(1)In each financial year the CSCI must conduct a review of the English local authority social services which are provided by, or pursuant to arrangements made by, each local authority in England.
(2)After conducting a review under subsection (1) in respect of a local authority the CSCI must award
[F1(a)a performance rating to that authority in respect of all the English local authority social services provided by, or pursuant to arrangements made by, that authority—
(i)to or so far as relating to persons under the age of eighteen; or
(ii)under sections 23C to 24D of the Children Act 1989; and
(b)a performance rating to that authority in respect of all other English local authority social services provided by, or pursuant to arrangements made by, that authority.]
(3) The CSCI is to exercise its functions under this section by reference to criteria from time to time devised by it and approved by the Secretary of State.
(4) The CSCI must publish the criteria devised and approved from time to time under subsection (3).
(5) The CSCI is to exercise its functions under this section in any financial year in accordance with any timetable specified in relation to that year by the Secretary of State.
(6) In exercising its functions under this section the CSCI must take into account guidance issued to local authorities under section 7 of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 (c. 42).
(7) In exercising its functions under this section in relation to the functions referred to in section 43(3)(a) and (b) of the Care Standards Act 2000 (c. 14) (adoption and fostering functions), the CSCI must take into account the standards prepared and published from time to time under section 23 of that Act.
(8) For the purposes of this section, the CSCI may carry out an inspection of—
(a)the local authority being reviewed;
(b)any person providing an English local authority social service pursuant to arrangements made by the authority.
(9) The Secretary of State may, after consulting the CSCI , by regulations make provision as to the procedure to be followed in respect of the making of representations to the CSCI before the award of a performance rating under this section.
Textual Amendments
F1S. 79(2)(a)(b) substituted for words (1.4.2005 for E.) by Children Act 2004 (c. 21), ss. 24(1), 67; S.I. 2005/394, art. 2(2)
Commencement Information
I1S. 79 partly in force; s. 79 in force at Royal Assent for certain purposes, see s. 199(1)(4)
I2 S. 79 in force at 1.4.2004 for E. insofar as not already in force by S.I. 2004/759 , art. 4(2)(a)