Page reportSummary
Page Layout
Display issue details:
The line numbers refer to lines in the original source. Any with a line number of '0' are implicit tags added by Total Validator:
1 <!doctype html>
2 <html lang="en">
3 <head>
4 <meta charset="utf-8">
12 
E916 [WCAG21 1.4.4 (AA)] Do not use 'viewport' settings which prevent the user from zooming in:
Using 'user-scalable=no' or 'maximum-scale' with a value less than 2.0 may prevent people with sight difficulties from being able to 'zoom in' to pages to read them. See Understanding 1.4.4. <meta name='viewport' content='width=device-width, initial-scale=1, maximum-scale=1'>
12 <title>
12 Change of Name of a Looked After Child
12 </title>
13 <link href='css/css.php' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' id="main_style"/>
14 <link rel='shortcut icon' href='images/favicon.ico' type='image/x-icon'/>
16 <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="images/apple-touch-icon-57x57-precomposed.png" />
17 <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="72x72" href="images/apple-touch-icon-72x72-precomposed.png" />
18 <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="114x114" href="images/apple-touch-icon-114x114-precomposed.png" />
20 <meta name="application-name" content="Change of Name of a Looked After Child" />
21 <meta name="msapplication-TileColor" content="#301880" />
22 <meta name="msapplication-square70x70logo" content="images/smalltile.png" />
23 <meta name="msapplication-square150x150logo" content="images/mediumtile.png" />
24 <meta name="msapplication-wide310x150logo" content="images/widetile.png" />
25 <meta name="msapplication-square310x310logo" content="images/largetile.png" />
29 <link href='normal.css' id='switch_style' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css'>
32 <link rel='stylesheet' media='(max-width: 1100px)' href='css/colours_mobile.css' />
36 <link href='css/print.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' media='print'>
37 <link href='css/print_colours.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' media='print'>
39 <script src="scripts/print.js">
39 </script>
40 <script src="scripts/jquery-1.6.4.min.js">
40 </script>
41 <script src="scripts/jquery-dateFormat.min.js">
41 </script>
42 <script src="scripts/js.cookie.js">
42 </script>
43 <script type="text/javascript" src="scripts/highlight.js">
43 </script>
44 <script src='https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api.js'>
44 </script>
45 <script type="text/javascript" src="scripts/jquery.js">
45 </script>
46 <script type="text/javascript" src="scripts/pageOrganizer.js">
46 </script>
47 <script>
54 </script>
116 <style>
117 #new_print {
118 display:block;
119 }
120 #old_print {
121 display:none;
122 }
123 </style>
131 <style>
132 ol {
133 counter-reset: item;
134 z-index:-1;
135 }
136 ol li.sub_list {
137 display: block;
138 position: relative;
139 }
140 ol li.sub_list:before {
141 content: counters(item, ".")".";
142 counter-increment: item;
143 position: absolute;
144 margin-right: 100%;
145 right: 3px;
146 }
147 ol li.remove_bullet:before {
148 P908 [WCAG21 1.3.1 (A)] Do not insert content using CSS:
Content inserted using CSS may not appear when CSS is turned off, or the user is using their own accessible style sheet. See WCAG 2.1 Failure F87. content:"\ \ \ ";
149 display:none;
150 }
151 </style>
155 <style>
156 .remove_bullet {
157 list-style:none;
158 }
159 </style>
183 </head>
184 <body onLoad="if (document.getElementById('zoom_searchbox'))
{document.getElementById('zoom_searchbox').focus();}">
186 <div id="skip">
186 <a href="#main_content" class="section_links">
186 Skip navigation to sections
186 </a>
186 </div>
187 <div id="cookie_bar">
187 We use cookies to track usage and preferences.
187 <a href="https://www.trixonline.co.uk/privacy-policy#cookies">
187 View our Cookie Policy
187 </a>
187 <div id="cookie_agree">
187 I Accept
187 </div>
187 </div>
190 <div id="head_bar">
192 <header>
193 <div id="grey_bar">
194 <div id="logo_holder">
195 <img src="images/client_logo.png" height="85" alt="Bexley Logo"/>
196 </div>
196 </div>
198 <div id="title">
199 <h1>
199 Bexley
199 <span id="h1_sub">
199 Children's Services Procedures Manual
199 </span>
199 </h1>
201 </div>
205 <div id="access_holder">
205 <div id="access_text_hold" onclick="location.href='accessibility.html';">
205 <a href="accessibility.html">
205 Accessibility
205 </a>
205 </div>
205 </div>
206 </header>
207 </div>
208 <nav>
210 <div id="sticky_navigation_wrapper">
211 <div id="sticky_navigation">
212 <div id="demo_container">
213 <div id="menu_toggle">
213 <img src="images/menu_white.png" id="drop_menu_button" height="20" alt="Menu toggle for
Mobile"/>
214 </div>
216 <div id="menu_items">
217 <ul>
218 <li>
218 <a href="index.html">
218 Home
218 </a>
218 </li>
219 <li>
219 <a href="contents.html">
219 Contents
219 </a>
219 </li>
220 <li class="dropdownmenu" id="doubletap1">
221 E958 [WCAG21 4.1.2 (A)] The 'aria-haspopup' attribute is not allowed in this context:
The ARIA specification only allows certain 'aria-...' attributes to be used with certain roles. See ARIA 1.2. <a class="toplink" href="menu.html" aria-haspopup="true">
221 Resources
221 <b>
221 ▾
221 </b>
221 </a>
222 <ul id="port_drop1" aria-label="submenu">
223 <li>
223 <a href="local_resources.html" tabindex="-1">
223 Policy Update
223 </a>
223 </li>
224 <li>
224 <a href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/index.htm" target="_blank"
tabindex="-1">
224 Glossary
224 </a>
224 </li>
225 <li>
225 <a href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_cont/index.htm"
target="_blank" tabindex="-1">
225 Contacts
225 </a>
225 </li>
226 </ul>
227 </li>
228 <li>
228 <a href="using_this_manual.html">
228 Using this Manual
228 </a>
228 </li>
229 <li>
229 <a href="http://www.londoncp.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
229 London Child Protection Procedures
229 </a>
229 </li>
231 </ul>
232 </div>
236 <div id="search">
236 <div id="search_contents">
237 E910 [WCAG21 1.4.4 (AA)] Use relative rather than absolute units:
Using relative units helps the page to be rendered correctly at different resolutions and allows people with sight difficulties to 'zoom in' to pages to read them. See Understanding 1.4.4. <form method="get" action="search_site.php" style="font-size:10px;">
239 <div id="input_holder">
241 W889 [WCAG21 4.1.2 (A)] Avoid using accessible names created from fallback attributes:
An accessible name generated from 'title', 'placeholder' or default values for <input> buttons, typically yields a low quality accessible name. Instead use the recommended way of setting the accessible name for this element. See Avoid Fallback, and Accessible Name Computation. <input type="text" name="zoom_query" placeholder="Search Manual" spellcheck="true" title="search"
class="search_bar">
242 </div>
243 <div id="mag_holder">
244 <input class="imagelink" type="image" src="images/mag_white.png" id="mag_glass"
height="25" alt="Search" title="Search">
246 </div>
246 </form>
246 </div>
246 </div>
248 </div>
251 </div>
253 </div>
258 </nav>
259 <div id="main_content" tabindex="-1">
260 <main>
263 <div id="print_watermark">
263 This document is only valid 72 hours after printing
263 <script>
263 </script>
263 . For the latest version please visit
263 <noscript>
263 the online manual.
263 </noscript>
263 <script>
263 </script>
263 </div>
265 <div id="chapter_title">
268 <div id="print_holder">
272 <div id="new_print">
272 <a onClick="window.print();" tabindex="0" class="imagelink" href="#">
272 <img id="print_img" src="images/print_black.png" height="30" alt="Click here to print"/>
272 </a>
272 </div>
276 <div id="old_print">
276 <form id="printMe" name="printMe">
276 <input class="imagelink" name="printMe" type="image" onclick="printSpecial()"
id="print_img_ie" src="images/print_black.png" height="30" width="33" alt="Print this
page" title="Print Button">
276 </form>
276 </div>
279 </div>
282 <h2>
282 Change of Name of a Looked After Child
282 </h2>
284 </div>
287 <div id="scope_box">
288 <h3>
288 SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER
288 </h3>
289 <p>
289 This procedure applies to all changes of a Looked After child's forename or surname, formal or
informal.
289 </p>
290 <p>
290 Allowing a child to adopt a new forename and/or surname amounts to a change of name and is
therefore covered by this procedure.
290 </p>
291 <h3>
291 AMENDMENT
291 </h3>
292 <p>
292 This chapter was significantly changed throughout in April 2018 and now provides information on a
change of name by Deed Poll.
292 </p>
293 </div>
294 <div id="sections">
295 <h3 id="sections_list">
295 Contents
295 </h3>
296 <ol>
297 <li class="sub_list">
297 <a href="#nec_con">
297 Necessary Consents
297 </a>
297 </li>
298 <li class="sub_list">
298 <a href="#changing">
298 Changing a Name with the Agreement of those with Parental Responsibility
298 </a>
298 </li>
299 <li class="sub_list">
299 <a href="#without">
299 Changing a Name without the Agreement of those with Parental Responsibility
299 </a>
299 </li>
300 </ol>
301 <h3 id="nec_con">
301 1. Necessary Consents
301 </h3>
302 <p>
302 Children aged 16 years or over (with mental capacity) are generally free to apply in their own
right to change their name via deed poll.
302 </p>
303 <p>
303 However where a child is subject to a Care Order, Special Guardianship Order or Child Arrangements
Order, the relevant age is 18. Changing the name of any child under 18 who is subject to any of
these orders requires the written consent of everyone with Parental Responsibility. This applies
whether the person wishing to change the name is the parent or the child. Where consent is not
forthcoming, or all those with Parental Responsibility cannot be found, a court order is required
before the child's name can be changed (see
303 <a href="#without">
303 Section 3, Changing a Name without the Agreement of those with Parental Responsibility
303 </a>
303 ).
303 </p>
304 <p>
304 A child who is accommodated under s.20 Children Act 1989 can apply to change their name at 16 if
there are no private law orders (e.g. no Special Guardianship Order or Child Arrangements Order).
304 </p>
305 Any child who wishes to change their name should be encouraged to discuss the matter carefully with
their Social Worker, parents and/or carers, the Independent Reviewing Officer and any available
advocacy service.
306 <h3 id="changing">
306 2. Changing a Name with the Agreement of those with Parental Responsibility
306 </h3>
307 <p>
307 The social worker should contact the child's parents/carers to seek their written consent to the
child's change of name. Even where the father does not have Parental Responsibility and his
consent is not strictly required, it may still be appropriate that he should be consulted and his
views obtained. The local authority legal adviser should be asked to clarify this, particularly if
there are any unusual circumstances and it is considered undesirable to seek parental consent on
this issue.
307 </p>
308 <p>
308 If those with Parental Responsibility consent, the child's social worker should discuss the matter
with the Designated Manager (Change of Name) to also seek their agreement to the change of name.
The social worker should prepare a written report setting out the reason for the request to change
the name and attach a copy of the parents' written consents. This report should be retained on the
child's case record.
308 </p>
309 <p>
309 When all the necessary consents have been obtained, the social worker (or the child/young person
depending on their age and level of understanding) should download and complete the forms required
for changing a child's name (
309 <a href="http://hmctsformfinder.justice.gov.uk/HMCTS/GetForm.do?court_forms_id=2723"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
309 Minor Deed Poll Pack, HM Courts & Tribunals Service
309 </a>
309 ). There is a small fee to pay.
309 </p>
310 <p>
310 The completed forms and accompanying documents (e.g. written consent from parents/carers) should
be sent to:
310 <br>
311 Queen's Bench Division
311 <br>
312 Action Department
312 <br>
313 The Royal Courts of Justice
313 <br>
314 Strand
314 <br>
315 London
315 <br>
316 WC2A 2LL
316 </p>
317 <h3 id="without">
317 3. Changing a Name without the Agreement of those with Parental Responsibility
317 </h3>
318 <p>
318 Before seeking a court order it is important to first try and seek the agreement of those with
Parental Responsibility.
318 </p>
319 <p>
319 If the child is subject to a Care Order and consent from all those with Parental Responsibility is
not forthcoming, an application to change the child's name would have to be made to the court
under section 33(7) Children Act 1989.
319 </p>
320 <p>
320 If the child is subject to a Child Arrangements Order/Residence Order or Special Guardianship
Order, then an application would have to be made under s.13(1) or s.14C3 CA 1989.
320 </p>
321 <p>
321 Applying for a court order should be a last resort, and the court will expect parties to have
tried to reach an agreement first.
321 </p>
322 <p>
322 In deciding whether to agree to a change of name, the court's paramount consideration will be the
welfare of the child.
322 </p>
323 <h4>
323 Changes of surname
323 </h4>
324 <p>
324 Courts tend to resist consenting to changes of surname, because:
324 </p>
325 <ul>
326 <li>
326 The initial registration of the child's name is considered to be a profound matter, and - other
things being equal - it is in the long-term interests of a child for them to be known by their
birth name;
326 </li>
327 <li>
327 The child's surname is seen as an important link to their birth father or mother and as such is
an important part of the child's identity.
327 </li>
328 </ul>
329 <p>
329 The application to the court must set out clear reasons why it is in the best interests of a
child, to justify a change of surname.
329 </p>
330 <p>
330 The court will take the child's views into account, and if the child him/herself wants to change
surname, the court is more likely to agree.
330 </p>
331 <h4>
331 Changes of first name
331 </h4>
332 <p>
332 If a child is subject to a Care Order/Interim Care Order, and wants to be known by another first
name, then no court order is needed, as the local authority can make the decision to change a
child's first name by exercising their power to determine the extent to which the
parents/guardians may meet their Parental Responsibility under s33(3)(b) Children Act 1989,
provided they are satisfied it is necessary to do so in order to safeguard or promote the
child's welfare.
332 </p>
333 </div>
336 </main>
337 </div>
340 <footer>
341 <div class="footer">
342 <div>
343 <p>
343 <a href="privacypolicy.html">
343 Privacy Policy
343 </a>
343 <br>
344 <span style="font-size:small;">
345 <span id='desktop_button' tabindex='0'>
345 Desktop
345 </span>
345 |
345 <span id='mobile_button' tabindex='0'>
345 Mobile
345 </span>
345 |
345 <span id='responsive_button' tabindex='0' style='text-decoration:underline'>
345 Responsive
345 </span>
345 </span>
345 </p>
347 <div id="trix_logo">
348 <a href="https://www.trixonline.co.uk/" target="_blank" class="imagelink">
348 <img src="images/trixlogo.png" height="40" alt="Tri.x Logo links to Tri.x homepage"/>
348 </a>
349 </div>
350 </div>
351 </div>
353 </footer>
354 <div id="desktoptest">
354 </div>
355 <script>
482 </script>
484 <script>
493 </script>
495 <script>
542 </script>
545 <script>
547 </script>
555 <script>
594 </script>
595 <script type="text/javascript">
595 </script>
597 <script>
636 </script>
640 <script type="text/javascript">
652 </script>
653 </body>
654 </html>