The Children Act

The Children Act 1989
The Children Act 1989 was designed to promote the interests of all children and to represent the most fundamental reform that Century, of legislation affecting children. It reflects the way society wants to see children brought up and protected. It draws together public and private laws and simplifies existing legislation relating to children, producing a more practical and consistent code.

What are the main principles of the Act?

The welfare of the child is the paramount consideration in most court proceedings;
Wherever possible, children should be brought up and cared for within their own families;
Children should be safe and be protected by effective intervention if they are in danger but this should be open to challenge by parents in the courts;
When dealing with children, courts should ensure that delay is avoided, and may only make an order if to do so is better for the child than making no order at all;
Children should be...