| Administrative History | DRAFT
1889
The first act of parliament for the prevention of cruelty to children, commonly known as the “children’s charter” was passed. This enabled the state to intervene for the first time, in relations between parents and children. Police could arrest anyone found ill-treating a child and enter a home is a child was thought to be in danger. The act included guidelines on the employment of children and outlawed begging.
1894
The act was amended and extended. It allowed children to give evidence in court, mental cruelty was recognised and it became an offence to deny a sick child medical attention.
1908
The children’s act established juvenile courts and introduced the registration of foster parents. The Punishment of Incest Act made sexual abuse within families a matter for state jurisdiction rather than intervention by the clergy.
1932
The Children and YP act broadened the powers of juvenile courts and introduced supervision orders for children at risk. The following year a further act brought together all existing child protection law into a single piece of legislation
1974
The inquiry into the death of Maria Cowell at the hands of her stepfather highlighted a serious lack of coordination among services responsible for child welfare. Its report led to the development of Area Child Protection Committees (ACPCs) in England and Wales which coordinate local efforts to safeguard children at risk.
1989
Children Act gave every child the right to protection from abuse and exploitation and the right to inquiries to safeguard their welfare. Its central tenant was that children are usually best looked after within their family. The act came into force in E&W in 1991 and – with some differences – in NI.
1991
Staff guidance on working together under the Children Act required ACPCs to conduct an investigation to establish whether child protection procedures were followed when child abuse if suspected or confirmed to be the cause of a child’s death. Updated 1999.
[1986 Client Index/Mainframe used by social service area offices, not by family support centres and residential homes who had a paper admission and discharges record.
1995
Children (Scotland) Act incorporated the three key principles of the UN Convention on the rights of the child into Scottish law: protection from discrimination, ensuring that child welfare is a primary concern and listening to children’s views.
1999
Protection of Children Act aiming to prevent paedophiles from working with children. It requires childcare organisations in England and Wales to inform the Department of Health about anyone known to them who is suspecting of harming children or putting them at risk. Similar act Scotland 2003.
2001
Then Scottish education minister Jack McConnell ordered a review of child protection in Scotland following the inquiry into murder of 3-year-old Kennedy McFarlane. An audit published the following year found that half of all children at risk of abuse and neglect in the country fail to receive adequate protection. 2 years later children’s chart.
2003
January: Lord Laming published his report into the death of child abuse victim Victoria Climbie which found that health, police and social services missed 12 opportunities to save her
June: Margaret Hodge is appointed first children’s minister
September: 'Every Child Matters' green paper proposes electronic tracking system for E’s children, 150 children’s trusts to be set up by 2006, amalgamating health, education and children’s services, statutory safeguarding boards to replace ACPCs and a children’s commission for England.
2004
Children Act pushes forward main proposals of green papers – electronic children’s files, children’s directors and childrens’ commissioner. But it allows LAs more flexibility in organising their children’s services, with the amalgamation of education and social services no longer mandatory. Councils are also given another two years to set up children’s trusts
2005
Prof Al Aynsley Green first children’s commissioner, other govt changes.
2005
17 Jan Frameworki implementation date, children’s cases only. Paper files ceased as all documents scanned to FWI
2006 statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children
2010
Statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children released, outlines the ways in which organisations and individuals should work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people in accordance with 1989 and 2004 Childrens Acts
2011
Prof Eileen Munro’s review of child protection practice in E, a “child-centred system” was published. 15 recommendations all concentrated on reducing box ticking and central govt prescription in social work practice increasing focus on needs of child.
2013
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2013 released
2014
Implementation of single assessment for MATs and social covering Early Help assessment and section 47
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