UK law regarding children: essentials for the paediatrician

UK law affecting children is based on the principles of the Children Act 1989 which, for the first time in legislation affecting children, made child welfare the paramount consideration. It aimed to strike a balance between protecting and promoting child welfare by avoiding unjustified state interference in family life and decisions. It provided greater safeguards for children in state care (looked after by the local authority) and enshrined in law the need to consider the wishes and feelings of the child. Further legislation in 2002 brought adoption law in line with the ‘paramountcy’ principles of the Children Act 1989, made it possible for unmarried couples to adopt jointly, and allowed ‘special guardianship’ orders. The Children Act 2004 placed Local Safeguarding Children Boards on a statutory footing, replacing the work of Area Child Protection Committees.