Children Act 1989

[F1 86A Visitors for children notified to local authority F2 ... E+W

(1) This section applies if the appropriate officer of a local authority [F3 in England]—

(a) has been notified with respect to a child under section 85(1) or 86(1) [F4 “, or under section 120(2)(a) of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014]; and

(b) has not been notified with respect to that child under section 85(2) [F5 , 86(2), or under section 120(2)(b) of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, as the case may be].

(2) The local authority must, in accordance with regulations made under this section, make arrangements for the child to be visited by a representative of the authority (“a representative”).

(3) It is the function of a representative to provide advice and assistance to the local authority on the performance of their duties under section 85(4) or, as the case may be, 86(3).

(4) Regulations under this section may make provision about—

(a) the frequency of visits under visiting arrangements;

(b) circumstances in which visiting arrangements must require a child to be visited; and

(c) additional functions of a representative.

(5) Regulations under this section are to be made by the Secretary of State F6 ....

(6) In choosing a representative a local authority must satisfy themselves that the person chosen has the necessary skills and experience to perform the functions of a representative.

(7) In this section “ visiting arrangements ” means arrangements made under subsection (2). ]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 86A inserted (1.1.2010 for certain purposes and 1.4.2011 otherwise) by Children and Young Persons Act 2008 (c. 23), ss. 18, 44; S.I. 2009/3354, art. 2; S.I. 2010/2981, art. 2(b)

F2 Words in s. 86A heading omitted (6.4.2016) by virtue of The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/413), regs. 2(1), 104(e)

F3 Words in s. 86A(1) inserted (6.4.2016) by The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/413), regs. 2(1), 104(a)

F4 Words in s. 86A(1)(a) inserted (6.4.2016) by The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/413), regs. 2(1), 104(b)

F5 Words in s. 86A(1)(b) substituted (6.4.2016) by The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/413), regs. 2(1), 104(c)

F6 Words in s. 86A(5) omitted (6.4.2016) by virtue of The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/413), regs. 2(1), 104(d)