of the Secretary of State • section 10(8) of the Children Act 2004, which requires each person or organisation to which the section 10 duty applies to have regard to any guidance given to them by the Secretary of State • section 11(4) of the Children Act 2004 which requires each person or organisation to which the section 11 duty applies to have regard to any guidance given to them by the Secretary of State It applies to all children who come into contact with children’s social care up to the age of 18 years whether living with their families, in the care of the local authority, or living independently, and care leavers up to the age of 25. This document should be complied with unless exceptional circumstances arise. Throughout the National Framework, the term ‘children’s social care’ refers to the local authority services that exist to: • safeguard and promote the welfare of children in their area who, without the provision of services, are unlikely to achieve or maintain a reasonable standard of health or development, or their health or development will be significantly or further impaired, or is disabled (section 17, Children Act 1989) • assess the needs of young carers, and whether they require support (section 17ZA, Children Act 1989) • provide accommodation to any child in need who requires it (section 20, Children Act 1989) • promote welfare and safeguard looked after children and to ascertain wishes and feelings of children, parents and carers and give them due consideration in decision making (section 22, Children Act 1989) 6 • provide a range of support to a child who has left care (section 23A, 23B, 23C, Children Act 1989) • undertake enquiries when there are concerns a child may suffer significant harm and take action to keep them safe, including taking the 