Children Act 1989

Valid from 01/09/2009

[F1 Visiting E+W

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 23ZA and cross-heading inserted (1.9.2009 and 15.11.2010 for certain purposes for E., 26.4.2010 for certain purposes for W., 28.3.2011 for W. otherwise, 1.4.2011 for E. otherwise) by Children and Young Persons Act 2008 (c. 23), ss. 15, 44; S.I. 2009/2273, art. 2(2)(d); S.I. 2010/1326, art. 2(d); S.I. 2010/2714, art. 2(d); S.I. 2010/2981, art. 4(d) (with art. 5); S.I. 2011/949, art. 3(1)(a)

23ZA Duty of local authority to ensure visits to, and contact with, looked after children and others E+W

(1) This section applies to—

(a) a child looked after by a local authority;

(b) a child who was looked after by a local authority but who has ceased to be looked after by them as a result of prescribed circumstances.

(2) It is the duty of the local authority—

(a) to ensure that a person to whom this section applies is visited by a representative of the authority (“a representative”);

(b) to arrange for appropriate advice, support and assistance to be available to a person to whom this section applies who seeks it from them.

(3) The duties imposed by subsection (2)—

(a) are to be discharged in accordance with any regulations made for the purposes of this section by the appropriate national authority;

(b) are subject to any requirement imposed by or under an enactment applicable to the place in which the person to whom this section applies is accommodated.

(4) Regulations under this section for the purposes of subsection (3)(a) may make provision about—

(a) the frequency of visits;

(b) circumstances in which a person to whom this section applies must be visited by a representative; and

(c) the functions of a representative.

(5) 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.

[F2 23ZB Independent visitors for children looked after by a local authority E+W

(1) A local authority looking after a child must appoint an independent person to be the child's visitor if—

(a) the child falls within a description prescribed in regulations made by the appropriate national authority; or

(b) in any other case, it appears to them that it would be in the child's interests to do so.

(2) A person appointed under this section must visit, befriend and advise the child.

(3) A person appointed under this section is entitled to recover from the appointing authority any reasonable expenses incurred by that person for the purposes of that person's functions under this section.

(4) A person's appointment as a visitor in pursuance of this section comes to an end if—

(a) the child ceases to be looked after by the local authority;

(b) the person resigns the appointment by giving notice in writing to the appointing authority; or

(c) the authority give him notice in writing that they have terminated it.

(5) The ending of such an appointment does not affect any duty under this section to make a further appointment.

(6) Where a local authority propose to appoint a visitor for a child under this section, the appointment shall not be made if—

(a) the child objects to it; and

(b) the authority are satisfied that the child has sufficient understanding to make an informed decision.

(7) Where a visitor has been appointed for a child under this section, the local authority shall terminate the appointment if—

(a) the child objects to its continuing; and

(b) the authority are satisfied that the child has sufficient understanding to make an informed decision.

(8) If the local authority give effect to a child's objection under subsection (6) or (7) and the objection is to having anyone as the child's visitor, the authority does not have to propose to appoint another person under subsection (1) until the objection is withdrawn.

(9) The appropriate national authority may make regulations as to the circumstances in which a person is to be regarded for the purposes of this section as independent of the appointing authority.]]

Textual Amendments

F2 S. 23ZB inserted (1.9.2009 for E. for certain purposes, 26.4.2010 for W. for certain purposes, 1.4.2011 otherwise for E. and otherwise prosp.) by Children and Young Persons Act 2008 (c. 23), ss. 16(1), 44; S.I. 2009/2273, art. 2(2)(e); S.I. 2010/1329, art. 2(e); S.I. 2010/2981, art. 4(e)