When a child in the UK gets taken into foster care under the local authority/state, either by Section 20 and/or Child Act 1989 and 2004, do the local authority and professionals involved have access to all relevant birth, death and marriage certificates related to the said child?
If a child becomes subject to a care order, either interim or full, under section 31 of the Children Act 1989, the Local Authority may apply for a copy of their birth certificate regardless of the nature of their care placement. If relevant, the Local Authority may apply for copies of other certificates, for example if seeking evidence of family background. The Local Authority may apply for a copy of a birth certificate for a child subject to section 20 of the Children Act 1989 to assist a parent although, since the Authority does not have parental responsibility for the child, it would be for the parent(s) to do so in most circumstances.