s 34C Additional functions of the responsible authority in respect of relevant children
(1) An authority shall take reasonable steps to keep in touch with a relevant child for whom it is the responsible authority, whether he is within the authority's area or not. (2) An authority shall appoint a personal adviser for each relevant child (if it had not already done so under Article 34A). (3) An authority, in relation to any relevant child who does not already have a pathway plan prepared for the purposes of Article 34A, shall— (a) carry out an assessment of his needs with a view to determining what advice, assistance and support it would be appropriate for the authority to provide him under this Part; and (b) prepare a pathway plan for him. (4) The authority may carry out such an assessment at the same time as any assessment of his needs is made under any statutory provision referred to in sub-paragraphs (a) to (c) of paragraph 4 of Schedule 2, or under any other statutory provision. (5) The Department may by regulations make provision as to assessments for the purposes of paragraph (3). (6) The regulations may in particular provide for the matters set out in Article 34A(9). (7) The authority shall keep the pathway plan under regular review. (8) The responsible authority shall safeguard and promote the child's welfare and, unless the authority is satisfied that his welfare does not require it, support him by— (a) maintaining him; (b) providing him with or maintaining him in suitable accommodation; and (c) providing support of such other descriptions as may be prescibed. (9) Support under paragraph (8) may be in cash. (10) The Department may by regulations make provision about the meaning of "suitable accommodation" and in particular about the suitability of landlords or other providers of accommodation. (11) If it has lost touch with a relevant child, despite taking reasonable steps to keep in touch, the authority must without delay— (a) consider how to re-establish contact; and (b) take reasonable steps to do so, and while the child is still a relevant child the authority must continue to take such steps until it succeeds. (12) Paragraphs (7) to (9) of Article 18 apply in relation to support given under this Article as they apply in relation to assistance given under Article 18. (13) Paragraphs (2) and (3) of Article 26 apply in relation to any decision by an authority for the purposes of this Article as they apply in relation to the decisions referred to in that Article.