§ 53. Mr. Hoosonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what provisions are made for review and appeal of social workers' decisions on major matters affecting a child's life and welfare before such decisions are implemented.
§ Mr. MoyleLocal authorities have a duty under the Children and Young Persons Act 1969 to review the cases of all children in care once every six months, and are also required to review a decision to keep a child in secure accommodation every three months by appointing a committee for this purpose which must include an independent person. The 1969 Act also provides for the appointment of an independent person to visit and befriend certain children in care who are not in touch with their parents; this person may act for the child in seeking the discharge of the care order. When a local authority passes a resolution under section 2 of the Children Act 1948 to assume parental rights and duties in respect of a child who is in its care under section 1 of the Act, there is provision for the matter to be brought before a juvenile court if the parents object to the resolution. Apart from these safeguards, no formal provision is made for a child to appeal against a decision taken by a 571W local authority although the decisions of individual social workers are subject to professional oversight within social services departments.