Child Care Law
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
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