HL Deb 18 July 2000 vol 615 cc980-1

2D.—(1) A local authority may refer a relevant individual to the Secretary of State where, as a result of enquiries made, or caused to be made, by it under section 47 of the Children Act 1989, the authority considers that the individual has been guilty of misconduct (whether or not in the course of his employment) which harmed a child or placed a child at risk of harm.

(2) Section 2(4) to (7) above shall apply in relation to a reference made by a local authority under subsection (1) above as it applies in relation to a reference made by an organisation under section 2(1) above.

(3) In this section— funded care" means care in respect of a person's securing the provision of which the authority has made a payment under section 17A of the Children Act 1989 (direct payments); relevant individual" means an individual who is or has been employed to provide funded care to a child.

(4) The reference in subsection (1) above to misconduct is to misconduct which occurred after the commencement of this section."

(2) In section 7 of that Act (effect of inclusion in certain statutory lists), after subsection (1) there shall be inserted— (1A) Where—

  1. (a) a person ("the recipient") employs, or proposes to employ, an individual to provide care for a child; and
  2. (b) a local authority proposes to make a payment to the recipient under section 17A of the Children Act 1989 (direct payments) in respect of his securing the provision of the care,
the authority shall, if the recipient asks it to do so, ascertain whether the individual is included in any of the lists mentioned in subsection (1) above."

(3) After subsection (2) of that section there shall be inserted— (2A) Where a local authority is required under subsection (1A) above to ascertain whether an individual who has been supplied as mentioned in subsection (2) above is included in any of the lists there mentioned, there is sufficient compliance with subsection (1A) above if the authority—

  1. (a) satisfies itself that, on a date within the last 12 months, the organisation which supplied the individual ascertained whether he was included in any of those lists; and
  2. (b) obtains written confirmation of the facts as ascertained by the organisation."

(4) In section 1(2)(a) of that Act (duty of Secretary of State to keep list), after "or 2A" there is inserted "or 2D".")

171 After Clause 81, insert the following new clause—