Devon County Council

There are various laws which affect children. Some give children particular rights, others are to protect them from harm. Below is a brief summary of some of the main legislation and 'sections' that can be found within:

Children Act 1989

This Act covers:

• Duty to investigate children in need or at significant harm
• Emergency Protection Orders (S44)
• Care and Supervision Orders
• Residence Orders (S8)
• Welfare checklist
• Secure Accommodation Orders
• Family Assistance Order

Adoption Act 1976

• The Act which allows children to be placed for adoption.

Protection of Children Act 1999

• The Act creates a system for identifying persons considered to be unsuitable to work with children.

Criminal Justice & Court Services Act 2000

This Act:

• Creates new National Probation Service and Children and Family Court Advisory & Support Service.
• Prevention of unsuitable people working with children.
• Probation Orders, Community Service Orders, Combination Orders and Electronic Monitoring.
• Penalties for parents who do not send their children to school regularly.

Sexual Offences Act 2003

This Act

• Aims to further protect children and people with a mental disorder from sexual crimes
• Widens the definition of rape
• Defines consent
• Amends and extends the existing abuse of position of trust offences.
• Strengthens the Sex Offenders Register

Find out more:

• Summary of most of the above legislation and other law relating to children.
• United Nations Convention of Rights of the Child.