The children’s Act 1989
The children’s act 1989 is a British act of parliament that changed the law concerning children; the law introduced the idea of ‘Parental responsibility’ i.e.
The child’s requirements arising from race, culture, language and religion be taken into account.
The best place for a child/young person was to be cared for was within their own home.
If legal proceedings should occur then parents should continue to be involved with their children, even if the parents were separated or divorced.
The welfare of a child should be promoted by a healthy partnership between the local authority and by family involved.
The most important ruling of the children’s act was the welfare of the child and it should be regarded paramount by a court in any question of the child’s upbringing. The following checklist must take place by a court when making a decision about a child’s future;
The wishes and feelings of the child/young person must be taken into consideration and that the child has a chance to expresses their concerns and opinions.
The physical, emotional and the educational needs of a child be taken into thought e.g. could it affect their education if removed from their family due to stress, this could also affect the child physically, losing weight due to unhappiness and upheaval in their lives. Emotionally a child/young person could feel frightened about being alone and separated from parents, the will almost certainly feel insecure and rejected about the transition they will have to make.
Any harm that that the child has already suffered or is at risk of suffering if kept in his/hers present surroundings.
The heart of the children’s act is to offer adequate safeguards to a child/young person who may be at risk and try to protect families and their children from being separated.
United Nations Convention (UNICEF)
In 1989 governments worldwide set out a pledge that all children should have the same rights. These rights were based on what a child needed to survive, grow and to fulfil their potential. They would be regarded the same no matter of who they were or where they can from.
Human rights were founded on;
On reverence or worth of every individual under the age of 18, regardless of race, gender, language or religion.
All organisations involved with children should work together in order to work towards what is best for that child.
That all children have a right to a life and that government should make sure that a child survives and develops properly in order to reach their potential.
A child should not be separated from their parents unless it is absolutely essential e.g; abuse or neglect. If the child has parent’s who are separated then the child should have the right to stay in contact with both parents unless this will cause harm and hurt to the child.
Governments should take steps to stop a child/young person being illegally taken from their country by an abducting parent.
Every child matters
Every child matters was a UK government initiative that was launched in 2003 after the death of Victoria Climbie. Every child matters cover children and young adults up to the age of 19. The aims of this initiative are for every child, whatever their background or circumstance, to have the support they need to;
Physical, mental and emotional well being ~ ‘Be healthy’
Protection from harm and neglect ~ ‘Stay safe’
Education training and recreation ~ ‘Enjoy and achieve’
The contributions made by them to society ~ ‘Make a positive contribution’
Social and economic well being ~ ‘Achieve economic well being’
Each of these themes has a framework attached that requires multi agency partnerships working together to achieve success i.e. early years, children’s social services and schools.
In the past it was believed that children and families received poor services through lack of communication with the appropriate professionals involved. Every child matters changed this view by stressing that all professionals should be aware of the input that could be made by their own and each others service.
Working together to safeguard children
Working together to safeguard children is a government guideline which sets out how organisation’s and individuals should work together to safeguard and encourage the welfare of children and young people in agreement with ‘the children act 1989’ and ‘the children act 2004. Working together is designed for professionals who have particular responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The key of this guideline is that professionals caring for young people must work together to improve children’s and young people’s lives. They must respect and listen to what children and young people have to say and involve all parties when making decisions.
Common assessment framework (CAF)
A common assessment framework is an approach taken when conducting an assessment of a child/young person’s needs and deciding how these needs should be met. All professionals involved with children have developed this for use so that they can communicate and work more effectively together. CAF supports early intervention by providing a guideline that enables professionals in specific services to assess the needs of a child/young person and to look for other services that can help. A CAF is essential for professionals to identify any sign that a child may be in need of extra support, to then assess that child’s needs and gather information for relevant agencies. A framework was designed to help local authorities to work alongside families to promote the upbringing of a child/young person. The children’s act provided frameworks for local authorities to develop effective strategies and policies in which to work. It can also be used for recording and sharing information to agencies and specialist services to use their resources where they are needed most.
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Introduction to child protection legislation in the UK - NSPCC
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