97Duties of Children’s Guardian with respect to child protection declaration

97 Duties of Children’s Guardian with respect to child protection declaration

97 Duties of Children’s Guardian with respect to child protection declaration

(1) The Children’s Guardian must, as soon as practicable after receiving a copy of a child protection declaration under section 96 (2), investigate the accuracy of the declaration.

(2) For the purpose of carrying out an investigation, the Children’s Guardian may access—

(a) the working with children register (established and maintained under section 25 of the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012), and

(b) the records of a person who is under a duty under section 98 to assist the Children’s Guardian.

(3) The Children’s Guardian must prepare a report on the results of those investigations.

(4) The report is to be presented to the Presiding Officer of the House of Parliament to which the persons concerned have been elected. A copy of a report furnished to the Presiding Officer of a House of Parliament is to be laid before that House as soon as practicable after it is received by the Presiding Officer.

(5) The Children’s Guardian may, if the Children’s Guardian thinks it appropriate to do so, report on the results of any such investigations over more than one report.