-
The factory act sought to regulate working hours and improve working conditions where children worked.
-
Compulsory school attendance was introduced for 5-12 year olds
-
The London society for the prevention of cruelty to children id founded to help children, was renamed to the NSPCC and branches were set up around the country.
-
The age of consent was raised from 13 to 16 to protect girls from sexual exploitation.
-
The Prevention of Cruelty to, and Protection of, Children Act was passed allowing police to arrest anyone mistreating a child and enter homes to prevent danger to children.
-
The Children’s Act of 1908 introduced juvenile courts and the Punishment of incest Act made sexual abuse by a family member a legal matter, rather than a church matter.
-
The Children and Young Persons Act combined all child protection laws into a single piece of legislation and added further guidelines, such as the minimum working age for children, which was 14.
-
The Children Act 1948 established a comprehensive childcare service, setting up a children’s committee and appointing a children’s officer in each local authority.
-
ACPCs were developed in England and Wales to coordinate efforts locally to safeguard children at risk.
-
The Children Act 1989 made children’s welfare the paramount concern of the courts. It also centred on the idea that children were best looked after by their families.
-
UK ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). The convention covers all aspects of a child’s life and sets out the rights they are entitled to.
-
The Protection of Children Act 1999 aimed to prevent paedophiles from gaining employment which gave them access to children.
-
The Education Act required school governing bodies, local authorities and further education institutions to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
-
The ECM initiative aimed to help children and young adults stay safe, be healthy, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and achieve economic wellbeing.
-
The Children Act 2004 mandated local authorities to appoint a children’s Director and replace APCP’s with statutory Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs).
-
The statutory guidance (WTSC) was released, outlining interagency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
-
The Children and Families Act 2014 obtained royal assent and became law, giving greater protection to vulnerable children.
-
KCSE statutory guidance was released for schools & education establishments so that they understand the legal duties to safeguard children and young people.
-
The Children and Social Work Act 2017 received Royal Assent. It includes a range of provisions from support for children in care and care leavers, to PHSE education for school pupils.