Integrated Services Related Legislation The Children Act 1989

Integrated Services Related Legislation

The Children Act 1989 Sections 17 and 47 of the Children Act 1989 place a duty on local authorities to provide services for children in need and make enquiries about any child in their area who they have reason to believe may be at risk of serious harm. S 17 and 47 also enable the local authority to request help from other local authorities, education and housing authorities and NHS bodies, and places an obligation on these authorities to cooperate.

The Children Act 2004 Section 10 of the Act places a duty on each children’s services authority to make arrangements to promote cooperation between itself and relevant partner agencies to improve the well being of children in their area in relation to; Physical and mental health, and emotional well being Protection from harm and neglect Education, training and recreation Making a positive contribution to society Social and economic well-being

The Local Government Act 2000 Aims to improve the well being of people and communities. Section 2(1) provides a very wide basis for sharing information wherever that information is required to enable the authority to fulfill its functions, which promote the well being of children including children. It is of particular relevance because it is designed to ensure that service delivery is coordinated in ways that minimise duplication and maximise effectiveness.

Education Act 2002 The section 11 duty of the Children Act 2004 complements the duty placed by Section 175 of the Education Act 2002 on local education authorities and the governing bodies of both maintained schools, further education institutions to make arrangements to carry out their functions with a view to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and follow the guidance in ‘Safeguarding Children in Education’ (DFES 2004).

Learning and Skills Act 2000 Section 117: Provides help to a young person to enable them to take part in further education and training Section 119: Enables connexions services to share information with the benefits agency and job centre plus to support young people to obtain appropriate benefits under the Social Security Controls Act 1992 and Social Security Administration Act 1992

Education (SEN) Regulations 2001: Regulation 6 When the local education authority are considering making an assessment of a child’s special educational needs, they are obliged to send copies of the notice to social services, health authorities an dthe headteacher of the school (if any) asking for relevant information. Under regulation 18 all schools must provide Connexions Services with information regarding all year 10 children who have a Statement of Special Educational Needs.

Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 The acts purpose is to help young people who have been looked after by a local authority move from care into living independently. The responsible local authority is to be under a duty to assess and meet the care and support needs of eligible and relevant children and young people. Sharing information with other agencies will enable the local authority to fulfil the statutory duty to provide after care services to young people leaving public care.

championing children (2007) A shared set of skills, knowledge and behaviours for those leading and managing integrated children’s services. http: //www. everychildmatters. gov. uk/_files/ Champ. Child. Res. Bk 0307. pdf http: //www. everychildmatters. gov. uk/_files/ Champ. Child. Rpt. Sum. Mar 07. pdf

Further Legislation Protection of Children Act 1999 Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 Crime and Disorder Act 1998 National Health Service Act 1977 Health and Social Care Act 2003 The National Service Framework All identify the need to share information between agencies.

In addition to existing legislative duties (e. g. CA 1989): Establishment of a Children’s Commissioner A Director of Children’s Services accountable for local authority education and children’s social services, and a lead council member for children, to ensure clear accountability politically. A duty to co-operate to improve the well-being of children, defined by reference to the five outcomes A duty to put in place arrangements to safeguard and promote welfare of children Set up of Local Safeguarding Children Boards and a duty for key partners to take part An index containing basic details about children and young people to enable better sharing of information

ECM: Cf. C - Children’s Trust in Action Outcomes for children & young people Outcomes: • Be healthy • Stay safe • Enjoy and achieve • Make a positive contribution • Achieve economic well-being

Integrated Working Integrated Processes and Tools Information Sharing Index Information Sharing Guidance Common Assessment Framework Integrated Front-Line Service Delivery Children’s Centres Extended Schools Integrated Youth Support Safeguarding Children’s health NSF Youth crime Reduction Lead Professional Multiagency toolkit Service Directory • • • Children Missing Education Improved outcomes: Be Healthy Stay safe Enjoy and achieve Make a positive contribution Achieve economic well-being

Benefits Better outcomes will be secured by services working together more effectively on the front-line to meet the needs of children, young people and their families. Earlier, holistic identification of needs Earlier, more effective intervention Improved information sharing across agencies Better service experience for children and families