(1)Where a child is provided with accommodation by any [F1[F2Local Health Board] , Special Health Authority,][F3Primary Care Trust,][F4National Health Service trust][F5or NHS foundation trust or by a local authority in the exercise of education functions] (“the accommodating authority”)—
(a)for a consecutive period of at least three months; or
(b)with the intention, on the part of that authority, of accommodating him for such a period,
the accommodating authority shall notify [F6the appropriate officer of] the responsible authority.
(2)Where subsection (1) applies with respect to a child, the accommodating authority shall also notify [F7the appropriate officer of] the responsible authority when they cease to accommodate the child.
[F8(2A)In a case where the child is provided with accommodation by a local authority in the exercise of education functions, subsections (1) and (2) apply only if the local authority providing the accommodation is different from the responsible authority.]
(3)In this section “the responsible authority” means—
(a)the local authority appearing to the accommodating authority to be the authority within whose area the child was ordinarily resident immediately before being accommodated; or
(b)where it appears to the accommodating authority that a child was not ordinarily resident within the area of any local authority, the local authority within whose area the accommodation is situated.
[F9(3A) In this section and sections 86 and 86A “ the appropriate officer ” means—
(a)in relation to a local authority in England, their director of children's services; and
(b)in relation to a local authority in Wales, their lead director for children and young people's services.]
(4)Where [F10the appropriate officer of a local authority has] been notified under this section, [F11the local authority] shall—
(a)take such steps as are reasonably practicable to enable them to determine whether the child’s welfare is adequately safeguarded and promoted while he is accommodated by the accommodating authority; and
(b)consider the extent to which (if at all) they should exercise any of their functions under this Act with respect to the child.
[F12(5)For the purposes of subsection (4)(b), if the child is not in the area of the local authority, they must treat him as if he were in that area.]
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 85(1) substituted(1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 17, s. 2(1)(3), Sch. 1 Pt. III, para. 118(9)(with Sch. 2 para. 6)
F2Words in s. 85(1) substituted (1.4.2007) by The References to Health Authorities Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/961), arts. 2, 3, Sch. para. 20(2)(h)
F3Words in s. 85(1) inserted (8.2.2000) by S.I. 2000/90, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 para. 24(9) (with art. 2(5))
F4Words inserted by National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 (c. 19, SIF 113:2), s. 66(1), Sch. 9 para. 36(5)
F5Words in s. 85(1) substituted (5.5.2010) by The Local Education Authorities and Children's Services Authorities (Integration of Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1158), arts. 1, 5(1), Sch. 2 para. 37(10)(a)
F6Words in s. 85(1) inserted (1.4.2011) by Children and Young Persons Act 2008 (c. 23), ss. 17(2), 44; S.I. 2010/2981, art. 2(a)
F7Words in s. 85(2) inserted (1.4.2011) by Children and Young Persons Act 2008 (c. 23), ss. 17(2), 44; S.I. 2010/2981, art. 2(a)
F8S. 85(2A) inserted (5.5.2010) by The Local Education Authorities and Children's Services Authorities (Integration of Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1158), arts. 1, 5(1), Sch. 2 para. 37(10)(b)
F9S. 85(3A) inserted (1.4.2011) by Children and Young Persons Act 2008 (c. 23), ss. 17(3), 44; S.I. 2010/2981, art. 2(a)
F10Words in s. 85(4) substituted (1.4.2011) by Children and Young Persons Act 2008 (c. 23), ss. 17(4)(a), 44; S.I. 2010/2981, art. 2(a)
F11Words in s. 85(4) substituted (1.4.2011) by Children and Young Persons Act 2008 (c. 23), ss. 17(4)(b), 44; S.I. 2010/2981, art. 2(a)
F12S. 85(5) added (1.4.2011) by Children and Young Persons Act 2008 (c. 23), ss. 17(5), 44; S.I. 2010/2981, art. 2(a)
Commencement Information
I1S. 85 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)