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—
- a
care;
- b
support;
- c
both care and support;
“well-being” means well-being in relation to any of the following—
- a
physical and mental health and emotional well-being;
- b
protection from abuse and neglect;
- c
education, training and recreation;
- d
domestic, family and personal relationships;
- e
contribution made to society;
- f
securing rights and entitlements;
- g
social and economic well-being;
- h
suitability of living accommodation;
- 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”.