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What is Section 20 accommodation under the Children Act?
Do local authorities have a duty to provide accommodation for children?
What is a duty to accommodate a child?
What should a local authority do if a child is accommodated?
What should I do if I have concerns about Section 20 accommodation?
What happens if a child is placed under Section 20?
Aug 13, 2024 · Children’s services has a duty to accommodate under section 20 if: No-one has parental responsibility for the young person or; The young person is lost or abandoned or; The person who has been caring for the young person is unable to continue to provide suitable care and accommodation. Who has to consent to Section 20 accommodation?
Children’s services departments are under a general legal duty to keep any child who is looked after in the care system safe and well cared for (see section 22(3) of the Children Act 1989). This duty applies to any child who is ‘in care’ under a court order.
Section 20 accommodation under the Children Act is a legal provision that plays a vital role in safeguarding vulnerable children. It helps local authorities to protect and take care of a child by placing them temporarily under their care without a court order.
A local authority is not permitted to accommodate a child under s 20 if a person with parental responsibility who is willing and able to provide or arrange for accommodation objects.
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A local authority cannot provide accommodation under section 20/76 if a person with parental responsibility, who is able and willing to provide accommodation for the child, or arrange for accommodation for the child, objects (s.20(7) and s.76(4)).
A child can be accommodated under section 20 if: The person who has been caring for the child is unable to provide them with suitable accommodation and care (either temporarily or permanently), and the parent is not able to give consent;
Children ‘looked after’ under a court order and for whom a local authority shares parental responsibility. They are looked after because a court has decided that is in their best interests. Children a local authority provides with ‘accommodation’ but does not share parental responsibility for.
