Duty to inform target local authority CA 1989 s. 24C
Local authorities and accommodation providers must inform the target authority when a qualifying young person or child over 16 moves area.
Where it appears to a local authority that a person— with whom they are under a duty to keep in touch under section 23B, 23C or 24; or whom they have been advising and befriending under section 24A; or to whom they have been giving assistance under section 24B, proposes to live, or is living, in the area of another local authority , or in the area of a local authority in Wales , they must inform that other authority. Where a child who is accommodated in England— by a voluntary organisation or in a private children’s home; by or on behalf of any Local Health Board or Special Health Authority; by or on behalf of an integrated care board or NHS England ; by or on behalf of a local authority in the exercise of education functions; by or on behalf of a local authority in Wales in the exercise of education functions; in any care home or independent hospital; or in any accommodation provided by or on behalf of a National Health Service trust or by or on behalf of an NHS Foundation Trust, ceases to be so accommodated after reaching the age of 16, the person by whom or on whose behalf the child was accommodated or who carries on or manages the home or hospital (as the case may be) must inform the local authority or local authority in Wales within whose area the child proposes to live. Subsection (2) only applies, by virtue of any of paragraphs (b) to (g) , if the accommodation has been provided for a consecutive period of at least three months. In a case where a child was accommodated by or on behalf of a local authority, or a local authority in Wales, in the exercise of education functions, subsection (2) applies only if the authority who accommodated the child is different from the authority within whose area the child proposes to live.
Text in force at .
Source: legislation.gov.uk — The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk), reproduced under licence Open Government Licence v3.0.
What it actually says
When a local authority is under a duty to advise, assist, or keep in touch with a qualifying young person, and that person plans to live or is living in another local authority area, the original authority must notify the receiving authority.
Separately, if a child who is accommodated in England by a voluntary organisation, private children's home, health body, care home, or education provider leaves that accommodation after reaching the age of 16, the manager or accommodating body must notify the local authority where the child intends to live. This requirement applies if the accommodation was provided for a consecutive period of at least three months.
When it applies
- A young person receiving care leaver support from one council informs their personal adviser that they are relocating to a flat in a different council area.
- A private children's home manager prepares to discharge a child who reached the age of 16 after residing there for a consecutive period of three months.
- An NHS foundation trust accommodation manager releases a 16-year-old child who has lived in the facility for three months to reside in another area.
What this section does not say
- Determining which local authority holds financial liability for providing continuing support, which is governed by section 23C and section 24.
- Arranging emergency housing placements or social care packages directly for young people.
- Recouping accommodation costs between different authorities, which is covered under section 29.
Related sections
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This page reproduces the text of CA 1989 s. 24C in force at the date shown and explains it in general terms. It is not legal advice and takes no account of the circumstances of your case, which can change the answer completely. For a live dispute, for limitation periods, and before taking any step in court, consult a qualified lawyer in England and Wales.