Children Act 1989 Children Act 2004 (Children's Services) Regulations 2005

The Children Act 1989 aimed to ensure that the welfare of the child was paramount, working in partnership with parents to protect the child from harm. The Act was intended to strengthen the child’s legal position; to give him/her equal rights, feelings and wishes; and to ensure children were consulted and kept informed. The Children Act 2004 aims to further improve children’s lives and gives the legal underpinning to ‘Every Child Matters: Change for Children’ (2004).

There have been a few structural changes in response to the Children Act 2004 which mean that, from April 2006, education and social care services for children have been brought together under a director of children's services in each local authority.

The Children and Young Person Act 2008 has also been introduced. Its main purpose is to effect the recommendations set out in the White Paper ‘Care Matters: Transforming the Lives of Children and Young People in Care’and "forms part of the Government's programme to ensure children and young people receive high quality care and support."

The Actincludes provisions in relation to the well-being of children and young people and private fostering. It has a particular focus on older young people in care and those making the transition from care.

Other Acts closely linked to the Children Act are:
a) Protection of Children Act 1999
b) Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
c) Childcare Act 2006