Sentencing Act 2020

372 Making a parenting order

(1) This section applies where a court makes a parenting order under this Chapter in respect of a person (“the parent”).

(2) Requirements specified in a parenting order under this Chapter must, as far as practicable, be such as to avoid—

(a) any conflict with the parent’s religious beliefs, and

(b) any interference with the times, if any, at which the parent normally works or attends an educational establishment.

(3) Before making a parenting order, a court must explain to the parent in ordinary language—

(a) the effect of the order and of the requirements proposed to be included in it;

(b) the consequences which may follow (under section 375) if the parent fails to comply with those requirements, and

(c) that the court has power (under section 374) to review the order on the application either of the parent or of the responsible officer.

(4) The parenting order must specify the responsible officer.

(5) The responsible officer must be—

(a) an officer of a provider of probation services acting in the local justice area in which it appears to the court that the parent resides or will reside,

(b) a social worker of the local authority in whose area it appears to the court that the parent resides or will reside,

(c) a person nominated by—

(i) a person appointed as director of children’s services under section 18 of the Children Act 2004, or

(ii) a person appointed as chief education officer under section 532 of the Education Act 1996, or

(d) a member of a youth offending team established by the local authority in whose area it appears to the court that the parent resides or will reside.

(6) For the purposes of this Chapter, the Inner Temple and the Middle Temple form part of the City of London.