PART 6LOOKED AFTER AND ACCOMMODATED CHILDREN
Accommodation duties
75General duty of local authority to secure sufficient accommodation for looked after children
1
A local authority must take steps that secure, so far as reasonably practicable, that the local authority is able to provide the children mentioned in subsection (2) with accommodation that—
a
is within the authority’s area, and
b
meets the needs of those children.
2
The children referred to in subsection (1) are those—
a
that the local authority is looking after,
b
in respect of whom the authority is unable to make arrangements under section 81(2), and
c
whose circumstances are such that it would be consistent with their well-being for them to be provided with accommodation that is in the authority’s area.
3
In discharging its duty under subsection (1), the local authority must have regard to the benefit of having—
a
a number of accommodation providers in its area that is, in the authority’s opinion, sufficient to discharge its duty, and
b
a range of accommodation in its area capable of meeting different needs that is, in its opinion, sufficient to discharge its duty.
4
In this section “accommodation providers” means—
a
local authority foster parents, and
b
children’s homes.