Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968

Central Authority S

5 Powers of Secretary of State. S

(1) Local authorities shall perform their functions under this Act [F1 , Part 2 of the Children (Scotland) Act [F2 1995,] the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 (asp 1)] [F3 Part 6 (in so far as it applies to looked after children) and Parts 12 and 13 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 8)] [F4 , Parts 5, 6, 9 to 11, 13 to 16, and 18 of the Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 (asp 1)] [F5 and the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 ] under the general guidance of the Secretary of State.

[F6 (1A) Without prejudice to subsection (1) above, the Secretary of State may issue directions to local authorities, either individually or collectively, as to the manner in which they are to exercise any of their functions under this Act or any of the enactments mentioned in [F7 subsection (1B) below]; and a local authority shall comply with any direction made under this subsection.]

[F8 (1B) The enactments referred to in subsection (1A) above are—

(a) this Act as read with sections 1 and 2(1) of the M1 Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 and the M2 Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986;

(b) Part IV of the M3 Children and Young Persons (Scotland) Act 1937;

(c) section 22(2) to (5A), (7) and (8), section 26(2) to (4) and sections 43, 45, 47 and 48 of the M4 National Assistance Act 1948;

(d) the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1958;

(e) sections 10 to 12 of the M5 Matrimonial Proceedings (Children) Act 1958, and sections 11 and 12 of the M6 Guardianship Act 1973;

[F9 (f) section 51 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995;]

(g) the Children Act 1975;

(h) the Adoption Act 1976;

F10 (i) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(j) sections 21 to 23 of the M7 Health and Social Services and Social Security Adjudications Act 1983;

[F11 (k) the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 13);]

(l) the Foster Children (Scotland) Act 1984;

(m) sections 38(b) and 235 of the M8 Housing (Scotland) Act 1987;

(n) the Access to Personal Files Act 1987; F12 . . .

(o) F13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(p) Part II of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995.]

[F14 (q) the Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 4).]

[F15 (r) the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 (asp 1).]

[F16 (s) Parts 5, 6, 9 to 11, 13 to 16, and 18 of the Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011(asp 1).]

[F17 (t) Part 6 (in so far as it applies to looked after children) of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 8).]

[F18 (u) the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016.]

[F19 (1C) In subsections (1) and (1B) of this section, the references to looked after children are to be construed in accordance with section 17(6) of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995.]

[F20 (2) The Secretary of State may make regulations in relation to—

(a) the performance of the functions assigned to local authorities by this Act;

(b) the activities of voluntary organisations in so far as those activities are concerned with the like purposes;

[F21 (c) the performance of the functions of local authorities under any of the enactments mentioned in paragraphs (b), (d), (e), (g), (h), (i), (l) [F22 , (o) [F23 ,(p)] [F24 , (q) and (s)]] of subsection (1B) above]

(d) . . ..]

[F25 (3) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (2) above, regulations under this section may make such provision as is mentioned in subsection (4) of this section as regards—

(a) the boarding out of persons other than children by local authorities and voluntary organisations, whether under any enactment or otherwise; and

(b) the placing of children under paragraph (a), or the making of arrangements in respect of children under paragraph (c), of section 26(1) of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, by local authorities.

(4) The provision referred to in subsection (3) of this section is—

(a) for the recording—

(i) by local authorities and voluntary organisations, of information relating to those with whom persons are so boarded out, or who are willing to have persons so boarded out with them; and

(ii) by local authorities, of information relating to those with whom children are so placed or with whom such arrangements are made or who are willing to have children so placed with them or to enter into such arrangements;

(b) for securing that—

(i) persons are not so boarded out in any household unless it is for the time being approved by such local authority or voluntary organisation as may be prescribed by the regulations; and

(ii) children are not so placed or, in accordance with such arrangements, provided with accommodation, in any household unless it is for the time being approved by the local authority placing the child or as the case may be making the arrangements;

(c) for securing that, where possible, the person with whom a child is so placed or with whom such arrangements are made is either of the same religious persuasion as the child or gives an undertaking that the child shall be brought up in that persuasion;

(d) for securing—

(i) that a person who is, and the place in which he is, so boarded out by a local authority or voluntary organisation is supervised and inspected by that authority or organisation; and

(ii) that a child who is, and the place in which he is, so placed or, in accordance with such arrangements, provided with accommodation, by a local authority is supervised and inspected by that authority,

and that he shall be removed from the place in question if his welfare appears to require it.

(5) In subsections (3) and (4) of this section, “child” [F26 means a person who is under the age of 18.]]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 5(1) substituted (1.4.2014) by Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 (asp 1), ss. 21(a), 28(2); S.S.I. 2014/32, art. 3

F2 Words in s. 5(1) substituted (1.8.2014) by Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 8), s. 102(3), sch. 5 para. 1(a)(i); S.S.I. 2014/131, art. 2(2)(3), sch. (with art. 4)

F3 Words in s. 5(1) inserted (1.8.2014) by Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 8), s. 102(3), sch. 5 para. 1(a)(ii); S.S.I. 2014/131, art. 2(2)(3), sch. (with art. 4)

F4 Words in s. 5(1) inserted (24.6.2013) by The Children's Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 (Modification of Primary Legislation) Order 2013 (S.S.I. 2013/211), art. 1, sch. 1 para. 1(4)(a)

F5 Words in s. 5(1) inserted (1.10.2017) by Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 9), ss. 37(2), 45(2); S.S.I. 2017/152, reg. 3, sch.

F6 S. 5(1A) inserted (1.4.1991) by National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 (c. 19, SIF 113:2), s. 51

F7 Words in s. 5(1A) substituted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 39, s. 180(1), Sch. 13 para. 76(3)(a); S.I. 1996/323, art. 4(1)(b)(c)

F8 S. 5(1B) added (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 39, s. 180(1), Sch. 13 para. 76(3)(b); S.I. 1996/323, art. 4(1)(b)(c)

F9 S. 5(1B)(f) substituted (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 40, ss. 5, 7(2), Sch. 4 para. 6(2)

F10 S. 5(1B)(i) repealed (28.9.2009) by Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 4), s. 121(2), sch. 3; S.S.I. 2009/267, arts. 1(2), 2 (with arts. 3-21) (as amended (7.5.2012) by S.S.I. 2012/99, art. 2)

F11 S. 5(1B)(k) substituted (5.10.2005) by Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 13), s. 333(2), sch. 4 para. 1(3); S.S.I. 2005/161, art. 3 (as substituted (1.7.2005) by S.S.I. 2005/375, art. 2 and as amended (22.9.2005) by S.S.I. 2005/459, art. 2)

F12 Word in s. 5(1B) before para. (o) repealed (12.12.1996 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.4.1997) by 1995 c. 36, s. 105(4), Sch. 4 para. 15(4)(b)(i), Sch. 5 (with s. 103(1)); S.I. 1996/3201, art. 3(6)(7) (which said art. 3(7) was substituted (7.3.1997) by S.I. 1997/744, art. 2 (with transitional provisions inserted into S.I. 1996/3201 by art. 3)) and said word expressed to be repealed (1.4.2002) by 2001 asp 8, s. 80(1), Sch. 4; S.S.I. 2002/162, art. 2 (subject to arts. 3-13)

F13 S. 5(1B)(o) repealed (1.4.2002) by 2001 asp 8, s. 80(1), Sch. 4; S.S.I. 2002/162, art. 2 (subject to arts. 3-13)

F14 S. 5(1B)(q) inserted (28.9.2009) by Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 4), s. 121(2), sch. 2 para. 2(2)(a); S.S.I. 2009/267, arts. 1(2), 2 (with arts. 3-21) (as amended (7.5.2012) by S.S.I. 2012/99, art. 2)

F15 S. 5(1B)(r) added (1.4.2014) by Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 (asp 1), ss. 21(b), 28(2); S.S.I. 2014/32, art. 3

F16 S. 5(1B)(s) added (24.6.2013) by The Children's Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 (Modification of Primary Legislation) Order 2013 (S.S.I. 2013/211), art. 1, sch. 1 para. 1(4)(b)

F17 S. 5(1B)(t) inserted (1.8.2014) by Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 8), s. 102(3), sch. 5 para. 1(b); S.S.I. 2014/131, art. 2(2)(3), sch.

F18 S. 5(1B)(u) inserted (1.10.2017) by Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 9), ss. 37(3), 45(2); S.S.I. 2017/152, reg. 3, sch.

F19 S. 5(1C) inserted (1.8.2014) by Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 8), s. 102(3), sch. 5 para. 1(c); S.S.I. 2014/131, art. 2(2)(3), sch.

F20 S. 5(2) substituted by Children Act 1975 (c. 72, SIF 49:9, 10), Sch. 3 para. 49

F21 S. 5(2)(c) substituted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 39, s. 180(1), Sch. 13 para. 76(3)(c); S.I. 1996/323, art. 4(1)(b)(c)

F22 Words in s. 5(2)(c) substituted (12.12.1996 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.4.1997) by 1995 c. 36, s. 105(4), Sch. 4 para. 15(4)(c) (with s. 103(1)); S.I. 1996/3201, art. 3(6)(7) (which said art. 3(7) was substituted (7.3.1997) by S.I. 1997/744, art. 2 (with transitional provisions inserted into S.I. 1996/3201 by art. 3))

F23 Words in s. 5(2)(c) substituted (28.9.2009) by Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 4), s. 121(2), sch. 2 para. 2(2)(b); S.S.I. 2009/267, arts. 1(2), 2 (with arts. 3-21) (as amended (7.5.2012) by S.S.I. 2012/99, art. 2)

F24 Words in s. 5(2)(c) substituted (24.6.2013) by The Children's Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 (Modification of Primary Legislation) Order 2013 (S.S.I. 2013/211), art. 1, sch. 1 para. 1(4)(c)

F25 S. 5(3)-(5) substituted (12.12.1996 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.4.1997) for s. 5(3) by 1995 c. 36, s. 105(4), Sch. 4 para. 15(4)(d) (with s. 103(1)); S.I. 1996/3201, art. 3(6)(7) (which said art. 3(7) was substituted (7.3.1997) by S.I. 1997/744, art. 2 (with transitional provisions inserted into S.I. 1996/3201 by art. 3))

F26 Words in s. 5(5) substituted (28.9.2009) by Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 4), s. 121(2), sch. 2 para. 2(2)(c); S.S.I. 2009/267, arts. 1(2), 2 (with arts. 3-21) (as amended (7.5.2012) by S.S.I. 2012/99, art. 2)

Marginal Citations

M1 1970 c. 44.

M2 1986 c. 33.

M3 1937 c. 37.

M4 1948 c. 29.

M5 1958 c. 40.

M6 1973 c. 29.

M7 1983 c. 41.

M8 1987 c. 26.

F27 5A Local authority plans for community care services. S

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F27 S. 5A repealed (1.4.2015) by Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 9), ss. 71(1), 72(2); S.S.I. 2014/231, art. 3

F28 5B Complaints procedure. S

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F28 S. 5B repealed (1.4.2017) by The Public Services Reform (Social Work Complaints Procedure) (Scotland) Order 2016 (S.S.I. 2016/157), arts. 1, 6(1) (with art. 6(3)(4))

F29 6 Supervision of establishments providing accommodation for persons and inspection of records etc. S

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F29 S. 6 repealed (23.2.2006) by Joint Inspection of Childrens Services and Inspection of Social Work Services (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 3), ss. 8(4)(a), 10(2)

[F30 6A Inquiries. S

[F31 (1) Without prejudice to section 6B(1) of this Act, the Secretary of State may cause an inquiry to be held into—

(a) the functions of a local authority under this Act or any of the enactments mentioned in section 5(1B) of this Act;

(b) the functions of an adoption society, within the meaning of [F32 section 119(1) of the Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 4)];

(c) F33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d) the detention of a child under—

(i) section 57 of the M9 Children and Young Persons (Scotland) Act 1937; or

[F34 (ii) section 44 [F35 , 205ZC(5)] or 208 of the M10 Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995;] F36 ...

(e) the functions of the Principal Reporter under [F37 the Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 (asp 1)] or any other enactment][F38 ; or

(f) the functions conferred on the National Convener of Children’s Hearings Scotland by virtue of the Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 (asp 1)].

(2) The Secretary of State may, before an inquiry is commenced, direct that it shall be held in private, but where no such direction has been given the person holding the inquiry may if he thinks fit hold it or any part of it in private.

(3) Subsections (2) to (8) of section 210 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act M11 1973 (powers in relation to local inquiries) shall apply in relation to an inquiry under this section as they apply in relation to a local inquiry under that section.]

Textual Amendments

F30 S. 6A inserted (1.4.1991) by National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 (c. 19, SIF 113:2), s. 54

F31 S. 6A(1) substituted (12.12.1996 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.4.1997) by 1995 c. 36, s. 105(4), Sch. 4 para. 15(7) (with s. 103(1)); S.I. 1996/3201, art. 3(6)(7) (which said art. 3(7) was substituted (7.3.1997) by S.I. 1997/744, art. 2 (with transitional provisions inserted into S.I. 1996/3201 by art. 3))

F32 Words in s. 6A(1)(b) substituted (28.9.2009) by Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 4), s. 121(2), sch. 2 para. 2(3); S.S.I. 2009/267, arts. 1(2), 2 (with arts. 3-21) (as amended (7.5.2012) by S.S.I. 2012/99, art. 2)

F33 S. 6A(1)(c) repealed (1.4.2002) by 2001 asp 8, s. 80(1)(2), Sch. 4; S.S.I. 2002/162, art. 2 (with arts. 3-13)

F34 S. 6A(1)(d)(ii) substituted (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 40, ss. 5, 7(2), Sch. 4 para. 6(3)

F35 Word in s. 6A(1)(d) inserted (30.4.2021) by Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 (c. 11), s. 50(1)(i), Sch. 13 para. 47

F36 Word in s. 6A(1) inserted (18.4.2011) by Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 (Consequential Provision) and Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc. (Scotland) Act 2003 (Amendment of Specified Authorities) Order 2011 (S.S.I. 2011/186), arts. 1, 2(a)

F37 Words in s. 6A(1)(e) substituted (24.6.2013) by The Children's Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 (Modification of Primary Legislation) Order 2013 (S.S.I. 2013/211), art. 1, sch. 1 para. 1(5)

F38 S. 6A(1)(f) and words inserted (18.4.2011) by Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 (Consequential Provision) and Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc. (Scotland) Act 2003 (Amendment of Specified Authorities) Order 2011 (S.S.I. 2011/186), arts. 1, 2(b)

Marginal Citations

M9 1937 c.37.

M10 1995 c.40.

M11 1973 c. 65 (81:2).

F39 [ 6B Local authority inquiries into matters affecting children. S

(1) Without prejudice to section 6A(1) of this Act, a local authority may cause an inquiry to be held into their functions under this Act, or any of the enactments mentioned in section 5(1B) of this Act, in so far as those functions relate to children.

[F40 (1A) Where a function mentioned in subsection (1) is delegated by a local authority to a person in pursuance of an integration scheme prepared under section 1 or 2 of the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014, this section applies to that person as it applies to a local authority (but subject to the modification in subsection 1B).

(1B) The modification is that the reference in subsection (3) to an officer of the local authority must be construed as if it were a reference to a member of staff of the person to whom the function is delegated.]

(2) The local authority may, before an inquiry under this section is commenced, direct that it be held in private; but where no such direction is given, the person holding the inquiry may if he thinks fit hold it, or any part of it, in private.

(3) Subsections (2) to (6) of section 210 of the M12 Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (powers in relation to local inquiries) shall apply in relation to an inquiry under this section as they apply in relation to a local inquiry under that section, so however that, for the purposes of the application, any reference in those subsections to a Minister shall be construed as a reference to the local authority and any reference to an officer of his Department as a reference to an officer of that authority.

(4) The expenses incurred by a local authority in relation to an inquiry under this section (including such reasonable sum as the authority may determine for the services of any of their officers engaged in the inquiry) shall, unless the authority are of the opinion that those expenses should be defrayed in whole or in part by them, be paid by such party to the inquiry as they may direct; and the authority may certify the amount of the expenses so incurred.

(5) Any sum certified under subsection (4) above and to be defrayed in accordance with a direction under that subsection shall be a debt due by the party directed and shall be recoverable accordingly.

(6) The local authority may make an award as to the expenses of the parties at the inquiry and as to the parties by whom such expenses shall be paid.]

Textual Amendments

F39 S. 6B inserted (1.4.1997) by 1995 c. 36, s. 100 (with s. 103(1)); S.I. 1996/3201, art. 3(7) (which said art. 3(7) was substituted (7.3.1997) by S.I. 1997/744, art. 2 (with transitional provisions inserted into S.I. 1996/3201 by art. 3))

F40 S. 6B(1A)(1B) inserted (1.4.2015) by The Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 (Consequential Modifications and Saving) Order 2015 (S.S.I. 2015/157), art. 1(1), sch. para. 1(2)

Marginal Citations

M12 1973 c.45.

7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F41 S

Textual Amendments

F41 S. 7 repealed by Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1981 (c. 23, SIF 81:2), Sch. 4