Commentary on Sections Part 2 –Standards Provision of social services Section 77: Information and advice
190.Section 77 places a duty on the CSCI to keep the Secretary of State informed about the social services provided by English local authorities. Subsection (2) allows for the CSCI to give advice to the Secretary of State on any matters connected with this subject as it sees fit. In particular, the CSCI may advise the Secretary of State of any changes to standards issued under section 23 of the CSA 2000 that, if made, could secure an improvement in the performance by local authorities in England of their adoption and fostering functions. These standards are National Minimum Standards that represent the minimum service level expected of local authorities in exercising their adoption and fostering functions. Similar National Minimum Standards are also issued under section 23 of the Care Standards Act (“CSA 2000”) in respect of adoption and fostering services provided by voluntary sector adoption and fostering agencies.