercises functions in relation to children or young people for whom the authority is responsible;

(n) a Local Health Board which exercises functions in relation to children or young people for whom the authority is responsible.

(3) A local authority in England must make arrangements for ensuring co-operation between—

(a) the officers of the authority who exercise the authority's functions relating to education or training,

(b) the officers of the authority who exercise the authority's social services functions for children or young people with special educational needs, and

(c) the officers of the authority, so far as they are not officers within paragraph (a) or (b), who exercise the authority's functions relating to provision which is within section 30(2)(e) (provision to assist in preparing children and young people for adulthood and independent living).

(4) Regulations may prescribe circumstances in which an integrated care board that would otherwise be a local partner of a local authority by virtue of subsection (2)(l)(ii) is to be treated as not being a local partner of the authority.

Section 29 Co-operating generally: governing body functions

(1) This section applies where an appropriate authority for a school or post-16 institution mentioned in subsection (2) has functions under this Part.

(2) The schools and post-16 institutions referred to in subsection (1) are—

(a) mainstream schools;

(b) maintained nursery schools;

(c) 16 to 19 Academies;

(d) institutions within the further education sector;

(e) pupil referral units;

(f) alternative provision Academies.

(3) The appropriate authority must co-operate with each responsible local authority, and each responsible local authority must co-operate with the appropriate authority, in the exercise of those functions.

(4) A responsible local authority, in relation to an appropriate authority for a school or post-16 institution mentioned in subsection (2), is a local authority in England that is responsible for any child or young person who is a registered pupil or a student at the school or post-16 institution.

(5) The “appropriate authority” for a school or post-16 institution is—

(a) in the case of a maintained school, maintained nursery school, or institution within the further education sector, the governing body;

(b) in the case of an Academy, the proprietor;

(c) in the case of a pupil referral unit, the management committee.

Section 30 SEN and disability local offer

(1) A local authority in England must publish information about—

(a) the provision within subsection (2) it expects to be available in its area at the time of publication for children and young people who have special educational needs or a disability, and

(b) the provision within subsection (2) it expects to be available outside its area at that time for—

(i) children and young people for whom it is responsible, and

(ii) children and young people in its area who have a disability.

(2) The provision for children and young people referred to in subsection (1) is—

(a) education, health and care provision;

(b) other educational provision;

(c) other training provision;

(d) arrangements for travel to and from schools and post-16 institutions and places at which relevant early years education is provided;

(e) provision to assist in preparing children and young people for adulthood and independent living.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2)(e), provision to assist in preparation for adulthood and independent living includes provision relating to—

(a) finding employment;

(b) obtaining accommodation;

(c) participation in society.

(4) Information required to be published by an authority under this section is to be known as its " SEN and disability local offer ".

(5) A local authority must keep its SEN and disability local offer under review and may from time to time revise it.

(6) A local authority must from time to time publish—

(a) comments about its SEN and disability local offer it has received from or on behalf of—

(i) children and young people with special educational needs, and the parents of children with special educational needs, and

(ii) children and young people who have a disability, and the parents of children who have a disability, and

(b) the authority's response to those comments (including details of any action the authority intends to take).

(7) Comments published under subsection (6)(a) must be published in a form that does not enable the person making them to be identified.

(8) Regulations may make provision about—

(a) the information to be included in an authority's SEN and disability local offer ;

(b) how an authority's SEN and disability local offer is to be published;

(c) who is to be consulted by an authority in preparing and reviewing its SEN and disability local offer ;

(d) how an authority is to involve—

(i) children and young people with special educational needs, and the parents of children with special educational needs, and

(ii) children and young people who have a disability, and the parents of children who have a disability,

in the preparation and review of its SEN and disability local offer ;

(e) the publication of comments on the SEN and disability local offer , and the local authority's response, under subsection (6) (including circumstances in which comments are not required to be published).

(9) The regulations may in particular require an authority's SEN and disability local offer to include—

(a) information about how to obtain an EHC needs assessment;

(b) information about other sources of information, advice and support for—

(i) children and young people with special educational needs and those who care for them, and

(ii) children and young people who have a disability and those who care for them;

(c) information about gaining access to provision additional to, or different from, the provision mentioned in subsection (2);

(d) information about how to make a complaint about provision mentioned in subsection (2).

Section 31 Co-operating in specific cases: local authority functions

(1) This section applies where a local authority in England requests the co-operation of any of the following persons and bodies in the exercise of a function under this Part—

(a) another local authority;

(b) a youth offending team;

(c) the person in charge of any relevant youth accommodation;

(d) NHS England ;

(e) an integrated care board;

(f) a Local Health Board;

(g) an NHS trust or NHS foundation trust.

(2) The person or body must comply with the request, unless the person or body considers that doing so would—

(a) be incompatible with the duties of the person or body, or

(b) otherwise have an adverse effect on the exercise of the functions of the person or body.

(3) A person or body that decides not to comply with a request under subsection (1) must give the authority that made the request written reasons for the decision.

(4) Regulations may provide that, where a person or body is under a duty to comply with a request to co-operate with a local authority in securing an EHC needs assessment, a detained person's EHC needs assessment or the preparation of an EHC plan, the person or body must comply with the request within a prescribed period, unless a prescribed exception applies.

Section 32 Advice and information

(1) A local authority in England must arrange for children and young people for whom it is responsible, and the parents of children for whom it is responsible, to be provided with advice and information about matters relating to the special educational needs of the children or young people concerned.

(2) A local authority in England must arrange for children and young people in its area with a disability, and the parents of children in its area with a disability, to be provided with advice and information about matters relating to the disabilities of the children or young people concerned.

(3) The authority must take such steps as it thinks appropriate for making the services provided under subsections (1) and (2) known to—

(a) the parents of children in its area;

(b) children in its area;

(c) young people in its area;

(d) the head teachers, proprietors and principals of schools and post-16 institutions in its area.

(4) The authority may also take such steps as it thinks appropriate for making the services provided under subsections (1) and (2) known to such other persons as it thinks appropriate.

Section 33 Children and young people with EHC plans

(1) This section applies where a local authority is securing the preparation of an EHC plan for a child or young person who is to be educated in a school or post-16 institution.

(2) In a case within section 39(5) or 40(2), the local authority must secure that the plan provides for the child or young person to be educated in a maintained nursery school, mainstream school or mainstream post-16 institution, unless that is incompatible with—

(a) the wishes of the child's parent or the young person, or

(b) the provision of efficient education for others.

(3) A local authority may rely on the exception in subsection (2)(b) in relation to maintained nursery schools, mainstream schools or mainstream post-16 institutions in its area taken as a whole only if it shows that there are no reasonable steps that it could take to prevent the incompatibility.

(4) A local authority may rely on the exception in subsection (2)(b) in relation to a particular maintained nursery school, mainstream school or mainstream post-16 institution only if it shows that there are no reasonable steps that it or the governing body, proprietor or principal could take to prevent the incompatibility.

(5) The governing body, proprietor or principal of a maintained nursery school, mainstream school or mainstream post-16 institution may rely on the exception in subsection (2)(b) only if they show that there are no reasonable steps that they or the local authority could take to prevent the incompatibility.

(6) Subsection (2) does not prevent the child or young person from being educated in an independent school, a non-maintained special school or a special post-16 institution, if the cost is not to be met by a local authority or the Secretary of State.

(7) This section does not affect the operation of section 63 (fees payable by local authority for special educational provision at non-maintained schools and post-16 institutions).

Section 34 Children and young people with special educational needs but no EHC plan

(1) This section applies to a child or young person in England who has special educational needs but for whom no EHC plan is maintained, if he or she is to be educated in a school or post-16 institution.

(2) The child or young person must be educated in a maintained nursery school, mainstream school or mainstream post-16 institution, subject to subsections (3) and (4).

(3) The child or young person may be educated in an independent school, a non-maintained special school or a special post-16 institution, if the cost is not to be met by a local authority or the Secretary of State.

(4) The child or young person may be educated in a special school or special post-16 institution during any period in which any of subsections (5) to (9) applies.

(5) This subsection applies while the child or young person is admitted to a special school or special post-16 institution for the purposes of an EHC needs assessment, if all the following have agreed to his or her admission to the school or post-16 institution—

(a) the local authority which is responsible for him or her;

(b) the head teacher of the school or the principal of the Academy or post-16 institution;

(c) the child's parent or the young person;

(d) anyone else whose advice is required to be obtained in connection with the assessment by virtue of regulations under section 36(11).

(6) This subsection applies while the child or young person remains admitted to a special school or special post-16 institution, in prescribed circumstances, following an EHC needs assessment at the school or post-16 institution.

(7) This subsection applies while the child or young person is admitted to a special school or special post-16 institution, following a change in his or her circumstances, if all the following have agreed to his or her admission to the school or post-16 institution—

(a) the local authority which is responsible for him or her;

(b) the head teacher of the school or the principal of the Academy or post-16 institution;

(c) the child's parent or the young person.

(8) This subsection applies while the child or young person is admitted to a special school which is established in a hospital and is—

(a) a community or foundation special school, or

(b) an Academy school.

(9) This subsection applies while the child is admitted to a special school or special post-16 institution that is an Academy, if the Academy arrangements made in respect of the school or post-16 institution permit it to admit children and young people with special educational needs for whom no EHC plan is maintained.

(10) This section does not affect the operation of section 63 (fees payable by local authority for special educational provision at non-maintained schools and post-16 institutions).

Section 35 Children with SEN in maintained nurseries and mainstream schools

(1) This section applies where a child with special educational needs is being educated in a maintained nursery school or a mainstream school.

(2) Those concerned with making special educational provision for the child must secure that the child engages in the activities of the school together with children who do not have special educational needs, subject to subsection (3).

(3) Subsection (2) applies only so far as is reasonably practicable and is compatible with—

(a) the child receiving the special educational provision called for by his or her special educational needs,

(b) the provision of efficient education for the children with whom he or she will be educated, and

(c) the efficient use of resources.

Section 36 Assessment of education, health and care needs

(1) A request for a local authority in England to secure an EHC needs assessment for a child or young person may be made to the authority by the child's parent, the young person or a person acting on behalf of a school or post-16 institution.

(2) An “EHC needs assessment” is an assessment of the educational, health care and social care needs of a child or young person.

(3) When a request is made to a local authority under subsection (1), or a local authority otherwise becomes responsible for a child or young person, the authority must determine whether it may be necessary for special educational provision to be made for the child or young person in accordance with an EHC plan.

(4) In making a determination under subsection (3), the local authority must consult the child's parent or the young person.

(5) Where the local authority determines that it is not necessary for special educational provision to be made for the child or young person in accordance with an EHC plan it must notify the child's parent or the young person—

(a) of the reasons for that determination, and

(b) that accordingly it has decided not to secure an EHC needs assessment for the child or young person.

(6) Subsection (7) applies where—

(a) no EHC plan is maintained for the child or young person,

(b) the child or young person has not been assessed under this section or section 71 during the previous six months, and

(c) the local authority determines that it may be necessary for special educational provision to be made for the child or young person in accordance with an EHC plan.

(7) The authority must notify the child's parent or the young person—

(a) that it is considering securing an EHC needs assessment for the child or young person, and

(b) that the parent or young person has the right to—

(i) express views to the authority (orally or in writing), and

(ii) submit evidence to the authority.

(8) The local authority must secure an EHC needs assessment for the child or young person if, after having regard to any views expressed and evidence submitted under subsection (7), the authority is of the opinion that—

(a) the child or young person has or may have special educational needs, and

(b) it may be necessary for special educational provision to be made for the child or young person in accordance with an EHC plan.

(9) After an EHC needs assessment has been carried out, the local authority must notify the child's parent or the young person of—

(a) the outcome of the assessment,

(b) whether it proposes to secure that an EHC plan is prepared for the child or young person, and

(c) the reasons for that decision.

(10) In making a determination or forming an opinion for the purposes of this section in relation to a young person aged over 18, a local authority must consider whether he or she requires additional time, in comparison to the majority of others of the same age who do not have special educational needs, to complete his or her education or training.

(11) Regulations may make provision about EHC needs assessments, in particular—

(a) about requests under subsection (1);

(b) imposing time limits in relation to consultation under subsection (4);

(c) about giving notice;

(d) about expressing views and submitting evidence under subsection (7);

(e) about how assessments are to be conducted;

(f) about advice to be obtained in connection with an assessment;

(g) about combining an EHC needs assessment with other assessments;

(h) about the use for the purposes of an EHC needs assessment of information obtained as a result of other assessments;

(i) about the use of information obtained as a result of an EHC needs assessment, including the use of that information for the purposes of other assessments;

(j) about the provision of information, advice and support in connection with an EHC needs assessment.

Section 37 Education, health and care plans

(1) Where, in the light of an EHC needs assessment, it is necessary for special educational provision to be made for a child or young person in accordance with an EHC plan—

(a) the local authority must secure that an EHC plan is prepared for the child or young person, and

(b) once an EHC plan has been prepared, it must maintain the plan.

(2) For the purposes of this Part, an EHC plan is a plan specifying—

(a) the child's or young person's special educational needs;

(b) the outcomes sought for him or her;

(c) the special educational provision required by him or her;

(d) any health care provision reasonably required by the learning difficulties and disabilities which result in him or her having special educational needs;

(e) in the case of a child or a young person aged under 18, any social care provision which must be made for him or her by the local authority as a result of section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 ...;

(f) any social care provision reasonably required by the learning difficulties and disabilities which result in the child or young person having special educational needs, to the extent that the provision is not already specified in the plan under paragraph (e).

(3) An EHC plan may also specify other health care and social care provision reasonably required by the child or young person.

(4) Regulations may make provision about the preparation, content, maintenance, amendment and disclosure of EHC plans.

(5) Regulations under subsection (4) about amendments of EHC plans must include provision applying section 33 (mainstream education for children and young people with EHC plans) to a case where an EHC plan is to be amended under those regulations.

Section 38 Preparation of EHC plans: draft plan

(1) Where a local authority is required to secure that an EHC plan is prepared for a child or young person, it must consult the child's parent or the young person about the content of the plan during the preparation of a draft of the plan.

(2) The local authority must then—

(a) send the draft plan to the child's parent or the young person, and

(b) give the parent or young person notice of his or her right to—

(i) make representations about the content of the draft plan, and

(ii) request the authority to secure that a particular school or other institution within subsection (3) is named in the plan.

(3) A school or other institution is within this subsection if it is—

(a) a maintained school;

(b) a maintained nursery school;

(c) an Academy;

(d) an institution within the further education sector in England;

(e) a non-maintained special school;

(f) an institution approved by the Secretary of State under section 41 (independent special schools and special post-16 institutions: approval).

(4) A notice under subsection (2)(b) must specify a period before the end of which any representations or requests must be made.

(5) The draft EHC plan sent to the child's parent or the young person must not—

(a) name a school or other institution, or

(b) specify a type of school or other institution.

Section 39 Finalising EHC plans: request for particular school or other institution

(1) This section applies where, before the end of the period specified in a notice under section 38(2)(b), a request is made to a local authority to secure that a particular school or other institution is named in an EHC plan.

(2) The local authority must consult—

(a) the governing body, proprietor or principal of the school or other institution,

(b) the governing body, proprietor or principal of any other school or other institution the authority is considering having named in the plan, and

(c) if a school or other institution is within paragraph (a) or (b) and is maintained by another local authority, that authority.

(3) The local authority must secure that the EHC plan names the school or other institution specified in the request, unless subsection (4) applies.

(4) This subsection applies where—

(a) the school or other institution requested is unsuitable for the age, ability, aptitude or special educational needs of the child or young person concerned, or

(b) the attendance of the child or young person at the requested school or other institution would be incompatible with—

(i) the provision of efficient education for others, or

(ii) the efficient use of resources.

(5) Where subsection (4) applies, the local authority must secure that the plan—

(a) names a school or other institution which the local authority thinks would be appropriate for the child or young person, or

(b) specifies the type of school or other institution which the local authority thinks would be appropriate for the child or young person.

(6) Before securing that the plan names a school or other institution under subsection (5)(a), the local authority must (if it has not already done so) consult—

(a) the governing body, proprietor or principal of any school or other institution the authority is considering having named in the plan, and

(b) if that school or other institution is maintained by another local authority, that authority.

(7) The local authority must, at the end of the period specified in the notice under section 38(2)(b), secure that any changes it thinks necessary are made to the draft EHC plan.

(8) The local authority must send a copy of the finalised EHC plan to—

(a) the child's parent or the young person, and

(b) the governing body, proprietor or principal of any school or other institution named in the plan.

Section 40 Finalising EHC plans: no request for particular school or other institution

(1) This section applies where no request is made to a local authority before the end of the period specified in a notice under section 38(2)(b) to secure that a particular school or other institution is named in an EHC plan.

(2) The local authority must secure that the plan—

(a) names a school or other institution which the local authority thinks would be appropriate for the child or young person concerned, or

(b) specifies the type of school or other institution which the local authority thinks would be appropriate for the child or young person.

(3) Before securing that the plan names a school or other institution under subsection (2)(a), the local authority must consult—

(a) the governing body, proprietor or principal of any school or other institution the authority is considering having named in the plan, and

(b) if that school or other institution is maintained by another local authority, that authority.

(4) The local authority must also secure that any changes it thinks necessary are made to the draft EHC plan.

(5) The local authority must send a copy of the finalised EHC plan to—

(a) the child's parent or the young person, and

(b) the governing body, proprietor or principal of any school or other institution named in the plan.

Section 41 Independent special schools and special post-16 institutions: approval

(1) The Secretary of State may approve an institution within subsection (2) for the purpose of enabling the institution to be the subject of a request for it to be named in an EHC plan.

(2) An institution is within this subsection if it is—

(a) an independent educational institution (within the meaning of Chapter 1 of Part 4 of ESA 2008)—

(i) which has been entered on the register of independent educational institutions in England (kept under section 95 of that Act), and

(ii) which is specially organised to make special educational provision for students with special educational needs,

(b) an independent school—

(i) which has been entered on the register of independent schools in Wales (kept under section 158 of the Education Act 2002), and

(ii) which is specially organised to make special educational provision for pupils with special educational needs, or

(c) a special post-16 institution which is not an institution within the further education sector or a 16 to 19 Academy.

(3) The Secretary of State may approve an institution under subsection (1) only if its proprietor consents.

(4) The Secretary of State may withdraw approval given under subsection (1).

(5) Regulations may make provision about giving and withdrawing approval under this section, in particular—

(a) about the types of special post-16 institutions which may be approved under subsection (1);

(b) specifying criteria which an institution must meet before it can be approved under subsection (1);

(c) about the matters which may or must be taken into account in deciding to give or withdraw approval;

(d) about the publication of a list of all institutions who are approved under this section.

Section 42 Duty to secure special educational provision and health care provision in accordance with EHC Plan

(1) This section applies where a local authority maintains an EHC plan for a child or young person.

(2) The local authority must secure the specified special educational provision for the child or young person.

(3) If the plan specifies health care provision, the responsible commissioning body must arrange the specified health care provision for the child or young person.

(4) “ The responsible commissioning body ”, in relation to any specified health care provision, means the body (or each body) that is under a duty to arrange health care provision of that kind in respect of the child or young person.

(5) Subsections (2) and (3) do not apply if the child's parent or the young person has made suitable alternative arrangements.

(6) “ Specified ”, in relation to an EHC plan, means specified in the plan.

Section 43 Schools and other institutions named in EHC plan: duty to admit

(1) Subsection (2) applies if one of the following is named in an EHC plan—

(a) a maintained school in England ;

(b) a maintained nursery school in England ;

(c) an Academy;

(d) an institution within the further education sector in England;

(e) a non-maintained special school in England ;

(f) an institution approved by the Secretary of State under section 41.

(2) The governing body, proprietor or principal of the school or other institution must admit the child or young person for whom the plan is maintained.

(3) Subsection (2) has effect regardless of any duty imposed on the governing body of a school by section 1(6) of SSFA 1998.

(4) Subsection (2) does not affect any power to exclude a pupil or student from a school or other institution.

Section 44 Reviews and re-assessments

(1) A local authority must review an EHC plan that it maintains—

(a) in the period of 12 months starting with the date on which the plan was first made, and

(b) in each subsequent period of 12 months starting with the date on which the plan was last reviewed under this section.

(2) A local authority must secure a re-assessment of the educational, health care and social care needs of a child or young person for whom it maintains an EHC plan if a request is made to it by—

(a) the child's parent or the young person, or

(b) the governing body, proprietor or principal of the school, post-16 institution or other institution which the child or young person attends.

(3) A local authority may also secure a re-assessment of those needs at any other time if it thinks it necessary.

(4) Subsections (1) and (2) are subject to any contrary provision in regulations made under subsection (7)(b).

(5) In reviewing an EHC plan maintained for a young person aged over 18, or deciding whether to secure a re-assessment of the needs of such a young person, a local authority must have regard to whether the educational or training outcomes specified in the plan have been achieved.

(6) During a review or re-assessment, a local authority must consult the parent of the child, or the young person, for whom it maintains the EHC plan.

(7) Regulations may make provision about reviews and re-assessments, in particular—

(a) about other circumstances in which a local authority must or may review an EHC plan or secure a re-assessment (including before the end of a specified phase of a child's or young person's education);

(b) about circumstances in which it is not necessary for a local authority to review an EHC plan or secure a re-assessment;

(c) about amending or replacing an EHC plan following a review or re-assessment.

(8) Regulations under subsection (7) about re-assessments may in particular apply provisions of or made under this Part that are applicable to EHC needs assessments, with or without modifications.

(9) Regulations under subsection (7)(c) must include provision applying section 33 (mainstream education for children and young people with EHC plans) to a case where an EHC plan is to be amended following a review.

Section 45 Ceasing to maintain an EHC plan

(1) A local authority may cease to maintain an EHC plan for a child or young person only if—

(a) the authority is no longer responsible for the child or young person, or

(b) the authority determines that it is no longer necessary for the plan to be maintained.

(2) The circumstances in which it is no longer necessary for an EHC plan to be maintained for a child or young person include where the child or young person no longer requires the special educational provision specified in the plan.

(3) When determining whether a young person aged over 18 no longer requires the special educational provision specified in his or her EHC plan, a local authority must have regard to whether the educational or training outcomes specified in the plan have been achieved.

(4) A local authority may not cease to maintain an EHC plan for a child or young person until—

(a) after the end of the period allowed for bringing an appeal under section 51 against its decision to cease to maintain the plan, where no such appeal is brought before the end of that period;

(b) after the appeal has been finally determined, where such an appeal is brought before the end of that period.

(5) Regulations may make provision about ceasing to maintain an EHC plan, in particular about—

(a) other circumstances in which it is no longer necessary for an EHC plan to be maintained;

(b) circumstances in which a local authority may not determine that it is no longer necessary for an EHC plan to be maintained;

(c) the procedure to be followed by a local authority when determining whether to cease to maintain an EHC plan.

Section 46 Maintaining an EHC plan after young person's 25th birthday

(1) A local authority may continue to maintain an EHC plan for a young person until the end of the academic year during which the young person attains the age of 25.

(2) “ Academic year ” means the period of twelve months ending on the prescribed date.

Section 47 Transfer of EHC plans

(1) Regulations may make provision for an EHC plan maintained for a child or young person by one local authority to be transferred to another local authority in England, where the other authority becomes responsible for the child or young person.

(2) The regulations may in particular—

(a) impose a duty on the other authority to maintain the plan;

(b) treat the plan as if originally prepared by the other authority;

(c) treat things done by the transferring authority in relation to the plan as done by the other authority.

Section 48 Release of child or young person for whom EHC plan previously maintained

(1) This section applies where—

(a) a child or young person who has been subject to a detention order (within the meaning of section 562(1A)(a) of EA 1996) is released,

(b) on the release date, a local authority in England becomes responsible for him or her, and

(c) an EHC plan was—

(i) maintained for him or her immediately before the start of the detention, or

(ii) kept for him or her under section 74 during the detention.

(2) The local authority must—

(a) maintain the plan, and

(b) review the plan as soon as reasonably practicable after the release date.

(3) Subsection (2)(b) is subject to any contrary provision in regulations under section 44(7)(b).

Section 49 Personal budgets and direct payments

(1) A local authority that maintains an EHC plan, or is securing the preparation of an EHC plan, for a child or young person must prepare a personal budget for him or her if asked to do so by the child's parent or the young person.

(2) The authority prepares a “personal budget” for the child or young person if it identifies an amount as available to secure particular provision that is specified, or proposed to be specified, in the EHC plan, with a view to the child's parent or the young person being involved in securing the provision.

(3) Regulations may make provision about personal budgets, in particular—

(a) about requests for personal budgets;

(b) about the amount of a personal budget;

(c) about the sources of the funds making up a personal budget;

(d) for payments (“direct payments”) representing all or part of a personal budget to be made to a child's parent or a young person, or a person of a prescribed description in prescribed circumstances, in order to secure provision to which the budget relates;

(e) about the description of provision to which personal budgets and direct payments may (and may not) relate;

(f) for a personal budget or direct payment to cover the agreed cost of the provision to which the budget or payment relates;

(g) about when, how, to whom and on what conditions direct payments may (and may not) be made;

(h) about when direct payments may be required to be repaid and the recovery of unpaid sums;

(i) about conditions with which a person or body making direct payments must comply before, after or at the time of making a direct payment;

(j) about arrangements for providing information, advice or support in connection with personal budgets and direct payments.

(4) If the regulations include provision authorising direct payments, they must—

(a) require the consent of a child's parent or a young person, or a person of a prescribed description in prescribed circumstances, to be obtained before direct payments are made;

(b) require the authority to stop making direct payments where the required consent is withdrawn.

(5) Special educational provision acquired by means of a direct payment made by a local authority is to be treated as having been secured by the authority in pursuance of its duty under section 42(2), subject to any prescribed conditions or exceptions.

(6) Subsection (7) applies if—

(a) an EHC plan is maintained for a child or young person, and

(b) health care provision specified in the plan is acquired for him or her by means of a payment made by a commissioning body under section 12A(1) of the National Health Service Act 2006 (direct payments for health care).

(7) The health care provision is to be treated as having been arranged by the commissioning body in pursuance of its duty under section 42(3) of this Act, subject to any prescribed conditions or exceptions.

(8) “ Commissioning body ”, in relation to any specified health care provision, means a body that is under a duty to arrange health care provision of that kind in respect of the child or young person.

Section 50 Continuation of services under section 17 of the Children Act 1989

After section 17 of the Children Act 1989 (provision of services for children etc) insert—

Section 17 services: continued provision where EHC plan maintained

(17ZG)

(1) This section applies where, immediately before a child in need reaches the age of 18—

(a) a local authority in England is providing services for the child in the exercise of functions conferred by section 17, and

(b) an EHC plan is maintained for the child.

(2) The local authority may continue to provide services for the child in the exercise of those functions after the child reaches the age of 18, but may not continue to do so after the EHC plan has ceased to be maintained.

(3) In this section “ EHC plan ” means a plan within section 37(2) of the Children and Families Act 2014.