Legislation

• The Children Act 2004

  • Main law covering childcare and protection in England and Wales
  • Outlines the obligations of local governments, the police, and other organisations with regards to safeguarding children
  • Made it illegal to harm a child
• Protection of Children Act 1999

  • To prevent unsuitable people from working with children
  • Mandates that childcare facilities inform the Department of Health the names and contact information of anyone who may be harming or endangering children.
  • This information is passed onto the Disclosure ad Barring Service (DBS)
  • The DBS can ensure that these people are not permitted to work with children
• Working Together to Protect Children

  • Outlines how authorities should collaborate to safeguard children.
  • Outlines the obligations of numerous institutuions, agencies and individuals
  • Outlines the execution of a successful safeguarding system.
• The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

  • Outlines how each employee is responsible for ensuring workplace health and safety
• Childcare Act 2006

  • Focuses on achieving Every Child Matters’ “Five Outcomes” for children in the early years
  • Introduced the Early Years Foundation Stage in 2008
• Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (MHOR)

  • Offers instructions for lifting and carrying children
  • Incudes safe techniques and methods for assessing the risks
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2004 (COSHH)

  • Protects children from dangerous chemicals
  • Regulations about the stator age and use of substances
• Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR)

  • Describes the processes for informing the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Health Protection Agency (HPA) of accidents, injuries And infectious diseases
• The Food Hygiene Regulations 2006

  • Explains the guidelines for food preparation, storage and cooking
  • Explains the requirements for staff food hygiene training
• Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage

  • Outlines the providers’ legal obligations to promote the health, safety and well being of children (ages 0-5)
• Children Act 1989

  • Offers a thorough framework for the protection and care of all children and young people
  • Local governments have a specific obligation to protect and promote the welfare of every child they are trusted with caring for
  • Gives local authorities the right to request assistance from other agencies as they carry out they carry out their duties
• Children and Young Persons Act 2008

  • Strengthens the legal foundation for the care system
  • Establishes the framework necessary for children to receive high-quality care and support
  • Requires local governments to take action to ensure that there is enough adequate housing in their area
• Care Standards Act 2000

  • Regards the welfare, health and illnesses of children who are cared for in establishments under the Act’s regulation
• Mental Health Act 2007

  • States that hospital administrators make sure that patients under 18 years who are admitted for a mental disorder are accommodated in an appropriate setting
• The Disability Discrimination Act 1995

  • Requires employers to make reasonable adjustments for employees with disabilities
• The Human Rights Act 1998

  • Protects the human rights of individuals in the UK
  • Includes the right to freedom from discrimination, the right to respect for private and family life, the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and the right to freedom of expression
• The Equality Act 2010

  • Prohibits discrimination, harassment, and victimisation in the workplace
  • Applies to all employees and employers, regardless of the size of the organisation
• The Care Act 2014

  • Aims to make care and support clear and fair and put wellbeing at the centre of decisions
• The Health and Social Care Act 2012

  • Sets out to give patients a greater voice in their cre by modernising NHS care
• The Data Protection Act 2018

  • Controls how personal information is used by organisations, businesses and the government
• The Freedom of Information Act 2000

  • A framework for the sharing of information that is stored by the government and local authorities that is in the public interest