The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995

Article 18(2).

SCHEDULE 2PROVISION OF SERVICES FOR FAMILIES: SPECIFIC POWERS AND DUTIES

Identification of children in need

1.  Every authority shall take reasonable steps to identify the extent to which there are children in need within the authority’s area.

Provision of information

2.—(1) Every authority shall publish information—

(a)about services provided by the authority under Articles 18, 19, 21, 35 and 36; and

(b)where the authority considers it appropriate, about the provision by others (including, in particular, voluntary organisations) of services which the authority has power to provide under those Articles.

(2) Every authority shall take such steps as are reasonably practicable to ensure that those who might benefit from the services receive the information relevant to them.

Maintenance of register of disabled children

3.—(1) Every authority shall open and maintain a register of disabled children within the authority’s area.

(2) The register may be kept by means of a computer.

Assessment of children’s needs

4.  Where it appears to an authority that a child within the authority’s area is in need, the authority may assess his needs for the purposes of this Order at the same time as any assessment of his needs is made under—

(a)the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons (Northern Ireland) Act 1978(1);

(b)the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986(2);

(c)the Disabled Persons (Northern Ireland) Act 1989(3); or

(d)any other statutory provision.

Prevention of neglect and abuse

5.—(1) Every authority shall take reasonable steps, through the provision of services under Part IV, to prevent children within the authority’s area suffering ill-treatment or neglect.

(2) Where an authority believes that a child who is at any time within the authority’s area—

(a)is likely to suffer harm; but

(b)lives or proposes to live in the area of another authority,

the authority shall inform that other authority.

(3) When informing that other authority the authority shall specify—

(a)the harm that it believes the child is likely to suffer; and

(b)(if it can) where the child lives or proposes to live.

Provision of accommodation for another person to protect child

6.—(1) Where—

(a)it appears to an authority that a child who is living on particular premises is suffering, or is likely to suffer, ill-treatment at the hands of another person who is living on those premises; and

(b)that other person proposes to move from the premises,

the authority may assist that other person to obtain alternative accommodation.

(2) Assistance given under this paragraph may be in cash.

(3) Paragraphs (7) to (9) of Article 18 shall apply in relation to assistance given under this paragraph as they apply in relation to assistance given under that Article.

Services for disabled children

7.  Every authority shall provide services designed—

(a)to minimise the effect on disabled children within the authority’s area of their disabilities; and

(b)to give such children the opportunity to lead lives which are as normal as possible.

Steps to reduce need for care proceedings, etc.

8.  Every authority shall take reasonable steps designed—

(a)to reduce the need to bring—

(i)proceedings for care or supervision orders with respect to children within the authority’s area;

(ii)criminal proceedings against such children;

(iii)any family or other proceedings with respect to such children which might lead to them being placed in the authority’s care; or

(iv)proceedings under the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court with respect to children;

(b)to encourage children within the authority’s area not to commit criminal offences; and

(c)to avoid the need for children within the authority’s area to be placed in secure accommodation.

Provision for children living with their families

9.  Every authority shall make such provision as the authority considers appropriate for the following services to be available with respect to children in need within the authority’s area while they are living with their families—

(a)advice, guidance and counselling;

(b)occupational, social, cultural or recreational activities;

(c)home help (which may include laundry facilities);

(d)facilities for, or assistance with, travelling to and from home for the purpose of taking advantage of any other service provided under this Order or of any similar service;

(e)assistance to enable the child concerned and his family to have a holiday.

Family centres

10.—(1) Every authority shall provide such family centres as the authority considers appropriate in relation to children within its area.

(2) “Family centre” means a centre at which any of the persons mentioned in sub-paragraph (3) may—

(a)attend for occupational, social, cultural or recreational activities;

(b)attend for advice, guidance or counselling; or

(c)be provided with accommodation while he is receiving advice, guidance or counselling.

(3) The persons are—

(a)a child;

(b)his parents;

(c)any person who is not a parent of his but who has parental responsibility for him;

(d)any other person who is looking after him.

Maintenance of the family home

11.  Every authority shall take such steps as are reasonably practicable, where any child within the authority’s area who is in need and whom the authority is not looking after is living apart from his family—

(a)to enable him to live with his family; or

(b)to promote contact between him and his family,

if, in the opinion of the authority, it is necessary to do so in order to safeguard or promote his welfare.

Duty to consider racial groups to which children in need belong

12.  Every authority shall, in making any arrangements—

(a)for the provision of day care within the authority’s area; or

(b)designed to encourage persons to act as authority foster parents,

have regard to the different racial groups to which children within the authority’s area who are in need belong.