New Clause 1
Autism Bill
2:30 pm
This New Clause would require the Secretary of State to issue guidance to local authorities, NHS bodies and NHS foundation trusts in order to secure the implementation of the autism strategy. It would also require the Secretary of State to consult on the guidance and keep it under review.
Government new clause 3—Local authorities and NHS bodies: duty to act under guidance
‘(1) This section applies to guidance or revised guidance issued under section [Guidance by the Secretary of State] to a local authority or an NHS body.
(2) Guidance or revised guidance is to be treated as if it were general guidance of the Secretary of State under section 7 of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 (c. 42) (local authorities to exercise social services functions under guidance of Secretary of State).
(3) For the purposes of guidance or revised guidance—
(a) an NHS body is to be treated as if it were a local authority within the meaning of the 1970 Act (see section 1 of that Act), and
(b) the functions of an NHS body mentioned in section [Guidance by the Secretary of State](1)(b) are to be treated as if they were its social services functions within the meaning of that Act (see section 1A of that Act).’.