The Children Act 1989 places two specific duties on agencies to co-operate in the interests of vulnerable children:
Section 27 provided that a local authority may request help from:
- any local authority;
- any local education authority
- any local housing authority;
- any health authority, Special Health Authority or National Health Service Trust; and
- any person authorised by the Secretary of State
in exercising the local authority’s functions under Part III of the Act. This part of the Act places a duty on local authorities to provide support and services for children in need, including children looked after by the local authority and those in secure accommodation.
The authority whose help is requested in these circumstances has a duty to comply with the request, provided it is compatible with its other duties and functions.
Section 47 placed a duty on:
- any local authority;
- any local education authority;
- any housing authority;
- any health authority, Special Health Authority or National Health Service Trust; and
- any person authorised by the Secretary of State
to help a local authority with its enquiries in cases where there is reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm.
These Children Act 1989 duties are consolidated by the Children Act 2004:
- Section 10 of the Children Act 2004 places a duty on all key agencies to co-operate to improve the well-being of children and young people;
- Section 11 of the Children Act 2004 places a duty on these key agencies to ensure their functions are discharged with regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children; and
- Section 13 of the Children Act 2004 which requires the establishment of Local Safeguarding Children Boards also require all constituent agencies to work together in the safeguarding of children and in the promotion of their welfare.
The Education Act 2002 Sections 157 and 175 place the same duties of co-operation to improve the well being of children and to safeguard their welfare on schools and colleges of further education.
