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Understanding the Children’s Acts: A comprehensive guide for all sectors The Children’s Acts are the cornerstone of child protection and welfare legislation in the UK, setting out clear responsibilities for professionals across education, healthcare, social services, law enforcement, and voluntary organisations. Understanding these laws is essential for ensuring the safety, well-being, and rights of children in all settings. This guide explores the key principles of the Children Act 1989 and the Children Act 2004, how they apply across different sectors, and what professionals need to know to remain compliant.   The Children Act 1989: The Foundation of Child Protection The Children Act 1989 established a child-centred approach to law, placing the welfare of the child as paramount in all decisions affecting them. This Act applies to all professionals working with children and sets out legal duties and responsibilities to safeguard and promote their welfare. Key provisions of the act...

  Staffing and employment advice for schools – November 2024 Introduction This advice helps school employers with staffing and employment issues, offering guidance based on the School Staffing (England) Regulations 2009 for maintained schools, and the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 for independent schools, academies, and free schools. It highlights relevant legislation and up-to-date guidance, including statutory guidance. However, it is not exhaustive, and following it does not exempt governing bodies, academy trusts, or local authorities from their legal duties as employers under other legislation. Who is the advice for? This advice is for: School leaders, school staff and governing bodies in all maintained schools and academies Local authorities Academy trusts   Appointing Staff Governors and school leaders should plan new staff appointments with a focus on curriculum-led financial planning over a 3 to 5-year period, including re...

Violence against women and girls remains one of the most extensive human rights violations worldwide. It crosses borders, cultures, and social classes, affecting millions and continuing cycles of inequality and oppression. Despite global efforts to address this issue, it persists as a significant barrier to achieving gender equality and sustainable development. Understanding the Scope of the Problem The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that 1 in 3 women globally has experienced physical or sexual violence in her lifetime, most often at the hands of an intimate partner. Additionally, practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage, and human trafficking disproportionately affect girls and women, stripping them of their rights and opportunities. Violence takes many forms, including: Physical violence , such as assault and domestic abuse. Sexual violence , including rape, sexual assault, and harassment. Emotional and psychological abuse ,...

  Introduction Children’s social care plays a transformative role in improving lives by supporting families, helping children thrive, and offering opportunities for the best life outcomes. It empowers extended families to participate in a child’s upbringing and provides safe, high-quality placements for children unable to stay at home, aiding recovery from trauma, abuse, and neglect. Additionally, it supports the wellbeing of disabled children and their families through early help, short breaks, and long-term care plans. Overview The government prioritises keeping children with their families whenever possible, using evidence-based approaches such as family group decision-making and multi-agency child protection teams to prevent unnecessary entry into the care system. Where care is necessary, kinship and foster placements are favoured over residential care, particularly for children in complex circumstances. Efforts aim to reform the care market by ending exploitative profit-ma...

Domestic Abuse Act Statutory Guidance – November 2024 Introduction Domestic abuse is a cruel, complex issue affecting people of all backgrounds and leaving lasting physical and emotional impacts. The 2019-2020 Crime Survey for England and Wales reported that 2.3 million adults experienced domestic abuse, with most victims being female. Recognising that anyone can be affected, the 2021 Act introduces a statutory definition of domestic abuse and includes case studies to illustrate its various forms. Abuse often remains hidden, affecting victims in subtle and sustained ways. The guidance has been developed with input from sector experts, commissioners, academics, and frontline professionals.   Chapter 1 – Objectives of the Act The 2021 Act aims to address domestic abuse through several key measures: Promote Awareness : Introduces a statutory definition of domestic abuse, recognising economic abuse and children as victims. Protect and Support Victims : Establishes the Domesti...