Commentary on Sections Part 1 – Delivery of Social Work Services for Children and Young Persons (sections 1 to 6) Section 2: Restrictions on arrangements under section 1
21.Section 2 places restrictions on the functions that may be the subject of arrangements under this Part. The excluded functions (set out in subsection (2)) are functions in relation to the appointment of independent reviewing officers and the local authority’s functions as an adoption agency (unless the provider of social work services is also a registered adoption society). The intention is that independent reviewing officers will be one of the mechanisms by which local authorities quality assure the work carried out by providers of social work services. Making arrangements for adoption are excluded as the intention is that providers of social work services are to focus on the provision of support to looked after children, particularly those who are likely to remain in the long term care of the authority.
22.Subsection (5) provides that a local authority must not enter into arrangements under Part 1 unless it is satisfied that the functions will be discharged by, or under the supervision of, registered social workers.