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Education and Skills Act 2008

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Education and Skills Act 2008, Part 2 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 29 March 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

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Part 2E+WSupport for participation in education or training: young adults with learning difficulties and young people in England

Provision of support servicesE+W

68Support services: provision by [F1local authorities] E+W

(1)A [F1local authority] in England must make available to young persons and relevant young adults for whom it is responsible such services as it considers appropriate to encourage, enable or assist the effective participation of those persons in education or training.

F2(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)For the purposes of this section F3... , a [F1local authority] makes services available if it—

(a)provides them, or

(b)makes arrangements with another [F1local authority] or another person for their provision.

(4)In carrying out its functions under this section, a [F1local authority] must—

F4(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b)have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.

(5)Nothing in this section requires a [F1local authority] to make services available to a young person or relevant young adult for whom it is responsible if—

(a)another [F1local authority] in England is also responsible for the person, and

(b)services are being provided to the person by, or under arrangements made by, the other authority in exercise of its functions under subsection (1).

Textual Amendments

F2S. 68(2) omitted (1.9.2012) by virtue of Education Act 2011 (c. 21), ss. 28(3)(a)(i), 82(3); S.I. 2012/1087, art. 3

F3Words in s. 68(3) omitted (1.9.2012) by virtue of Education Act 2011 (c. 21), ss. 28(3)(a)(ii), 82(3); S.I. 2012/1087, art. 3

F4S. 68(4)(a) omitted (1.9.2012) by virtue of Education Act 2011 (c. 21), ss. 28(3)(a)(iii), 82(3); S.I. 2012/1087, art. 3

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I1S. 68 in force at 26.1.2009 by S.I. 2008/3077, art. 4(a)

F569DirectionsE+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

70[F1local authorities]: supplementary powersE+W

(1)A [F1local authority] in England—

(a)may provide, secure the provision of or participate in the provision of services under arrangements entered into by it with another [F1local authority] in pursuance of any function of that other [F1local authority] under section 68, and

(b)may provide, secure the provision of or participate in the provision of services for encouraging, enabling or assisting the effective participation in education or training of—

(i)young persons, or

(ii)relevant young adults,

(including such persons from other areas) otherwise than in accordance with section 68 or paragraph (a).

(2)Nothing in or done under section 68 F6... or this section is to be taken to prejudice any powers which a [F1local authority] has with respect to the exercise of its functions otherwise than under those sections.

71Provision of support on conditional basis: learning and support agreementsE+W

(1)Services provided for young persons in pursuance of section 68 or 70(1)(b) may include the provision of support on a conditional basis.

(2)For the purposes of this section—

(a)support” provided for a person means any form of support and includes, in particular—

(i)support in the form of medical or social care, including care provided otherwise than to that person,

(ii)support in the form of incentives, including allowances and payments, and

(iii)other financial assistance;

(b)support is provided for a young person on a conditional basis if it is provided under arrangements (a “learning and support agreement”) under which its provision is subject to the young person's agreement to fulfil conditions (“learning and support conditions”).

(3)Subsections (4) to (6) apply where support is provided for a young person on a conditional basis by virtue of subsection (1).

(4)The learning and support agreement must include provision (whether or not in the form of a learning and support condition) relating to the young person's participation in education or training.

(5)The person providing the support (the “service provider”) must consider that providing it on a conditional basis would be desirable in the interests of encouraging, enabling or assisting the young person—

(a)to fulfil the duty imposed by section 2, in a case where the young person is a person to whom Part 1 applies, or

(b)in any case, to participate effectively in education or training.

(6)The learning and support conditions must be conditions—

(a)determined in consultation between the service provider and the young person, having regard to an assessment of the young person's needs conducted by the service provider and the young person for the purposes of this section, and

(b)to which in the course of that consultation the young person has agreed;

and the service provider must make arrangements for the learning and support conditions to be reviewed periodically.

(7)Learning and support agreements made by virtue of subsection (1) do not create any obligations in respect of whose breach any liability arises in contract or in tort.

(8)Subsection (1) is subject to section [F768(4)].

Textual Amendments

F7Word in s. 71(8) substituted (1.9.2012) by Education Act 2011 (c. 21), ss. 28(3)(c), 82(3); S.I. 2012/1087, art. 3

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I3S. 71 in force at 26.1.2009 by S.I. 2008/3077, art. 4(a)

72Educational institutions: duty to provide informationE+W

(1)Relevant information about a pupil or student who is attending an educational institution in England must be provided by the responsible person to a person involved in the provision of services in pursuance of section 68 or 70(1)(b), on a request by that person.

(2)A request under subsection (1) by a person involved in the provision of services in pursuance of 68 or 70(1)(b) may be made only for the purposes of the provision of those services.

(3)In subsection (1), “relevant information” means—

(a)the name, address and date of birth of the pupil or student;

(b)the name and address of a parent of the pupil or student;

(c)information in the institution's possession about the pupil or student.

(4)Information within subsection (3)(c) must not be provided under subsection (1) if—

(a)the pupil or student concerned, in the case of a pupil or student who has attained the age of 16, or

(b)a parent of the pupil or student concerned, in the case of a pupil or student who has not attained the age of 16,

has instructed the responsible person not to provide information of that kind under this section.

(5)In this section—

  • educational institution” means—

    (a)

    a community, foundation or voluntary school,

    (b)

    a community or foundation special school,

    (c)

    a city technology college, a city college for the technology of the arts or an Academy,

    (d)

    a pupil referral unit,

    (e)

    an institution within the further education sector, or

    (f)

    an institution [F8(other than one within any of paragraphs (a) to (e)) in receipt of funding from a local authority, [F9or the Secretary of State]];

  • responsible person” means—

    (a)

    in relation to a school within paragraph (a) or (b) of the definition of “educational institution”, the governing body;

    (b)

    in relation to an institution within paragraph (c) or (f) of that definition, the proprietor;

    (c)

    in relation to a pupil referral unit, the [F1local authority] by which it is maintained;

    (d)

    in relation to an institution within the further education sector, the governing body within the meaning given by section 90 of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 (c. 13).

F1073Educational institutions: access and facilitiesE+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

74Internet and telephone support services etcE+W

(1)The Secretary of State may provide or secure the provision of services for encouraging, enabling or assisting the effective participation of young persons and relevant young adults in England in education or training.

(2)The services which may be provided under subsection (1) are services provided by means of—

(a)the publication whether electronically or otherwise of information, advice and guidance;

(b)the provision, in response to requests by young persons and relevant young adults, of information, advice or guidance to those persons by telephone or other electronic means.

(3)In securing the provision of those services the Secretary of State may, in particular, make arrangements with other persons for the provision of services.

(4)Arrangements under subsection (3) may include provision—

(a)for grants, loans and other kinds of financial assistance to be provided by the Secretary of State (whether or not on conditions);

(b)requiring persons with whom arrangements are made to have regard to guidance issued by the Secretary of State.

(5)For the purposes of this section, a young person or relevant young adult is in England if he or she is a person for whom a [F1local authority] in England is responsible.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I5S. 74 in force at 26.1.2009 by S.I. 2008/3077, art. 4(a)

75InspectionE+W

(1)Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills—

(a)must, when requested to do so by the Secretary of State, inspect and report on the provision of services in pursuance of section 68 or 74, and

(b)may undertake such other inspections of the provision of those services as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector thinks fit.

(2)A request under subsection (1)(a)—

(a)may be in general terms or in relation to specific matters,

(b)may relate to a specific person providing services, or to a specific class of person, and

(c)may relate to a specific area.

(3)A reference in subsection (1) to the provision of services includes a reference to the management and use of resources in providing services.

(4)Subsections (5) to (7) apply to an inspection under subsection (1) of services provided by a person in pursuance of section 68 or 74.

(5)A person carrying out or participating in the inspection has the same powers as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector has under the following provisions of the Education Act 2005 (c. 18)—

(a)section 10(1)(a) and (d) (right of access), and

(b)section 58 (computer records).

(6)Section 11 of the Education Act 2005 (publication of inspection reports) applies.

(7)A person who wilfully obstructs a person in carrying out or participating in the inspection—

(a)is guilty of an offence, and

(b)is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I6S. 75 in force at 26.1.2009 by S.I. 2008/3077, art. 4(a)

76Supply of social security information relating to young personsE+W

F11(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2)In this section “social security information” means personal information about a young person which is held for the purposes of functions relating to social security—

(a)by the Secretary of State, or

(b)by a person providing services to the Secretary of State in connection with the provision of those services.

[F12(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), “ personal information ” in relation to a young person, means the person's name, address and date of birth.

(3A)The Secretary of State may make arrangements with a person for the supply of social security information for the purposes of the provision of services for young persons in pursuance of section 68 or 70(1)(b).

(3B)Social security information may be supplied to—

(a)the Secretary of State, or

(b)a person providing services to the Secretary of State under subsection (3A).

(3C)A person to whom social security information is supplied under subsection (3B) may supply the information to a [local authority] or other person involved in the provision of services for young persons or relevant young adults in pursuance of section 68 or 70(1)(b) for the purpose of the provision of those services.

(3D)Information supplied to a person in reliance on subsection (3C) or this subsection may be supplied in accordance with, or with arrangements made under, section 17(1).

(3E)Information supplied to a person in reliance on subsection (3B), (3C) or (3D) may be disclosed—

(a)for the purpose of the provision of services in pursuance of section 68 or 70(1)(b),

(b)for the purpose of enabling or assisting the exercise of any function of a [local authority] under Part 1,

(c)in accordance with any provision of, or made under, any other Act,

(d)in accordance with an order of a court or tribunal,

(e)for the purpose of actual or contemplated proceedings before a court or tribunal,

(f)with consent given by or on behalf of the person to whom the information relates, or

(g)in such a way as to prevent the identification of the person to whom it relates.

(4)It is an offence for a person to disclose restricted information otherwise than in accordance with this section.

(4A) For the purposes of subsection (4), “ restricted information ”, in relation to a person, means information that was disclosed to the person—

(a)in reliance on subsection (3B), (3C) or (3D), or

(b)in circumstances that constitute an offence under this section.]

(5)It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section relating to a disclosure to prove that the person reasonably believed that the disclosure was lawful.

(6)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

(a)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years, to a fine or to both, or

(b)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding [F13the general limit in a magistrates’ court] , to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or to both.

(7)In subsection (6)(b) the reference to [F14the general limit in a magistrates’ court] is to be read in relation to an offence committed before [F152 May 2022] as a reference to 6 months.

[F1676ASupply of information by Secretary of State or person providing servicesE+W

(1)The Secretary of State may make arrangements with any other person for the holding and supply of information in connection with, or for the purposes of, the provision of services in pursuance of section 68 or 70(1)(b).

(2) In this section “ relevant information ”, in relation to a person by whom services are provided under section 68 or 70(1)(b), means information which—

(a)is obtained by a person involved in the provision of those services in, or in connection with, the provision of those services,

(b)relates to a person for whom those services are provided;

but does not include information provided under section 72 of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999.

(3)Relevant information may be supplied to—

(a)the Secretary of State, or

(b)a person providing services to the Secretary of State under this section.

(4)Information supplied under subsection (3) may be supplied to any person involved in the provision of services in pursuance of section 68 or 70(1)(b) for the purposes of the provision of those services.

F17(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6)Nothing in this section authorises the disclosure of any information in contravention of any provision of, or made under, this or any other Act (whenever passed or made) which prevents disclosure of the information.]

77Supply of information by public bodiesE+W

(1)Any of the persons or bodies mentioned in subsection (2) may supply information about a young person or relevant young adult to any person or body involved in the provision of services in pursuance of section 68 or 70(1)(b) for the purpose of the provision of those services.

(2)Those persons and bodies are—

(a)a local authority,

[F18(aa)a non-metropolitan district council for an area for which there is a county council,]

[F19(b)the [F20Secretary of State],

F21(ba)]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F22(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F23(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F24(da)an integrated care board,]

(e)a chief officer of police,

(f)a provider of probation services,

(g)a local probation board, and

(h)a youth offending team.

(3)In this section—

  • F25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  • local probation board” means a local probation board established under section 4 of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 (c. 43);

  • youth offending team” means a team established under section 39 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (c. 37).

78SupplementaryE+W

(1)In sections 68 to 77 and this section—

  • [F26“local authority” has the meaning given by section 579(1) of the Education Act 1996;] 

  • parent”, in relation to a child, has the meaning given by section 576 of [F27that Act] (c. 56);

  • proprietor”, in relation to a school or other institution, means the person or body of persons responsible for its management;

  • relevant young adult” means a person who—

    (a)

    has attained the age of 20 but not the age of 25, and

    (b)

    has [F28special educational needs (within the meaning given by section 579(1) of the Education Act 1996)];

    F29. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  • young person” means a person who has attained the age of 13 but not the age of 20.

(2)For the purposes of sections 68 to 77, a [F1local authority] is responsible for any young person or relevant young adult who is—

(a)receiving education or training in its area,

(b)normally resident in its area, or

(c)otherwise within its area.

(3)For the purposes of subsection (2)(a), “training” includes vocational, social, physical and recreational training.

79Existing functions of Secretary of StateE+W

Sections 114 to 121 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000 (provision of support services for 13 to 19 year olds) cease to have effect.

Commencement Information

I10S. 79 in force at 26.1.2009 for specified purposes by S.I. 2008/3077, art. 4(b)

I11S. 79 in force at 12.1.2010 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2009/3316, art. 2

Assessments relating to learning difficultiesE+W

F3080Assessments relating to learning difficultiesE+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F30S. 80 repealed (1.9.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 3 para. 75(b); S.I. 2014/889, art. 7(a) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/2270 (as amended (1.4.2015) by S.I. 2015/505)

Careers educationE+W

81Careers education: information and adviceE+W

(1)Part 7 of the Education Act 1997 (c. 44) (careers education and guidance) is amended as follows.

F31(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F31(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)After section 45 insert—

45AGuidance as to discharge of duties

(1)The persons responsible for discharging a relevant duty in relation to a school in England falling within section 43(2)(a), (c) or (e) must, in discharging the duty, have regard to any guidance given from time to time by the Secretary of State.

(2)A “relevant duty” means a duty under any of sections 43(3), 44(9) and 45(3).

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I12S. 81 in force at 1.9.2009 by S.I. 2009/1513, art. 3

ApprenticeshipsE+W

F3282Apprenticeships: functions of Learning and Skills Council for EnglandE+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

School transport etcE+W

83Provision of transport etc for persons of sixth form age: duty to consider journey timesE+W

In section 509AB of the Education Act 1996 (c. 56) (further provision about transport policy statements), in subsection (3)(c)—

(a)for “distance from” substitute “ distances, and journey times, between ”; and

(b)for “of establishments” substitute “ and establishments ”.

Commencement Information

I14S. 83 in force at 7.3.2009 by S.I. 2009/387, art. 3(1) (with art. 3(2))

84Exercise of travel functions by [F1local authorities] in England: duty to have regard to religion or belief of persons of sixth form ageE+W

In section 509AD of the Education Act 1996 (LEAs in England: duty to have regard to religion or belief in exercise of travel functions), in subsection (1), for the words from “to any wish” to the end substitute—

(a)to any wish of a parent of such a person for him to be provided with education or training at a particular school, institution or other place where that wish is based on the parent's religion or belief, and

(b)in a case where the person in question (or any of the persons in question) is of sixth form age (within the meaning given in section 509AC(1)), to any wish of that person to be provided with education or training at a particular school, institution or other place where that wish is based on the person's religion or belief.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I15S. 84 in force at 7.3.2009 by S.I. 2009/387, art. 3(1) (with art. 3(3))

Co-operation as regards 14-19 education and trainingE+W

85Co-operation as regards provision of 14-19 education and trainingE+W

(1)The arrangements made by [F33a local authority in England] under section 10 of the 2004 Act (co-operation to improve well-being of children) must include arrangements within subsection (2) or (3).

(2)The arrangements within this subsection are arrangements to promote co-operation between—

(a)the [F34local authority],

(b)the authority's relevant partners, and

(c)the other persons and bodies (of any nature) who exercise functions, or are engaged in activities, relevant to the provision of 14-19 education or training in the authority's area.

(3)The arrangements within this subsection are arrangements made jointly by the [F35local authority] and one or more other [F36local authorities in England] to promote co-operation between—

(a)the authorities,

(b)the authorities' relevant partners, and

(c)the other persons and bodies (of any nature) who exercise functions, or are engaged in activities, relevant to the provision of 14-19 education or training in each of the authorities' areas.

(4)Subsection (1) is not to be read as affecting the generality of the duty imposed by section 10(1) and (2) of the 2004 Act so far as relating to education and training.

(5)In this section—

  • the 2004 Act” means the Children Act 2004 (c. 31);

  • [F37local authority]” has the meaning given by section 65(1) of that Act;

  • “14-19 education” and “14-19 training” mean, respectively, education and training suitable to the requirements of persons during the period beginning with the start of the academic year in which they attain the age of 15 and ending when they attain the age of 19;

  • relevant partner”, in relation to a [F37local authority], has the meaning given by section 10(4) of the 2004 Act.

(6)For the purposes of subsection (5)—

(a)education” means full-time or part-time education, but does not include higher education (namely, education provided by means of a course of any description mentioned in Schedule 6 to the Education Reform Act 1988 (c. 40));

(b)training” means full-time or part-time training, and includes vocational, social, physical and recreational training;

(c)academic year” means any period beginning with 1 August and ending with the next 31 July.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I16S. 85 in force at 28.2.2009 by S.I. 2009/387, art. 2

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