PART 9CO-OPERATION AND PARTNERSHIP

Co-operation

163Arrangements to promote co-operation: children

1

Section 25 of the Children Act 2004 (co-operation to improve well-being: Wales) is amended as follows.

2

After subsection (1) insert—

1A

Each local authority in Wales must also make arrangements to promote co-operation between officers of the authority who exercise its functions.

3

For subsection (2) substitute—

2

The arrangements under subsections (1) and (1A) are to be made with a view to—

a

improving the well-being of children within the authority’s area, in particular those with needs for care and support;

b

improving the quality of care and support for children provided in the authority’s area (including the outcomes that are achieved from such provision);

c

protecting children who are experiencing, or are at risk of, abuse, neglect or other kinds of harm (within the meaning of the Children Act 1989).

4

In subsection (4)—

a

after paragraph (a) insert—

aa

any other local authority in Wales with which the authority agrees that it would be appropriate to co-operate under this section;

b

in paragraph (f) for “Assembly” substitute “Welsh Ministers” and for “it is” substitute “they are”;

c

after paragraph (f) insert—

g

such a person, or a person of such description, as regulations made by the Welsh Ministers may specify.

5

After subsection (4) insert—

4A

Regulations under subsection (4)(g) may not specify a Minister of the Crown or the governor of a prison or secure training centre (or, in the case of a contracted out prison or secure training centre, its director) unless the Secretary of State consents.

6

In subsections (8) and (9) for “Assembly” substitute “Welsh Ministers”.

7

After subsection (10) insert—

11

In this section—

  • “care and support” means—

    1. a

      care;

    2. b

      support;

    3. c

      both care and support;

  • “well-being” means well-being in relation to any of the following—

    1. a

      physical and mental health and emotional well-being;

    2. b

      protection from abuse and neglect;

    3. c

      education, training and recreation;

    4. d

      domestic, family and personal relationships;

    5. e

      contribution made to society;

    6. f

      securing rights and entitlements;

    7. g

      social and economic well-being;

    8. h

      suitability of living accommodation;

    9. i

      physical, intellectual, emotional, social and behavioural development;

    and it includes “welfare” as that word is interpreted for the purposes of the Children Act 1989.

8

In consequence of the amendment made by subsection (4)(b), in section 66 of the Children Act 2004 (regulations and orders), in subsection (7), after “section” insert “25 or”.