Legislation
Children Act 2004
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Overview
How to use this guide
Children’s Commissioner
Joint working
Local Safeguarding Children Boards
Lead Members and Directors of Children’s Services
Local Authority Inspections
Cafcass Wales
Fostering
“Reasonable chastisement”
OVERVIEW
The overall purpose of the Children Act 2004 and the factors driving its development are described as follows by the Explanatory Notes to the Act:
“In September 2003, the government published the Every Child Matters green paper alongside its formal response to the Victoria Climbie inquiry report. The green paper proposed changes in policy and legislation in England to maximise opportunities and minimise risks for all children and young people, focusing services more effectively around the needs of children, young people and families.
The consultation on the green paper showed broad support for the proposals, in particular the intention to concentrate on outcomes that children and young people themselves have said are important, rather than prescribing organisational change. The Act has been produced in the light of this consultation and gives effect to the legislative proposals set out in the Green Paper to create clear accountability for children's services to enable better joint working and to secure a better focus on safeguarding children.
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