Brought in on a wave of social reform, the 1908 Children's Act is to this day one of the most significant laws for children and young people. It forms the basis of the modern youth justice system in England and Wales, introduced juvenile courts, abolished the death penalty for children under 16 and made child neglect and abuse a criminal offence.
The significance of this new law was so great that when it came into force, the Liberal government even produced public warning posters. These alerted parents to the fact they could now face criminal charges if their child was left in a room with a fire without a fireguard and is then killed or injured.
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
