Section 86A — Children Act 1989: Visitors for children notified to local authority ...

Visitors for children notified to local authority ... 86A 1 This section applies if the appropriate officer of a local authority in England —

a has been notified with respect to a child under section 85(1) or 86(1) “, or under section 120(2)(a) of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 ;

and b has not been notified with respect to that child under section 85(2) , 86(2), or under section 120(2)(b) of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, as the case may be .

2 The local authority must, in accordance with regulations made under this section, make arrangements for the child to be visited by a representative of the authority (“a representative”).

3 It is the function of a representative to provide advice and assistance to the local authority on the performance of their duties under section 85(4) or, as the case may be, 86(3).

4 Regulations under this section may make provision about—

a the frequency of visits under visiting arrangements;

b circumstances in which visiting arrangements must require a child to be visited;

and c additional functions of a representative.

5 Regulations under this section are to be made by the Secretary of State ....

6 In choosing a representative a local authority must satisfy themselves that the person chosen has the necessary skills and experience to perform the functions of a representative.

7 In this section “ visiting arrangements ” means arrangements made under subsection (2).