Other provisions relating to children in England Combined authority functions relating to children
Under Part 6 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, local authorities in England are able to join together to form wider Combined Authorities. Until 2016 local authorities were only able to transfer certain functions connected with transport and economic development to Combined Authorities, however, following the coming into force of the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 local authorities are able to transfer a significantly wider range of functions, including those connected with children’s social care. Under section 497A of the Education Act 1996, as applied to children’s social care functions by section 50 of the Children Act 2004 and section 15 of the Childcare Act 2006, the Secretary of State may issue directions to a local authority, including directions requiring children’s social care functions to be discharged by another person on behalf, of or instead of the local authority, where functions are being performed to an inadequate standard.