Mr. Couchmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has for further implementation of the Children Act 1975 and the Child Care Act 1980.
§ Mr. NewtonIn January 1984, we intend to implement the new provisions for appeals against termination of access to children in care—sections 12A-G of the Child Care Act 1980 as amended by the Health and Social Services and Social Security Adjudications Act 1983—with the exception of 12F(3) and 12F(4) which provide for guardians ad litem.
On 1 April 1984, we intend to bring into effect regulations providing for the establishment of panels of guardians ad litem, together with section 12F(3) and 256W 12F(4) of the 1980 Act and the remaining unimplemented provisions of section 64 of the Children Act 1975, under which parents will be able to get legal aid in care proceedings in all cases where a court considers that they should be separately represented. Section 7 of the Child Care Act 1980 will also be brought into enable courts to make the child a party to the proceedings and appoint a guardian ad litem in parental rights proceedings.
At the same time, we intend to implement the provisions which will enable the courts to declare a child free for adoption and a number of smaller improvements to adoption procedures. This will complete the implementation of the Children Act's adoption provision with the exception of section 1 and 2 which provide for a statutory adoption service.
By the end of 1984, as my hon. and learned Friend the Minister for Health announced to the House yesterday, we intend, with the agreement of my Noble Friend the Lord Chancellor, to implement the custodianship provisions contained in sections 33.46 of the 1975 Act.