In 1989 governments worldwide adopted the UN Convention on the rights of children, the convention recognises the human rights of children and young people, this includes any person under the age of 18 years old. These rights are based on what a child needs to survive, grow, participate and fulfil their potential in life irrespective of race, gender,religion,language,background,wealth or ability. All children have the right to express their views and to also have them listened to, children have the right to care and services to support disabled children or children living away from home, and also having the right to protection from hurt, violence, abuse and neglect. This applies equally to every child, regardless of who they are or where they come from. The UN convention for children is the most complete statement of children’s rights ever produced,it sets out in detail what every child will need to have for a safe,happy and fulfilling childhood.
Each school must produce a range of policies which formally sets out the guidelines and procedures for ensuring equality. These must take account the rights of all individuals and groups within the school. Disability Discrimination Act 1995 Protects the rights of all those with disabilities. It also places a duty on schools (and other organisations) to eliminate barriers to ensure that individuals can gain equal access to services. (amended Act 2005).This builds on the 1995 Act it places a duty for schools to produce a Disability Equality Scheme (DES) and an access Plan.
The United Nations Convention on the rights of the child (1989) this treaty sets out the rights and freedoms of all children in a set of 54 articles included in those rights are those which children ensure that children are safe and looked after. Article 19 states children rights to be “protected from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation including sexual abuse by those looking after them. Those countries which signed up to the treaty including the UK in 1991 are legally bound to implement legislation which supports each of the articles. Children’s act 1989- This act identifies the responsibilities of parents and professionals who must work to ensure the safety of the child. This act includes two important sections which focus specifically on child protection.
The Main Current Legislation, Guidelines, Policies And Procedures Within Own UK Home Nation For Safeguarding Children And Young People. United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) This international agreement sets out the minimum standards for protecting children’s rights and refers to all children up to the age of 18 years old. The Convention defines the basic human rights of all children and specifies 13 basic rights. Each child has the right to: 1. Life 2.
This was introduced by the Labour party, who Lewis argues have taken on the idea of ‘social investment in children’ seriously and have realised family forms are changing. The Labour party have introduced a number of laws, attempting to strengthen the family unit. They were mainly concerned on helping the social and economic position of women, for example, marital rape was made illegal in 1991 by the Labour party. The rights of children have also been improved by the labour party due to the children’s act of 1989. New right thinkers however; believe that these laws undermine the traditional male dominance in families, but many believe these new policies for women and children strengthen the family rather than weaken it.
The main current legislations and guidelines that apply within own UK Home Nation are: • UNCRC 2003 • Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage 2008 • Children Act 1989 • Children Act 2004 • Protection of children Act 1999 • Police Act 1997 • Working together to safeguard Children 2010. The United Nations Convention on the rights of the child (UNCRC) states that all children have the right to have their voices heard - weather this is on activities plans or what is happening in their lives, they should be allowed to express all their filings, anger, sadness, happiness, etc. so that they trust to say everything bad that is happening in their lives. Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage 2008 sates
1.3 - Explain the importance of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the first legally binding international instrument to incorporate the full range of human rights—civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights. In 1989, world leaders decided that children needed a special convention just for them because people under 18 years of age often need special care and protection than adults do not. The leaders also wanted to make sure that the world recognised that children have human rights too. The Convention sets out these rights in 54 articles and two Optional Protocols. It spells out the basic human rights that children everywhere have: the right to survival; to develop to the fullest; to protection from harmful influences, abuse and exploitation; and to participate fully in family, cultural and social life.
Primary legislation Children Act (1989 s47) Protection of Children Act (1999) Data Protection Act (1998) The Children Act (Every Child Matters) (2004) Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act (2006) The Children Act (1989 s47) resulted in the policies and procedures for Safeguarding and Child Protection – the structural organization of the child protection system was amended further by the introduction of The Children Act (Every Child Matters) (2004). The main principles of the 1989 Act are: • the welfare of children must be the paramount consideration when the courts are making decisions about them; • the concept of parental responsibility has replaced that of parental rights; • children have the ability to be parties, separate from their parents, in legal proceedings; • local authorities are charged with duties to identify children in need and to safeguard and promote their welfare; • certain duties and powers are conferred upon local authorities to provide services for children and families; • a checklist of factors must be considered by the courts before reaching decisions; • orders under this Act should not be made unless it can be shown that this is better for the child than not making an order; • delay in deciding questions concerning children is likely to prejudice their welfare. In 2003, the Laming Report (into the death of Victoria Climbie) resulted in a green paper (Every Child Matters) which in turn led to The Children Act (2004). The main provisions of the act are summarized in ‘The Guardian): • Creates the post of a Children's Commissioner for England. • Enables the government to create an electronic record of every child in England, Scotland and Wales to make it easier to trace children across local authorities and government services.
Children and Young Peoples Workforce – Level 3 Unit 025 – Understanding how to safeguard the wellbeing of children and young people Outcome 1 025-1-1 Some of the legislation/guidelines in place at present regarding safeguarding are: The Children Act 1989, this act was put in place to ensure that everyone who works with children is aware of their responsibilities. It did this by making the law simpler in regards to child protection. The children Act 2004, this act was put in place after the death of Victoria Climbie, as a result of the Laming report and the ‘Every Child Matters’ framework. This act requires different agencies and services to work together and also made sure that every local authority appointed a Director of Children’s Services and the creation of Local Safeguarding Children’s Boards who were responsible for ensuring the safeguarding and protection of children and young people. The Vetting and Barring Scheme, The scheme was originally introduced in 2009 and as of 2010 put in place that anyone who works or volunteers with children, young people and venerable adults must undergo an enhanced CRB (Now DBS) check.
TDA 2.2 Safeguarding 1. Current Legislation to safeguard children: The UN convention on the rights of the child (1989) This act sets out the right and freedoms of all children in a set of 54 articles included in those rights are those which ensure that children are safe and looked after. Article 19 states children’s rights to be protected from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation including sexual abuse by those caring for them. Those countries, which signed up to the treaty, including the UK 1991, are legally bound to implement legislation, which supports each of the articles. Children’s Act 1989 This act identifies the responsibilities for parents and professionals to ensure the safety of children.