Citation

1.  This Order may be cited as the Children Leaving Care (2002 Act) (Commencement No. 1) Order (Northern Ireland) 2005.

Appointed Day

2.—(1) Subject to para 2 the 1st September 2005 is the day appointed for the coming into operation of sections 1 to 5 and 7 of the Children (Leaving Care) Act (Northern Ireland) 2002.

(2) 25th April 2005 is the day appointed for the coming into operation of sections 1 to 5 of the Children (Leaving Care) Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 only for the purposes of making regulations.

Transitional Provision

3.  Where a child who becomes a former relevant child on or before 1st December 2005 does not already have a pathway plan, the authority shall (as the circumstances require) assess his needs and prepare a pathway plan for him in accordance with the regulations to be made under sections 1 to 5 of the Children (Leaving Care) Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 as if he were (as the case may be) still an eligible child or a relevant child.

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order.)

This Order brings into operation sections 1-5 and 7 of the Children (Leaving Care) Act (Northern Ireland) 2002, (“the 2002 Act”) on 1st September 2005. These provisions amend the Children (Northern Ireland) Order (S.I. 1995/755 (N.I. 2)) as regards the arrangements to be made for the care and support of children who are, or have been looked after by Health and Social Services Trusts.

25th April 2005 is the date of the coming into operation of sections 1-5 of the 2002 Act only for the purposes of making regulations under those provisions.

Article 3 includes transitional provision for those children who become “former relevant” children up until 1st December 2005.