{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/disabled-persons-services-consultation-and-representation-act-1986/section-16",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/disabled-persons-services-consultation-and-representation-act-1986/section-16.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/1986/33",
  "legislation_title": "Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/disabled-persons-services-consultation-and-representation-act-1986",
  "path": "section/16",
  "kind": "section",
  "number": "16",
  "heading": "Interpretation.",
  "text": "(1) In this Act—\n“the 1948 Act” means National Assistance Act 1948;\n“the 1968 Act” means the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968;\n“the 1970 Act” means the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970;\n...\n“the 1978 Act” means the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978;\n“the 1980 Act” means the Education (Scotland) Act 1980;\n“the 1983 Act” means the Mental Health Act 1983;\n“the 2003 Act” means the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 13);\n“the 2006 Act” means the National Health Service Act 2006;\n“authorised representative” has the meaning given by section 1(1) above;\n“disabled person”—\n(za) in relation to England, means—\n(i)in the case of a person aged 18 or over, a person who has a disability within the meaning of section 6 of the Equality Act 2010;\n(ii)in the case of a person aged under 18, a person who is disabled within the meaning of Part 3 of the Children Act 1989;\n(a) in relation to Wales means a person who is disabled within the meaning of section 3 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014; and\n(b)in relation to Scotland, means—\n(i)in the case of a person aged eighteen or over, one chronically sick or disabled or one suffering from mental disorder (being, in either case, a relevant person for the purposes of section 12 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968; and\n(ii)in any other case, a disabled child (“disabled child” being construed in accordance with Chapter 1 of Part II of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995);\n“guardian” (except in section 1(6))—\n(a)in relation to England and Wales, means a person appointed by deed or will or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction to be the guardian of a child; and\n(b)in relation to Scotland, means a person ap pointed by deed or will or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction to be the tutor, curator or guardian of a child;\n...\n“Health Board” means a Health Board within the meaning of the 1978 Act;\n“hospital”—\n(a)in relation to England and Wales, means—\n(i)a health service hospital within the meaning of 2006 Act or the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006, or\n(ii)any accommodation provided by any person pursuant to arrangements made under section 12(1) of the 2006 Act or section 10(1) of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006 (voluntary organisations and other bodies) and used as a hospital; and\n(b)in relation to Scotland, means a health service hospital within the meaning of the 1978 Act;\n“local authority” (except in section 2(7))—\n(a)in relation to England and Wales, means a council which is a local authority for the purposes of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 or the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 or, so long as an order under section 12 of the 1970 Act is in force, the Council of the Isles of Scilly; and\n(b)in relation to Scotland, means a council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 on whom functions are imposed by section 1 , as read with section 2, of the 1968 Act or any of the enactments mentioned in section 5(1B) of that Act;\n“Local Health Board” means a Local Health Board established under section 11 of the National Health Services (Wales) Act 2006;\n“mental disorder”—\n(a)in relation to England and Wales, has the meaning given by section 1 of the 1983 Act; and\n(b)in relation to Scotland, has the meaning given by section 328 of the 2003 Act;\n“modifications” includes additions, omissions and amendments;\n“parent”—\n(a)in relation to England and Wales, means, in the case of a child who is illegitimate, his mother, to the exclusion of his father; and\n(b)in relation to Scotland, means, in the case of a child whose father is not married to the mother, his mother, to the exclusion of his father;\n“parental responsibility” has the same meaning as in the Children Act 1989;\n...\n“services” includes facilities;\n“Special Health Authority” means a Special Health Authority established under section 28 of the 2006 Act or section 22 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006;\n“special hospital” means a special hospital within the meaning of the 1977 Act;\n“State hospital” means a State hospital within the meaning of the 2003 Act;\n“statutory services”—\n(a)in relation to England and Wales, means services under any arrangements which a local authority are required to make by virtue of any of the welfare enactments, and\n(b)in relation to Scotland, means services which a local authority find it necessary to provide themselves or by arrangement with another local authority, or with any voluntary or other body, in connection with the performance of the local authority’s functions under the welfare enactments;\n...\n“voluntary organisation” means a body the activities of which are carried on otherwise than for profit, but does not include any public or local authority;\n“the welfare enactments” means ... —\n(za) in relation to England, section 2 of the 1970 Act, Part 3 of the Children Act 1989 and Part 1 of the Care Act 2014,\n(a)in relation to ... Wales, ... Parts 4 and 6 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, and\n(b)in relation to Scotland, section 27 of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1947, the 1968 Act , sections 25 and 26 of the 2003 Act and Chapter 1 of Part II of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995.\n(2) In this Act as it applies in relation to England, any reference to a child who is looked after by a local authority has the same meaning as in Part 3 of the Children Act 1989.\n(2ZA) In this Act as it applies in relation to Wales, any reference to a child who is looked after by a local authority has the same meaning as in Part 6 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.\n(2A) In this Act as it applies in relation to Scotland, any reference to a child who is looked after by a local authority shall be construed in accordance with section 17(6) of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995.",
  "extent": "E+W+S",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "S. 16: existing provisions renumbered as s. 16(1) (S.) (1.4.1997) by 1995 c. 36, s. 105(4), Sch. 4 para. 39(5)(d) (with s. 103(1)); S.I. 1996/3201, art. 3(7)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F2",
      "text": "Words in s. 16(1) omitted (1.3.2007) by virtue of National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), s. 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 90(a) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F3",
      "text": "Words in s. 16 substituted (S.) (27.9.2005) by The Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 (Modification of Enactments) Order 2005 (S.S.I. 2005/465), art. 1, sch. 1 para. 17(5); and those same words expressed to be substituted (S.) (5.10.2005) by Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 13), s. 333(2), sch. 4 para. 4(3)(a); S.S.I. 2005/161, art. 3 (as substituted by S.S.I. 2005/375, art. 2 and as amended by S.S.I. 2005/459, art. 2)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F4",
      "text": "Words in s. 16(1) inserted (1.3.2007) by National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), s. 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 90(b) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F5",
      "text": "Words in s. 16 inserted (1.4.2015) by The Care Act 2014 and Children and Families Act 2014 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/914), art. 1(2), Sch. para. 41(2) (with arts. 1(3), 3)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F6",
      "text": "Words in s. 16(1) substituted (6.4.2016) by The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/413), regs. 2(1), 51(a)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F7",
      "text": "S. 16: in definition of “disabled person” para. (b) substituted (S.) (1.4.1997) by 1995 c. 36, s. 105(4), Sch. 4 para. 39(5)(a) (with s. 103(1)); S.I. 1996/3201, art. 3(7)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F8",
      "text": "Words in s. 16, in the definition of “guardian”, para. (a) repealed (E.W.) (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108(7), Sch. 15 (with s. 108(6), Sch. 14 paras. 1(1), 27(4)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F9",
      "text": "S. 16: in definition of “guardian” para. (b) repealed (S.) (1.11.1996) by 1995 c. 36, s. 105(4)(5), Sch. 4 para. 39(5)(b), Sch. 5 (with s. 103(1)); S.I. 1996/2203, art. 3(3), Sch. Table"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F10",
      "text": "Words in s. 16 repealed (S.) (25.9.1991) by 1991 c. 50, ss. 10(2), 11(2), Sch. 2 (with s. 1(3))."
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F11",
      "text": "S. 16(1): definition of \"Health Authority\" omitted (1.3.2007) by virtue of National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), s. 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 90(c) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F12",
      "text": "Words in s. 16(1) substituted (1.3.2007) by National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), s. 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 90(d)(i) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F13",
      "text": "Words in s. 16(1) substituted (1.3.2007) by National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), s. 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 90(d)(ii) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F14",
      "text": "Words in s. 16(1) inserted (6.4.2016) by The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/413), regs. 2(1), 51(b)(i)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F15",
      "text": "Words in s. 16(1) substituted (6.4.2016) by The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/413), regs. 2(1), 51(b)(ii)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F16",
      "text": "Words in s. 16 substituted (S.) (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 39, s. 180(1), Sch. 13 para. 148(3)(a); S.I. 1996/323, art. 4(1)(c)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F17",
      "text": "Words in s. 16 repealed (S.) (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 39, ss. 180(1)(2), Sch. 13 para. 148(3)(b), Sch. 14; S.I. 1996/323, art. 4(1)(d)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F18",
      "text": "Words in s. 16 inserted (S.) (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 39, s. 180(1), Sch. 13 para. 148(3)(c); S.I. 1996/323, art. 4(1)(c)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F19",
      "text": "Words in s. 16 inserted (1.4.2007) by The References to Health Authorities Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/961), art. 1(1), Sch. para. 15(3)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F20",
      "text": "Words in s. 16 substituted (30.6.2007) by Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 10), s. 79(3), sch. 1 para. 2(b)(i); S.S.I. 2007/334, art. 2(a), sch. 1"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F21",
      "text": "Definition in s. 16 inserted (E.W.) (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108(5), Sch. 13 para. 61(2) (with s. 108(6), Sch. 14 para. 1(1)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F22",
      "text": "S. 16(1): definition of “Primary Care Trust” omitted (1.4.2013) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), s. 306(4), Sch. 5 para. 42(a); S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-9)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F23",
      "text": "Definition in s. 16 inserted (28.6.1995 for certain purposes and 1.4.1996 otherwise) by 1995 c. 17, ss. 2, 8, Sch. 1 Pt. III para. 111(4)(b) (with Sch. 2 paras. 6, 16)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F24",
      "text": "Words in s. 16(1) substituted (1.3.2007) by National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), s. 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 90(f) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F25",
      "text": "Word in s. 16 substituted (30.6.2007) by Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 10), s. 79(3), sch. 1 para. 2(b)(ii); S.S.I. 2007/334, art. 2(a), sch. 1"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F26",
      "text": "s. 16(1): definition of “Strategic Health Authority” omitted (1.4.2013) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), s. 306(4), Sch. 5 para. 42(b); S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-9)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F27",
      "text": "Words in s. 16(1) omitted (6.4.2016) by virtue of The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/413), regs. 2(1), 51(c)(i)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F28",
      "text": "Words in s. 16 inserted (1.4.2015) by The Care Act 2014 and Children and Families Act 2014 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/914), art. 1(2), Sch. para. 41(4) (with arts. 1(3), 3)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F29",
      "text": "Words in s. 16(1) inserted (6.4.2016) by The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/413), regs. 2(1), 51(c)(ii)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F30",
      "text": "Words in s. 16 omitted (1.4.2015) by virtue of The Care Act 2014 and Children and Families Act 2014 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/914), art. 1(2), Sch. para. 41(5) (with arts. 1(3), 3)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F31",
      "text": "Words in s. 16(1) substituted (1.3.2007) by National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), s. 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 90(h) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F32",
      "text": "Words in s. 16(1) inserted (6.4.2016) by The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/413), regs. 2(1), 51(c)(iii)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F33",
      "text": "S. 16: words in definition of “the welfare enactments” in para. (b) substituted (S.) (1.4.1997) by 1995 c. 36, s. 105(4), Sch. 4 para. 39(5)(c) (with s. 103(1)); S.I. 1996/3201, art. 3(7)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F34",
      "text": "Words in s. 16(1) substituted (S.) (5.10.2005) by Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 13), s. 333(2), sch. 4 para. 4(3)(b); S.S.I. 2005/161, art. 3 (as substituted by S.S.I. 2005/375, art. 2 and as amended by S.S.I. 2005/459, art. 2)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F35",
      "text": "S. 16(2)(2ZA) substituted for s. 16(2) (6.4.2016) by The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/413), regs. 2(1), 51(d)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F36",
      "text": "S. 16(2A) added (S.) (1.4.1997) by 1995 c. 36, s. 105(4), Sch. 4 para. 39(5)(d) (with s. 103(1)); S.I. 1996/3201, art. 3(7)"
    },
    {
      "type": "M",
      "label": "M1",
      "text": "1948 c. 29."
    },
    {
      "type": "M",
      "label": "M2",
      "text": "1968 c. 49."
    },
    {
      "type": "M",
      "label": "M3",
      "text": "1970 c. 44."
    },
    {
      "type": "M",
      "label": "M4",
      "text": "1978 c. 29."
    },
    {
      "type": "M",
      "label": "M5",
      "text": "1980 c. 44."
    },
    {
      "type": "M",
      "label": "M6",
      "text": "1983 c. 20."
    },
    {
      "type": "M",
      "label": "M7",
      "text": "1970 c. 42."
    },
    {
      "type": "M",
      "label": "M8",
      "text": "1947 c. 27."
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1986/33/section/16",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T09:56:13.486700+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}