Local Authority Duties

The local authority has duties towards children in their area. Local authorities and children’s services are mainly concerned with looked after children , children in need  and those on the child protection register. Every child in custody is a looked after child. 

A child’s status (for example if a looked after child or a child in need) may affect the appropriate sentence, and may be relevant in other applications such as anti social behaviour injunction. If a local authority does not meet their responsibilities a person can complain or challenge them in court.