Protection of Children Act 1999/ Leaving Care Act 2000/ Adoption and Children Act 2002

The Protection of Children Act 1999 introduced the Protection of Children Act List, on which the Secretary of State has a duty to record the names of individuals who are considered unsuitable to work with children. All childcare organisations are now able to check names of prospective employees via the Criminals Records Bureau. The Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 puts a duty on local authorities to assess and meet the needs of 16- and 17-year-old young people who are in care or care leavers and to keep in touch with them until they are at least 21. The Adoption and Children Act 2002 modernised the entire legal framework for both domestic and intercountry adoption.