The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations

Volume 1 of the Children Act Guidance and Regulations, first published in 1991, provides guidance, primarily addressed to local authorities and their staff, about the court-related provisions set out in the Act. Following the Review of the Child Care Proceedings System in England and Wales, published in May 2006, and public consultation on draft guidance between June and September 2007, this revised volume of guidance has been prepared. This replaces the 1991 edition and comes into effect from 1 April 2008.

The guidance is primarily addressed to children services practitioners and front-line managers who, supported by their legal advisers, have particular responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. It is also highly relevant to Directors of Children’s Services and other senior local authority managers, who together oversee the exercise by local authorities of their functions under the Children Act 1989, in relation to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.