The Children Act 1989 continues to be regarded as a landmark piece of legislation. It is credited as a pioneering attempt to create a child-centred approach to the welfare of children and young people. Introduced by Lord Mackay of Clashfern, Lord Chancellor in Margaret Thatcher's government, the act ushered in a raft of reforms and guidance for those working with children (see box below).
The principal changes included protecting children who may be at risk of harm; thinking first about what is best for that child when making a decision about their welfare; and the importance of children being brought up in their own family whenever possible. But exactly two decades on, has it stood the test of time and achieved all it set out to?
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
