Children and Families Act 2014

112 Business plans E+W

After section 7A of the Children Act 2004 (as inserted by section 111) insert—

“7B Business plans

(1) The Children's Commissioner must publish a business plan which sets out, in relation to the discharge of the Commissioner's functions—

(a) the Commissioner's proposed main activities for the period covered by the plan (including the matters he or she intends to consider or investigate), and

(b) the Commissioner's proposed strategic priorities for that period.

(2) A business plan must cover a period of at least 12 months beginning with the date of publication.

(3) The Commissioner must publish a new business plan before the end of the period covered by the preceding business plan.

(4) Before publishing a business plan under this section, the Children's Commissioner must—

(a) take reasonable steps to consult children,

(b) consult persons who (taken together) represent a broad range of interests which are relevant to the Children's Commissioner's functions, and

(c) consult such other persons as the Commissioner thinks appropriate.

(5) The Children's Commissioner must for the purposes of subsection (4)(a) have particular regard to children who are within section 8A (children living away from home or receiving social care) and other groups of children who the Commissioner considers do not have adequate means by which they can make their views known.”