The Transfer of Responsibility for Relevant Children (Extension to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2018

Amendments to section 69 of the Immigration Act 2016

3.—(1) Section 69 (transfer of responsibility for relevant children) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (1)—

(a)omit “in England”;

(b)in paragraph (a), for the words from “provisions of” to “(“the relevant provisions”)” substitute “relevant provisions”.

(3) In subsection (2), for “England” substitute “the same part of the United Kingdom”.

(4) In subsection (3), for “this section” substitute “subsection (2)”.

(5) After subsection (3) insert—

“(3A) The first authority may make arrangements with another local authority in a different part of the United Kingdom (“the second authority”) having the effects mentioned in subsection (3B).

(3B) The effects are that, from the time at which the arrangements have effect in accordance with their terms—

(a)the first authority ceases to have any functions in relation to the relevant child (“C”) under the relevant provisions and functions under those provisions may not be conferred on the first authority in relation to C,

(b)C is to be treated as having a like connection with the second authority, or the area of the second authority, as C had immediately before that time with the first authority or the area of the first authority, and

(c)C is to be treated for the purposes of the relevant provisions in relation to both the first authority and the second authority as if the first authority had never had any functions in relation to C.

(3C) Where a statutory provision would, but for this subsection, require the approval of a court or of any other person for arrangements under subsection (3A), that statutory provision does not apply in relation to such arrangements.”.

(6) In subsection (4), for “Subsection (3)(b) is” substitute “Subsections (3)(b) and (3B)(b) are”.

(7) In subsection (5), after “(3)” insert “or (3B)”.

(8) For subsection (8) substitute—

“(8) In this section “local authority”—

(a)in relation to England and Wales has the same meaning as in the Children Act 1989 (see section 105(1) of that Act)(1),

(b)in relation to Scotland means a council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994(2), and

(c)in relation to Northern Ireland means a Health and Social Care trust established under Article 10 of the Health and Personal Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1991(3).

(8A) In this section “the relevant provisions”—

(a)in relation to a local authority in England, means the provisions of or made under Part 3, 4 or 5 of the Children Act 1989 (support for children and families and care, supervision and protection of children), and

(b)in relation to a local authority in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, means any statutory provision which confers functions on, or which are exercisable by, such an authority which correspond, or are similar, to the functions conferred on a local authority in England by or under any of those Parts of that Act.”.

(9) After subsection (11) insert—

“(12) In this section “statutory provision” means a provision made by or under—

(a)an Act,

(b)an Act of the Scottish Parliament,

(c)a Measure or Act of the National Assembly for Wales, or

(d)an Act of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

(13) In this section a reference to a part of the United Kingdom is a reference to England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.”.