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The protection of children and young people has been a longstanding priority in the UK. The first child protection legislation was introduced in 1933, with some provisions still in effect today.
The current child protection system is primarily based on the Children Act 1989, which applies to England and Wales. Similar principles are reflected in the Children Order 1995 (Northern Ireland) and the Children Act 1995 (Scotland), each with its own specific guidance.
These acts established a unified system for identifying individuals deemed unsuitable to work with children, consolidating previous lists maintained by the Department of Health and the Department of Education. The Children Act 2004 mandated employers to conduct checks through the Disclosure and Barring Service for individuals working in child care roles, making it an offence to employ individuals listed.
The main principle underlying child protection laws is the paramount importance of the child's welfare in all decisions regarding their upbringing. The legislation introduced the concept of parental responsibility, defining the rights, duties, and powers of parents or carers.
The integration of services for children aims to achieve the five outcomes outlined in the Every Child Matters green paper:
The act defines 'harm' broadly, encompassing ill-treatment, including sexual abuse, and the impairment of health or development in various dimensions.
Additionally, several other Acts contribute to the safeguarding of children, which will be explored further in subsequent videos.
