Education Act 1997

Changes over time for: Section 38

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Changes to legislation:

Education Act 1997, Section 38 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 23 January 2025. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.

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Changes and effects yet to be applied to Section 38:

s. 38 heading words inserted by 2022 asc 1 Sch. 4 para. 9(3)(f)
s. 38(1) words inserted by 2022 asc 1 Sch. 4 para. 9(3)(a)(ii)
s. 38(1)(b) words substituted by 2022 asc 1 Sch. 4 para. 9(3)(a)(i)
s. 38(2B) inserted by 2022 asc 1 Sch. 4 para. 9(3)(b)
s. 38(3) words substituted by 2022 asc 1 Sch. 4 para. 9(3)(c)
s. 38(4) words substituted by 2022 asc 1 Sch. 4 para. 9(3)(d)
s. 38(6) words inserted by 2022 asc 1 Sch. 4 para. 9(3)(e)
s. 39(1)(b)(c) substituted for s. 39(1)(b) by 2022 asc 1 Sch. 4 para. 9(4)(b)

Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:

Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):

s. 38(2B) inserted by 2022 asc 1 Sch. 4 para. 9(3)(b)
s. 39(1)(b)(c) substituted for s. 39(1)(b) by 2022 asc 1 Sch. 4 para. 9(4)(b)

38 Inspection of [F1local authorities] .E+W

(1)The Chief Inspector—

(a)may, and

(b)if requested to do so by the Secretary of State, shall,

arrange for any [F2local authority] to be inspected under this section.

F3(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F4(2A)An inspection of a [F2local authority] in Wales under this section shall consist of a review of the way in which the authority are performing—

[F5(a)any education function of theirs;]

(b)the functions conferred on them under [F6section 25] [F7of the Children Act 2004] so far as relating to education, training or youth support services (within the meaning of section 123 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000).]

(3)A request by the Secretary of State under this section may relate to one or more [F1local authorities], and shall specify both—

(a)the [F2local authority] or authorities concerned, and

(b)the functions of theirs to which the inspection is to relate.

(4)Before making any such request the Secretary of State shall consult the Chief Inspector as to the matters to be specified in the request in accordance with subsection (3).

(5)Any inspection under this section shall be conducted—

(a)by one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Schools in F8... Wales, or

(b)by any additional inspector authorised under F9... [F10paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 to [F11the Education Act 2005]];

but he may be assisted by such other persons (whether or not members of the Chief Inspector’s staff) as the Chief Inspector thinks fit.

(6)For the purposes of this section a [F2local authority] shall provide the Chief Inspector with such information as may be prescribed, and shall do so in such form and—

(a)within such period following a request made by the Chief Inspector in any prescribed circumstances, or

(b)at such other times,

as regulations may provide.

(7)In this section and sections 39 to [F1241A] “the Chief Inspector” means—

F13(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b)in relation to a [F2local authority] in Wales, [F14Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales or Prif Arolygydd Ei Mawrhydi dros Addysg a Hyfforddiant yng Nghymru];

and in those sections references to “the inspector” in relation to an inspection under this section are references to the person conducting the inspection.

Textual Amendments

F1Words in Act substituted (5.5.2010) by The Local Education Authorities and Children’s Services Authorities (Integration of Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1158), Sch. 2 para. 8(3)

F2Words in Act substituted (5.5.2010) by The Local Education Authorities and Children’s Services Authorities (Integration of Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1158), Sch. 2 para. 8(2)

F3S. 38(2) repealed (1.4.2007) by Education and Inspections Act 2006 (c. 40), s. 188(3), Sch. 14 para. 22(2), Sch. 18 Pt. 5; S.I. 2007/935, art. 5(gg)(ii)

F4S. 38(2)(2A) substituted for s. 38(2) (1.4.2005 for E., 31.7.2008 for W.) by Children Act 2004 (c. 31), ss. 51, 67(7)(e); S.I. 2005/394, art. 2(2)(e); S.I. 2008/1904, art. 2

F5S. 38(2A)(a) substituted (5.5.2010) by The Local Education Authorities and Children’s Services Authorities (Integration of Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1158), art. 1, Sch. 2 para. 8(4)

F6Words in s. 38(2A)(b) substituted (1.4.2016) by Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 (anaw 2), s. 56(2), Sch. 4 para. 1; S.I. 2016/86, art. 3

F7Words in s. 38(2A)(b) inserted (1.4.2008) by Childcare Act 2006 (c. 21), s. 109(2), Sch. 2 para. 28; S.I. 2008/17, art. 3(b)

F8Words in s. 38(5)(a) repealed (1.4.2007) by Education and Inspections Act 2006 (c. 40), s. 188(3), Sch. 14 para. 22(3)(a), Sch. 18 Pt. 5; S.I. 2007/935, art. 5(gg)(ii)

F9Words in s. 38(5)(b) repealed (1.4.2007) by Education and Inspections Act 2006 (c. 40), s. 188(3), Sch. 14 para. 22(3)(b), Sch. 18 Pt. 5; S.I. 2007/935, art. 5(gg)(ii)

F10Words in s. 38(5)(b) substituted (1.9.2005 for E., 1.9.2006 for W.) by Education Act 2005 (c. 18), s. 125(4), Sch. 9 para. 11; S.I. 2005/2034, art. 4; S.I. 2006/1338, art. 3, Sch. 1

F11Words in s. 38(5)(b) substituted (1.4.2007) by Education and Inspections Act 2006 (c. 40), s. 188(3), Sch. 14 para. 22(3)(b); S.I. 2007/935, art. 5(gg)