Local authority duties to children

Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis

Local authorities (LAs) have various statutory duties to keep children in their area safe and identify any concerns.

LAs must investigate any child protection concerns and put in place measures to protect children from harm. These duties are wide-ranging and will be important to various LA departments.

Section 10 of the Children Act 2004 (CA 2004) specifically requires each LA to make arrangements with relevant partners and other organisations working with children in their area, to promote interagency co-operation to improve the well-being of children in that area. This includes identifying children and families who need early help and identifying universal and targeted services to provide that assistance. ‘Statutory guidance: Working together to safeguard children’ has been produced, which should be followed.

CA 2004, s 10(4) specifies who the relevant partners are. This includes:

  1. •

    local councils including district councils

  2. •

    local police

  3. •

    local probation board and services

  4. •

    youth offending team

  5. •

    National Health Service England (NHS) and integrated care board (ICB)

  6. •

    schools, colleges and further education providers

Each relevant partner must co-operate with the

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Existing user? Sign-in TAKE A FREE TRIAL
Powered by Lexis+®
Latest Local Government News

UKIFS announces £2.5bn funding commitment for world’s first prototype fusion power plant

UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) has announced an additional £2.5bn in funding for the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) programme, aimed at developing the world’s first prototype fusion power plant. The facility will be constructed at the site of the former West Burton A coal-fired power station near Retford and Gainsborough, and is expected to be operational by 2040. STEP operates by fusing the hydrogen gases—deuterium and tritium—which are heated to over 150 million ˚C and confined within a magnetic field. The resulting energy will be used to produce steam, which will turn a turbine to generate electricity.

MHCLG publishes policy document on Integrated Settlement implementation

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published its policy document outlining the implementation framework for Integrated Settlements. The settlements provide Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities (MSAs) with devolved funding to address local priorities while aligning with national objectives. The guidance sets out eligibility criteria for MSAs, defines the scope and allocation process for funding during Spending Review periods using agreed formulae and specifies that MSAs must deliver agreed outcomes through a formal outcomes’ framework. Governance arrangements include a Programme Board, dispute resolution mechanisms and provisions for addressing underperformance. MSAs are given flexibility to reallocate funds within and across themes, subject to defined limits, to ensure the effective use of resources. The policy also establishes spending controls, risk management measures and evaluation processes to maintain value for money and transparency.

Planning reform working paper—reforming site thresholds

Planning analysis: The government has published a working paper on reforming site size thresholds to support housing delivery on different types of sites. This means taking a gradated approach to the system as a whole—removing and streamlining disproportionate requirements on small and medium sites, while maintaining and strengthening requirements on major development. This analysis looks at the key proposals and implications.

Modernising planning committees—proposed reforms and implications

Planning analysis: On 28 May 2025, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) launched a technical consultation on proposed reforms to planning committees in England, closing on 23 July 2025. These reforms are part of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill's implementation and aim to modernise planning decision-making processes. The proposed reforms seek to enhance the efficiency, consistency, and quality of planning decisions in England. By standardising delegation, optimising committee structures, mandating training, and refining performance metrics, the government aims to create a more responsive planning system that supports sustainable development and economic growth.

View Local Government by content type :  
News
Practice notes
Precedents
Q&As

Popular documents

Designation of local authorities for the purposes of care and supervision orders

Designation of local authorities for the purposes of care and supervision ordersThis Practice Note aims to provide guidance on the often controversial issue of local authority designation for the purposes of section 31 of the Children Act 1989 (ChA 1989). In particular, it will focus on:•the

If a rentcharge is shown as being informally exonerated on title information, does this apply to the

If a rentcharge is shown as being informally exonerated on title information, does this apply to the current registered owner? Or does the informal exoneration only apply to the parties to the document which informally exonerated the rentcharge?This Q&A considers the situation where, at some

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal fees, will that count as a PET against their estate?A disclaimer is the refusal of a gift prior to acceptance. The refusal of the gift must take place before the beneficiary accepts any benefit

Glossary—Latin legal terms

Glossary—Latin legal termsDespite attempts in recent years to simplify the language used in legal cases, there are still a number of Latin phrases commonly used in personal injury claims. The following Latin phrases are listed in alphabetical order:Latin
Designation of local authorities for the purposes of care and supervision orders

Designation of local authorities for the purposes of care and supervision orders

Designation of local authorities for the purposes of care and supervision ordersThis Practice Note aims to provide guidance on the often controversial issue of local authority designation for the purposes of section 31 of the Children Act 1989 (ChA 1989). In particular, it will focus on:•the

If a rentcharge is shown as being informally exonerated on title information, does this apply to the

If a rentcharge is shown as being informally exonerated on title information, does this apply to the

If a rentcharge is shown as being informally exonerated on title information, does this apply to the current registered owner? Or does the informal exoneration only apply to the parties to the document which informally exonerated the rentcharge?This Q&A considers the situation where, at some

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal fees, will that count as a PET against their estate?A disclaimer is the refusal of a gift prior to acceptance. The refusal of the gift must take place before the beneficiary accepts any benefit

Glossary—Latin legal terms

Glossary—Latin legal terms

Glossary—Latin legal termsDespite attempts in recent years to simplify the language used in legal cases, there are still a number of Latin phrases commonly used in personal injury claims. The following Latin phrases are listed in alphabetical order:Latin