3. Seeking care and support services from a local authority may not pose problems, but … E+W (1) It shall be the general duty of every local authority (in addition to the other duties imposed on them by this Part)— (a) to safeguard and promote the welfare of children within their area who are in need; and (b) so far as is consistent with that duty, to promote the upbringing of such children by their families, The Care Act 2014 - Local authorities have new duties for safeguarding vulnerable adults including lead a multi-agency local adult safeguarding system, find out what action is needs when they think adults are at risk, establish safeguarding adult boards, review, arrange independent advocate. (9) Where a local authority are conducting enquiries under this section, it shall be the duty of any person mentioned in subsection (11) to assist them with those enquiries (in particular by providing relevant information and advice) if called upon by the authority to do so. 13. Part 3, Regulation 9, provides for a local authority to charge for certain actions in its health improvement duty. However, during the current crisis it is likely that the word ‘safeguard’ will form the overriding basis when considering whether contact can be safely carried out. the local authority’s duty to return a looked after child to his/her family unless this is against his/her interests; and the local authority’s duty, unless it is not reasonably practicable or consistent with his/her welfare, to endeavour to promote contact between a looked after child and his/her parents or others. [5]. When you are living away from home the local authority has a duty to promote contact between you and your parents and other members of your family like siblings and grandparents, so long as this is consistent with your welfare. Posts about duty to promote contact written by suesspiciousminds. For example, our Map of Gaps enforcement work which focused on local authority service provision for women who have suffered violence under the previous gender equality duty. But it is for the local authority to decide where to accommodate her/him. Given the recent guidance provided by the Government in response to Covid-19, consideration should be given to the safety of the child in care and the safety of the relevant parties. The Local Authority also has a responsibility to its staff, foster carers and to the wider public. Their functions are set out in numerous Acts of Parliament and many of these functions have associated legal duties. If any of the relevant parties are required to travel for contact, public transport should be avoided as this may increase the risk of exposure. Derby City Council reached a decision yesterday (24th March 2020) to suspend all direct contact.  Contact will be by Skype/Facetime/Zoom/Whatsapp or similar where possible and if not then by telephone.  This is, of course, much more suitable for teenagers than for babies. Without the help or provisions of the local authority their development will be significantly or further impaired. 14. Section 34 and paragraph 15(1) [Schedule 2] CA 1989 states only that the Local Authority must ‘endeavour to promote contact’ and ‘allow reasonable contact’. It covers a local authority’s duty to safeguard and promote a child’s welfare and make such services available for children as are reasonable, specifically in relation to placing the child in suitable accommodation and preparing a care plan. On that basis, it is advised that face-to-face contact within Contact Centres should not take place. NHS Trust 5. utility company 6. body carrying out functions of a public character un… At no point in recent history has there been a comprehensive list of legal duties placed on local authorities. Local Authority’s duty to promote contact between a child in their care and relevant parties under section 34 of the Children Act 1989: Covid-19 Guidance. Conserving biodiversity can include restoring or enhancing a population or habitat. —(1) It shall be the general duty of every local authority(in addition to the other duties imposed on them by this Part)— (a) to safeguard and promote the welfare of … Video-calling presents the most efficient way to provide contact between the parties without putting any individual at risk of exposure. ‘Reasonable’ is, by definition, a very vague word but clearly contact can only be reasonable if it meets the best interests of the children they have a duty to look after. It will normally be appropriate for a Cabinet Member to take the lead among 7. We are politically led and cross-party, working with and on behalf of councils to give local government a 11(1), (4)Duty to ensure that any placement outside the local authority area is approved by a nominated officer. Download a number of safeguarding adults resources including reports and reviews. The recently passed Coronavirus Bill and corresponding Guidance is unfortunately silent as to any relaxation of a Local Authority's statutory duty under the Children Act 1989 to promote contact between a child in care and any relevant party as per section 34 and Schedule 2 paragraph 15 under the current circumstances. The Local Authority has a duty to ensure independent advocacy is available and it is breach of this duty if advocacy is not available when needed. By offering and facilitating alternative methods of contacts, such a video-calling and letters, the Local Authority will not be in breach of their duties to their staff and under the Children Act 1989 to promote and facilitate contact. In keeping in line with current Government guidance, a distance of at least two metres should be kept between the parties for any in-person meeting. Section 95 Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014(previously Schedule 2 paragraph 15 Children Act 1989) says: (1) Where a child is being looked after by a local authority, the authority must, unless it is not reasonably practicable or consistent with the child’s wellbeing, promote contact between the child and— (a) his parents; (b) any person who is not a parent of his but who has … The Local Authority has a duty in law to promote contact if it is safe to do so. The recently passed Coronavirus Bill and corresponding Guidance is unfortunately silent as to any relaxation of a Local Authority's statutory duty under the Children Act 1989 to promote contact between a child in care and any relevant party as per section 34 and Schedule 2 … 6.55 The local authority must supervise a welfare guardian and your supervision will take the form of regular meetings, reporting arrangements, and visits both with and without warning to yourself and the adult. The principles can be stated broadly as follows. 1. The local authority has a duty to promote contact between a looked-after child and their parents, relatives and friends. Section 147 (Departure from requirements in codes) does not apply to any requirements contained in this code. It includes identification and involvement of other services provided from other sources. Whether these arrangements can continue in the current health crisis will depend on many factors including the current and underlying health of children, parents and carers, their ages, and also depending which local authority has the Care Order. However, the Local Authority is only under a duty to promote contact between the child and the parents and/or connected persons, ‘unless it is not reasonably practicable or consistent with his welfare’[6]. Local Authority’s duty to promote contact between a child in their care and relevant parties under section 34 of the Children Act 1989: Covid-19 Guidance. The extension of the well-being power is … It covers a local authority’s duty to safeguard and promote a child’s welfare and make such services available for children as are reasonable, specifically in relation to placing the child in suitable accommodation and preparing a care plan. This is the default position in the absence of any court orders. Building capacity with partners to promote … The key new duty for local authorities will be to take appropriate steps to improve the health of their population. This would allow the child to be seen and spoken too without having to leave the household and the parent or connected person would be able to safely distance themselves. As a councillor you will automatically have access to the full range of services that we provide. Under section 10 of the same Act, the local authority is under a duty to make arrangements to promote co- Instead social workers will be obliged to ensure contact arrangements have “clear purpose”, as set out in the child’s care plan. Application to discharge it [ 8 ] main issue arising out of statutory creations ; the vires! That supervision, contact is likely to be rendered unsafe for other underlying reasons which... Provisions of the Government’s restrictions limiting public gatherings to a legal change in circumstances between the act! 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