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Child protection system in the UK

The UK’s four nations – England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales – each have their own child protection system and laws to help protect children from abuse and neglect.

Each nation has a framework of legislation, guidance and practice to identify children who are at risk of harm, take action to protect those children and prevent further abuse occurring.

Each UK nation is responsible for its own policies and laws around education, health and social welfare. This covers most aspects of safeguarding and child protection.

Laws are passed to prevent behaviour that can harm children or require action to protect children. Guidance sets out what organisations should do to play their part to keep children safe.

Although the child protection systems are different in each nation, they are all based on similar principles.

 

England

Explains how the child protection system works in England, outlining key legislation and guidance for anyone who works with children and families.

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Northern Ireland

Explains how the child protection system works in Northern Ireland, outlining key legislation and guidance for anyone who works with children and families.

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Scotland

Explains how the child protection system works in Scotland, outlining key legislation and guidance for anyone who works with children and families.

 

 

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Wales

Explains how the child protection system works in Wales, outlining key legislation and guidance for anyone who works with children and families.

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Case reviews

What case reviews are and where to find them. How they are conducted. What we can learn from them.

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History of child protection in the UK

A timeline showing the key changes and developments in child protection legislation in the UK since 1945 to the present day.

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Child protection definitions

An A-Z list explaining key terms used in children protection in the UK.

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Children and the law

Outlines key legislation relating to children and young people including children's rights, age of consent, age of criminal responsibility, school leaving age, child employment and GDPR.

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Multi-agency working child protection

Best practice for child protection practitioners, adults who work or volunteer with children and strategic leads on multi-agency and disciplinary working.

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Gillick competence and Fraser guidelines

Gillick competency and Fraser guidelines are used to help practitioners assess whether a child is mature enough to consent to treatment. Find out more about how they apply.

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