Children Act 1989 (c. 41)

Part III E+W+S Local Authority Support for Children and Families

[F1 Independent reviewing officers E+W

Textual Amendments

F1 Ss. 25A, 25B and cross-heading inserted (1.9.2009 for certain purposes for E., 26.4.2010 for certain purposes for W., and and 1.4.2011 otherwise for E.) by Children and Young Persons Act 2008 (c. 23), ss. 10(1), 44; S.I. 2009/2273, art. 2(2)(c); S.I. 2010/1329, art. 2(c); S.I. 2010/2981, art. 4(c) (with art. 5)

[F2 26A Advocacy services E+W

(1) Every local authority shall make arrangements for the provision of assistance to—

(a) persons who make or intend to make representations under section 24D; and

(b) children who make or intend to make representations under section 26.

(2) The assistance provided under the arrangements shall include assistance by way of representation.

[F3 (2A) The duty under subsection (1) includes a duty to make arrangements for the provision of assistance where representations under section 24D or 26 are further considered under section F4 . . . 26ZB.]

(3) The arrangements—

(a) shall secure that a person may not provide assistance if he is a person who is prevented from doing so by regulations made by the [F5 appropriate national authority]; and

(b) shall comply with any other provision made by the regulations in relation to the arrangements.

(4) The [F6 appropriate national authority] may make regulations requiring local authorities to monitor the steps that they have taken with a view to ensuring that they comply with regulations made for the purposes of subsection (3).

(5) Every local authority shall give such publicity to their arrangements for the provision of assistance under this section as they consider appropriate.]]

Textual Amendments

F2 S. 26A inserted (30.1.2004 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.4.2004) by 2002 c. 38, ss. 119, 148 (with Sch. 4 paras. 6-8); S.I. 2003/3079, art. 2(3)(4)(b)

F3 S. 26A(2A) inserted (1.4.2006 for W. and otherwise prosp.) by Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (c. 43), ss. 116(3), 199; S.I. 2005/3285, art. 2(2)(c)

F4 Words in s. 26A(2A) repealed (1.4.2007) by Education and Inspections Act 2006 (c. 40), ss. 157, 184, 188, Sch. 14 para. 11, Sch. 18 Pt. 5; S.I. 2007/935, art. 5(gg)(ii)

F5 Words in s. 26A(3)(a) substituted (13.11.2008) by Children and Young Persons Act 2008 (c. 23), ss. 39, 44, Sch. 3 para. 18

F6 Words in s. 26A(4) substituted (13.11.2008) by Children and Young Persons Act 2008 (c. 23), ss. 39, 44, Sch. 3 para. 18