TCM0134040 - Miscellaneous: C to D: child at risk - request or information from LA or HSSBT (AG)
To deal with a request from a Local Authority (LA) or Health and Social Services Board & Trust (HSSBT) in Northern Ireland for details of the name and current address of a tax credits customer when a child at risk, consider Steps 1 to 7.
Step 1
If you have received a request for information about a child at risk
Step 2
Obtain all the following information
- name of the caller and the Department they work in
- address of the LA or HSSBT
- switchboard phone number and extension of the caller
- the legislation under which the request is being made
then
- go to Step 3.
Step 3
Check that the enquiry is made under the correct legislation
- In England and Wales, Part 5 of the Children Act 1989 sections 43 to 52, relating to the welfare of a child
- In Scotland, Chapter 3 of Part 2 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 sections 52 to 85, relating to the welfare of a child
- In Northern Ireland, Part 6 of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 sections 62 to 71, relating to the welfare of a child (S.I. 1995/755 (N.I.2))
then
- go to Step 4.
Step 4
If the caller
- provides you with the correct legislation
- record the following details on a Child at risk - Local Authority request for information form (Word 32KB)
- the details obtained at Step 1
- the name of the customer that the child is thought to be living with
- the name of the child whose address is being sought
then
- tell the caller they will be contacted with the information they have requested
- fax the completed form to CBO Customer Relations Unit (This content has been withheld because of exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act 2000)
- take no further action.
- is vague about the legislation under which they require the information, go to Step 5.
- doesn’t provide you with the correct legislation, go to Step 6.
Step 5
If the caller is vague about the legislation or cites different legislation, don’t prompt or help them
- ask them to complete a sheet of their letter headed paper with the following information
- name and address of the LA or HSSBT
- department they work in
- their full name, switchboard number and extension
- the legislation they require the information under
then
- ask them to fax the completed sheet to the Customer Relations Unit (This content has been withheld because of exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act 2000)
- tell the caller they will receive a response to their fax as soon as possible
- take no further action.
Step 6
If the caller doesn’t provide you with the correct legislation, don’t disclose any information
- tell the caller that Section 182 of the Finance Act 1989 prevents you from disclosing the information they have requested
- take no further action.
Step 7
If the request for information is received in writing
- fax a copy of the letter, together with the completed Child at risk - Local Authority request for information form (Word 32KB), to CBO Customer Relations Unit (This content has been withheld because of exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act 2000)
- complete form TC648 and send the letter to storage. Follow the guidance in TCM0074140.