271.The Secretary of State and the Assembly (by virtue of section 80(1) of the Children Act) have wide powers to inspect premises in which children are accommodated, including independent schools. This section extends powers under section 80 to inspect or to obtain information, to any school or college providing accommodation for any child. It also adds a person carrying on a fostering agency (as defined in section 4(4)) to those persons whom section 80(5) places under a duty to provide the Secretary of State (or in Wales, the National Assembly) with information or access to records for inspection purposes.
Schedule 3 Child Minding and Day Care for Young Children Boarding Schools and Colleges Section 109 Inspection of schools etc. by persons authorised by Secretary of State