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

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.