Following the death of Dennis O’Neill who aged 12 was killed by his foster father, the Curtis Committee was set up in 1946 to examine the conditions of children deprived of a normal family life which resulted in the Children Act 1948 (Hill, 2003). The main principles of the Act included establishing Local Authority Children’s departments staffed by childcare officers, promoting foster rather than residential care and where possible rehabilitating children back to their families (Hendrick, 2003).
Since that time, key legislation for children and families is The Children Act 1989. The Act was implemented following numerous inquiries into child deaths and child sexual abuse carried out in the 1970’s and 1980’s together with the need for clearer guidance in laws and bringing together both public and private laws relating to children. The fundamental principles of The Act addressed the balance between child protection and family support services introducing the concept of a ‘child in need’ and emphasised parental responsibility rather than focusing on parental rights. The Act addressed a wide range of issues including provision for children in a variety of care settings, although more importantly addressed the need for children’s wishes to be taken into consideration (Jowitt & O’Loughlin, 2006).
Victoria Climbié aged 8 years old, died from no less than 128 injuries she had received at the hands of her carers in February 2000. The subsequent investigatory inquiry into her death conducted by Lord Laming discovered many instances where professionals including line managers had failed to fulfil their roles and numerous flaws where professional networks had failed to protect Victoria during the last months of her life. Laming also criticised the lack of professionalism and cooperation between agencies (Laming, 2003 Section 1.30).
Lord Laming’s inquiry, The Laming Enquiry, lay the foundations for the ‘Every Child Matters’ Green Paper published in 2003. The Governments response to the Laming Enquiry was almost immediate with the production of the Green Paper ‘Every Child Matters’ which focused on four key themes. These included supporting families where a need is identified and early intervention in relation to child protection (Every Child Matters, 2006). In conjunction with Every Child Matters is The Children Act 2004, which is in addition to the original Act 1989. The Act encompasses several components based on recommendations from the Laming Report and is responsible for promoting a partnership between agencies working with children including health, education and social care in a more cohesive manner (Allen, 2008).
Following the publication of the Green Paper Every Child Matters, came the “Common Assessment Framework” (CAF) (Every Child Matters, 2006). CAF focuses on early intervention for children in need and although consent driven, can be initiated by any professional concerned about a child. A single lead professional would be nominated by the child or family and would be responsible for putting together a package of services to meet the child’s needs. The lead professional would also decide whether concerns by other practitioners along with information gathered warranted intervention and would be responsible for the sharing of information between all persons involved on a need to know basis (Parton, 2006).
Every Child Matters also implemented ‘Local Safeguarding Children Boards’ (LSCB) as the “…statutory successors of area child protection committees” (Parton, 2006, p159). LSCB’s are a statutory organisation in every Local Authority tasked with various roles and responsibilities. These include agreeing how different organisations in their local area co-operate to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, provide single and inter-agency training and guidance for recruiting people applying to work with children (Department of Health, 2006. Section 3.3 – 26).
Changes to the child protection register where also implemented following Every Child Matters. From April 1st 2008 the child protection register was abolished and any child previously included on the register is now known as ‘A Child who is subject to a Child Protection Plan’. Case conferences and Core Groups will still be held for children who are at continuing risk of significant harm, however discussion will no longer be in favour for or against registration, but if the child should remain ‘subject to a Child protection Plan’ (Oldham LSCB, 2006). A Child Protection Plan is agreed between where appropriate the child, parents and all professionals involved. The plan should outline what needs to change, how this will be achieved and by who, with realistic timescales to implement changes and a contingency plan should this fail (DOH Working Together, 2006. Section 5).
In conclusion, whilst researching Social Policy it is salient to recognise most changes in legislation to protect children derive from failings by both professionals and family members to protect children. Legislation however, is crucial to developing policies for practitioners to work within and protect both service users and professionals. Guidelines that assist to working more effectively with families are continually evolving in order to achieve better outcomes.
Word Count: 1098
References.
Allen, N. (2008) Making Sense of the Children Act 1989, 4th ed. West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons.
Corby, B. (2006) Child Abuse, Towards a Knowledge Base. Berkshire: Open University Press.
Department of Health (DOH) (2006) ‘Working Together To Safeguard Children, Every Child Matters, Change for Children.’ London: SO
Every Child Matters (2006) [online] Available at: 14.04.2008]
Hendrck, H. (2003) Child Welfare, Historical Dimensions, Contemporary Debate. Bristol: Policy Press.
Hill, M. (2003) Understanding Social Policy, 7th ed. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.
Jowitt, M. & O’Loughlin, S. (2006) Social Work with Children & Families. Exeter: Learning Matters.
Laming, L. (2003) ‘The Victoria Climbié Inquiry’. London: SO
NSPCC (2006) [online] Available at: http://www.nspcc.org.uk/whatwedo/aboutthenspcc/historyofnspcc/historyofnspcc_wda33149.html [Accessed 23.03.2008]
Oldham LSCB (2006) [online] Available at:
Parton, N. (2006) Safeguarding Childhood, Early Intervention and Surveillance in a Late Modern Society. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.
Walsh,M. Stephens,P. Moore,S. ((2000) Social Policy and Welfare. Cheltenham: Stanley Thorne Publishers.
RSPCA (2008) [online] Available at: [Accessed 19.05.2008]