The Importance Of The Children Act 2004

In 1989 the Children Act was introduced which ensured that the welfare of the child was the most important factor in any situation. The aim of the act, which continues to be an important part of the current legislation, is to
• Balance the need to protect a child with the rights of the parents
• Encourage a collaboration with the authorities and parents
• Restructure the proceedings in family courts
• Clarify the concept of parental responsibility
The Every Child Matters guidelines and the Children Act 2004 were introduced following a damning report on the death of Victoria Climbe.
The main focus is to ensure that
• There are closer working relationships between all agencies dealing with the welfare of children
• There is an independent commissioner for England to protect children’s rights
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The Children’s Act ensured that these requirements became a legal requirement. In addition the document -DFE-00130-2015 Working together to safeguard children- sets out how individuals and organisations should work together to safeguard children.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) is an international treaty that defines the rights of all children and young people. This includes,
• The right to education and health services
• The right to grow up in an environment of happiness love and understanding
• The right to develop their personality and talent to their own potential
• The right to special protection and