Role of Local Authorities
The Children Act 1989 and Children Act 2004 give the local authority the responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Local authorities must also ensure that children in need of protection are protected from serious harm, meaning the local authority will carry out the child protection process. The lead agency for child protection is the Local Authority Children’s Social Care.
Their responsibilities include:
- Assessing, planning, and providing support to children in need
- Making enquiries under Section 47 of the Children Act 1989 when there is reason to suspect a child is at risk or suffering from harm
- Convene and chair Child Protection Conferences under safeguarding partner procedures
- Provide a Key Worker for every child subject to a Child Protection Plan
- Ensure agencies who are party to the protection plan coordinate their activities
- Convene regular reviews of the progress of a child subject to a Child Protection Plan through Core Group and Child Protection
- Conference Review meetings
- Instigate legal proceedings when needed