HL Deb 08 November 1989 vol 512 cc753-4

76 After Clause 23 insert the following new clause —

'Consultation with local education authorities.

—(1) Where —

  1. (a) a child is being looked after by a local authority; and
  2. (b) the authority propose to provide accommodation for him in an establishment at which education is provided for children who are accommodated there,
they shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, consult the appropriate local education authority before doing so.

(2) Where any such proposal is carried out, the local authority shall, as soon as is reasonably practicable, inform the appropriate local education authority of the arrangements that have been made for the child's accommodation.

(3) Where a child ceases to be accommodated as mentioned in subsection (1)(b), the local authority shall inform the appropriate local education authority.

(4) In this section "the appropriate local education authority" means —

  1. (a) the local education authority within whose area the local authority's area falls; or
  2. (b) where the child has special educational needs and a statement of his needs is maintained under the Education Act 1981, the local education authority who maintain the statement.'.

The Lord Chancellor

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 76.

This amendment would place a duty on local authorities in relation to children they are looking after such that a local authority proposing to place a child in an establishment with education on the premises would be required so far as is reasonably practicable to consult the appropriate local education authority before doing so. The local authority would also be required, as soon as is reasonably practicable, to inform the local education authority of any arrangements when the child ceases to be so accommodated.

The idea is to ensure that there is full consultation between the local social services authority and the local education authority on both the welfare and educational needs of children who may be placed in a residential school or a home with education provided on the premises. I beg to move.

Moved, That the House do agree with the Commons in the said amendment. —(The Lord Chancellor.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.