Legislation information
The Children Act 1989
The 1989 Children Act brings Britain closer to the objectives in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. It is concerned with families and care of children, local authority support for children and their families, foster homes, child minding, day care and supervision.
The Children Act 2004
The Every Child Matters Green Paper proposed changes in policy and legislation in England to maximise opportunities and minimise risks for all children and young people - focusing services more effectively around the needs of children, young people and families. The Act gives effect to the legislative proposals set out in the Green Paper to create clear accountability for children's services, to enable better joint working and to secure a better focus on safeguarding children.
Read the Children Act 2004 online.
The Crime and Disorder Act 1998
The purpose of the Act is to tackle crime and disorder and help create safer communities. The Act places obligations on local authorities, the police, police authorities, health authorities and probation committees (amongst others) to cooperate in the development and implementation of a strategy for tackling crime and disorder in their area. These organisations have to consider changed working practices, internal priorities and their relationships both with other agencies and with the wider community.
Read the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 online.
The Data Protection Act 1998
The 1998 Act applies to computerised personal data and personal data held unstructured manual files. It applies to anything at all done to personal data ('processing'), including collection, use, disclosure, destruction and merely holding personal data. The Act gives significant rights to individuals in respect of personal data held about them by data controllers.
Read the Data Protection Act 1998 online.
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995
The 1995 Disability Discrimination Act says unlawful discrimination occurs when a disabled person is treated less favourably than someone else because of their disability. The full introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act means that organisations must take reasonable steps to change practices, policies and procedures which make it impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled people to use a service; and to provide auxiliary aids for services by a reasonable alternative method which would enable disabled people to use a service and overcome physical barriers.
The Education Act 2002
The Act implements the legislative commitments set out in the White Paper Schools - Achieving Success. It is a substantial and important piece of legislation intended to raise standards, promote innovation in schools and reform education law.
Read the Education Act 2002 online.
The Freedom of Information Act 2000
Under the Act, anybody may request information from a public authority which has functions in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. The Act confers two statutory rights on applicants: to be told whether or not the public authority holds that information; and if so, to have that information communicated to them.
Read the Freedom of Information Act 2000 online.
The Human Rights Act 1998
The Act incorporates the rights and freedoms guaranteed under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) into domestic law. All public authorities (and private authorities when they are exercising public functions) in the UK are required to act compatibly with ECHR.
Learning and Skills Act 2000
The Act is a significant piece of legislation which, amongst other reforms, established the Learning and Skills Council, setting out its duty to secure provision of education and training for young people and adults and to encourage employers and individuals to participate.
The Special Educational Needs (SEN) Code of Practice 2001.
In November 2001, a revision of the Code of Practice was issued, replacing the code of 1994. The purpose of the Code is to give practical advice to LEAs, head teachers and governors of schools and early education practitioners on carrying out their statutory duties to identify, assess and make provision for children’s special educational needs. The advice is also aimed at other interested parties such as social services and health professionals.
Read the Learning and Skills Act 2000 online.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989
It identifies that children need special care and protection and that the family is the main form of protection for children. It emphasises the need for legal protection for the child before and after birth and the importance of respecting the cultural values of a child’s community. It emphasises the important role that international cooperation can play in achieving children’s rights.
Read the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 online.