Commentary on Sections and Schedules Part 1:  General Functions of Local Authority: England Section 16:  Amendments of Children Act 2004
59.Section 16 makes two amendments to the Children Act 2004.
60.The first deals with accountability in relation to functions under Part 1 of the Act. It amends section 18 of the 2004 Act, which provides for the appointment by English local authorities of a director of children’s services for the purpose of functions specified in that section. The amendment adds functions under Part 1 of the Act to the list of specified functions and thereby brings them within the responsibility of the director of children’s services. The amendment also brings functions under Part 1 of the Act within the remit of the lead member for children’s services designated by the local authority under section 19 of the 2004 Act.
61.The second amendment means that functions of English local authorities under Part 1 of the Act are children’s services for the purposes of sections 20 to 22 of the 2004 Act. This means that they may be subject to a joint area review under section 20 of the 2004 Act.