Section 24A — Children Act 1989: Advice and assistance.

Advice and assistance. 24A 1 The relevant authority shall consider whether the conditions in subsection (2) are satisfied in relation to a person qualifying for advice and assistance.

2 The conditions are that—

a he needs help of a kind which they can give under this section or section 24B;

and b in the case of a person to whom section 24(1A) applies, or to whom section 24(1B) applies and who was not being looked after by any local authority or local authority in Wales , they are satisfied that the person by whom he was being looked after does not have the necessary facilities for advising or befriending him.

3 If the conditions are satisfied—

a they shall advise and befriend him if he is a person to whom section 24(1A) applies, or he is a person to whom section 24(1B) applies and he was being looked after by a local authority (without subsequently being looked after by a local authority in Wales) or was accommodated by or on behalf of a voluntary organisation;

and b in any other case they may do so.

4 Where as a result of this section a local authority are under a duty, or are empowered, to advise and befriend a person, they may also give him assistance.

5 The assistance may be in kind and, in exceptional circumstances, assistance may be given—

a by providing accommodation, if in the circumstances assistance may not be given in respect of the accommodation under section 24B, or b in cash .

6 Subsections (7) to (9) of section 17 apply in relation to assistance given under this section or section 24B as they apply in relation to assistance given under that section.