26AAdvocacy services

1

Every local authority shall make arrangements for the provision of assistance to—

a

persons who make or intend to make representations under section 24D; and

b

children who make or intend to make representations under section 26.

2

The assistance provided under the arrangements shall include assistance by way of representation.

3

The arrangements—

a

shall secure that a person may not provide assistance if he is a person who is prevented from doing so by regulations made by the Secretary of State; and

b

shall comply with any other provision made by the regulations in relation to the arrangements.

4

The Secretary of State may make regulations requiring local authorities to monitor the steps that they have taken with a view to ensuring that they comply with regulations made for the purposes of subsection (3).

5

Every local authority shall give such publicity to their arrangements for the provision of assistance under this section as they consider appropriate.