Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 14
14
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 45
Under section 497 of the Education Act 1996, the Secretary of State has the power...
Recommendation
Under section 497 of the Education Act 1996, the Secretary of State has the power to take legal action against local authorities who are not meeting their statutory duties 46 Educational poverty: how children in residential care have been let down and what to do about it relating to the provision of education. The Department must provide clearer guidance setting out how it will identify and sanction local authorities who are breaking the law in failing to secure school places for their looked-after children. The Department must also set out clearer guidelines on the responsibility of central government when an authority is non-compliant.
Government response summary AI-generated
The Department will consider how its power under section 497 of the Education Act 1996 may be used more effectively where a local authority fails to ensure a looked-after child is able to access a school place.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
45
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government · verbatim extract
Acknowledged
Under section 497 of the Education Act 1996, the Secretary of State has the power to direct a local authority to act where they have acted ‘unreasonably’ or failed to carry out their duties. We will consider how this power may be used more effectively where a local authority fails to ensure a looked-after child is able to access a school place.
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