Website of the Department of Health

Although many of the Department of Health's Children and Families functions have transferred to the Department for Education and Skills (DfES), these circulars will continue to be issued in the Local Authority Social Services Letter (LASSL) series for the forseeable future.

Section 63 of the Children Act 2004 amends Schedule 5 of the Tax Credit Act, meaning that the Inland Revenue now has lawful authority to provide local authorities with a limited amount of information relating to children, i.e. names and address(es). This information can only be requested where it is needed in order for the local authority to fulfil their statutory responsibilities to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Such enquires will generally be made under s47 of the Children Act 1989, which requires local authorities to make enquiries where they suspect a child is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm.

In the first instance, enquiries about this Circular should be made to the Children's Safeguards Unit, in the Department for Education and Skills. 133-155 Waterloo Road SE1 8UG Tel. 0207 972 4074  Fax. 0207 972 4627

• Download LASSL (2005)3: Accessing information from Inland Revenue to assist with enquiries about a child's safety and welfare (PDF, 35K)
• Children Act 2004 (opens new window)