1 Further duties of local authorities towards children whom they are looking after.
“ Preparation for ceasing to be looked after
19A
It is the duty of the local authority looking after a child to advise, assist and befriend him with a view to promoting his welfare when they have ceased to look after him.
19B
(1)
A local authority shall have the following additional functions in relation to an eligible child whom they are looking after.
(2)
In sub-paragraph (1) “eligible child” means, subject to sub-paragraph (3), a child who—
(a)
is aged sixteen or seventeen; and
(b)
has been looked after by a local authority for a prescribed period, or periods amounting in all to a prescribed period, which began after he reached a prescribed age and ended after he reached the age of sixteen.
(3)
The Secretary of State may prescribe—
(a)
additional categories of eligible children; and
(b)
categories of children who are not to be eligible children despite falling within sub-paragraph (2).
(4)
For each eligible child, the local authority shall carry out an assessment of his needs with a view to determining what advice, assistance and support it would be appropriate for them to provide him under this Act—
(a)
while they are still looking after him; and
(b)
after they cease to look after him,
and shall then prepare a pathway plan for him.
(5)
The local authority shall keep the pathway plan under regular review.
(6)
Any such review may be carried out at the same time as a review of the child’s case carried out by virtue of section 26.
(7)
The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision as to assessments for the purposes of sub-paragraph (4).
(8)
The regulations may in particular provide for the matters set out in section 23B(6).
Personal advisers
19C
A local authority shall arrange for each child whom they are looking after who is an eligible child for the purposes of paragraph 19B to have a personal adviser.”.