The Local Authorities Act 1972 entrusts to the counties responsible for the protection of children the task of putting in place the necessary services. The child welfare provisions of the Act have been clarified by the 1989 and 2004 Acts relating to children. The 1989 Children's Act gives important powers to the judge in cases where the protection of the child cannot be provided in the administrative framework.
Since the end of 2003, the government has been working to improve the situation of children, in particular the protection of minors in danger. It is in this context that the Children's Act 2004 was adopted. Its main objective is to transform child welfare services through structural reforms and by establishing cooperation mechanisms between the administrative departments concerned and between the latter and all the actors on the ground.
The administrative body responsible for the protection of children
If you are seeking child protection jobs in UK then this is important for you to know. Child welfare falls within the jurisdiction of the county or the community in which it takes place (1 (*)). Local and regional authorities are not organized in the same way throughout the territory. In general, they are structured in two levels: districts and counties. However, in urban areas, there is only one level of community, whose competencies extend to a whole agglomeration and whose name varies. The counties entrust the protection of children to their social services, whose general organization is governed by the law of 1970 on the social services of local authorities. This is the area where most of child protection jobs in UK are created.
The competencies and obligations of child welfare services are defined mainly in the 1989 and 2004 laws relating to children. The various services also apply the requirements laid down by the various administrative documents of the Ministry of Education, such as the one published in 2006 entitled Working together to protect children. The exchange of information between the administrative departments concerned and the collaboration with the family are favoured.
Thus, in all cases where a child is in serious danger, this document provides for the organization of a meeting between the child protection services, the police and other relevant administrative services, in particular school and health. This meeting makes it possible to decide whether or not to take protective measures. These are, in principle, "light" measures: advice, supervision, etc. If necessary, the participants in the meeting may decide to refer the matter to the judge for urgent action. They may also conclude that a social inquiry is necessary in accordance with the 1989 Children's Act.
Since the end of 2003, the government has been working to improve the situation of children, in particular the protection of minors in danger. It is in this context that the Children's Act 2004 was adopted. Its main objective is to transform child welfare services through structural reforms and by establishing cooperation mechanisms between the administrative departments concerned and between the latter and all the actors on the ground.
The administrative body responsible for the protection of children
If you are seeking child protection jobs in UK then this is important for you to know. Child welfare falls within the jurisdiction of the county or the community in which it takes place (1 (*)). Local and regional authorities are not organized in the same way throughout the territory. In general, they are structured in two levels: districts and counties. However, in urban areas, there is only one level of community, whose competencies extend to a whole agglomeration and whose name varies. The counties entrust the protection of children to their social services, whose general organization is governed by the law of 1970 on the social services of local authorities. This is the area where most of child protection jobs in UK are created.
The competencies and obligations of child welfare services are defined mainly in the 1989 and 2004 laws relating to children. The various services also apply the requirements laid down by the various administrative documents of the Ministry of Education, such as the one published in 2006 entitled Working together to protect children. The exchange of information between the administrative departments concerned and the collaboration with the family are favoured.
Thus, in all cases where a child is in serious danger, this document provides for the organization of a meeting between the child protection services, the police and other relevant administrative services, in particular school and health. This meeting makes it possible to decide whether or not to take protective measures. These are, in principle, "light" measures: advice, supervision, etc. If necessary, the participants in the meeting may decide to refer the matter to the judge for urgent action. They may also conclude that a social inquiry is necessary in accordance with the 1989 Children's Act.
