Where an application is made on which a care order might be made with respect to a child, the appropriate local authority must, within such time as the court may direct, prepare a plan (“a care plan”) for the future care of the child.

While the application is pending, the authority must keep any care plan prepared by them under review and, if they are of the opinion some change is required, revise the plan, or make a new plan, accordingly.

A care plan must give any prescribed information and do so in the prescribed manner.

For the purposes of this section, the appropriate local authority, in relation to a child in respect of whom a care order might be made, is the local authority proposed to be designated in the order.

In section 31(3A) and this section, references to a care order do not include an interim care order.

A plan prepared, or treated as prepared, under this section is referred to in this Act as a “section 31A plan”.