Child protection in the UK

Key points with regard to child protection:

• Informed by findings from the 1988 Cleveland inquiry and other inquiries, such as that following the death of Jasmine Beckford (1985) and Tyra Henry (1985)
• Act 'remains fundamental to the practice of child protection' (Corby, Shemmings, and Wilkins, 2012:43)
• States that the child's welfare is paramount: in all circumstances, the child's welfare must remain the focus. This judgement is based on evidence gathered within the welfare checklist, section 1 of the Children Act 1989
• The child's wishes and feelings must be taken into account
• Introduced the concept of 'parental responsibility'. Some say that this acknowledges the importance of children being cared for within the family and the importance of the parental role. It charges the local authority (LA) with the duty to investigate in relation to harm (S.17/47)
• S.47 – 'If they (LA) have reasonable cause to suspect that a child who lives, or is found, in their area is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm' (Holt, 2014:19)
• S.17 – 'Services for children in need, their families and others'

Key points with regards to child protection:

Under section 175:

• LAs must make arrangements to ensure that their functions are exercised, with a view to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
• The governing body of a maintained school must make arrangements to ensure that their functions relating to the conduct of the school are exercised, with a view to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children who are pupils at the school

Key points with regards to child protection:

• Informed by the Laming report (2003)
• Ensures integrated services for children
• Children's Commissioners are appointed to represent the best interests of the children
• LAs are required to set up statutory Local Safeguarding Children Boards to represents the best interests of the children
• Legislated the 'Every Child Matters' agenda (2003), ensuring children's holistic well-being:
  • be healthy
  • stay safe
  • enjoy and achieve
  • make a positive contribution
  • achieve economic well-being

Key points with regards to child protection:

• All relevant parties should have regard to s.26 'Prevent Duty'
• Staff must identify children subject to radicalisation
• This is one of the newer responsibilities placed on practitioners

Key points with regards to child protection:

• The Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel was established to review and report on serious child protection cases that are complex or of national importance (Sections 12 to 15)
• Previous model of Local Safeguarding Children's Boards (LSCBs) replaced by local safeguarding partners, who publish reports on local safeguarding practice reviews (Section 17)
• Child death review partners are required to review each death of a child normally resident in their area, identifying any matters relevant to public health and safety and to children locally (Section 24)