Explain the legal powers and duties of local authorities in relation Essay

Explain the legal powers and duties of local authorities in relation to the protection of children. Consider whether any changes - Essay Example Researcher will likewise consider if there are still necessary legal amendments that should be undertaken to ensure that there is adequate protection given to children. The British government has accorded local government such powers and functions that encompassed direct, representative and consultative functions. In Northern Ireland, the councils work on policy legislation which bestowed power for local authorities and added ceremonial function that enable councils to provide a wide range of public services in areas which covered recreation, environmental health, ecological protection, tourism, economic development, and social services. Local authorities are also exercising representative functions that allowed the council to nominate representatives as members of various statutory bodies to establish and administer regional services that cover matters on education, health and social services, drainage and fire protection.1 Their consultative functions, which mandate council to repr esent the views of their population, on regional services operated within the district. Such power includes the power to be involved in developmental planning and for conservation.2 Their authorities are defined by statutes and agreements made in the interest of their district’s constituents.3 As leaders, performing elective or appointive functions, they lead the members of the community in safeguarding and promoting the welfare and protection of children. As such, they lead and work with statutory organisations performing functions on child rights and protection through laws, such as the duties enshrined under Section 11 of the Children Act 2004, an act that provide the establishment of a commission that mandates local authorities to provide services, legal supports, and enforce all statutes for children protection and care4. The policy described such functions, to wit: An Act to make provision for the establishment of a Children’s Commissioner; to make provision abou t services provided to and for children and young people by local authorities and other persons; to make provision in relation to Wales about advisory and support services relating to family proceedings; to make provision about private fostering, child minding and day care, adoption review panels, the defence of reasonable punishment, the making of grants as respects children and families, child safety orders, the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, the publication of material relating to children involved in certain legal proceedings and the disclosure by the Inland Revenue of information relating to children5 (Chapter 31, Children Act 2004; Legislation.gov.uk, 2013). Under this policy, the general function of the Children’s Commissioner involved (a) promotion of awareness on children’s views and interests in England; (b) encourage local authorities to conduct activities that uphold children’s right to express their views and their interests; (c) conduct research and publicize the operation of complaints