The Children Act 1989: This Act is an important piece of legislation due to its focus on safeguarding children and the duties of local authorities. It ensures that the welfare of children is paramount; it also identifies the responsibility of parents and of those who work with children to ensure the safety of the child. The UNCRC: This is an international human rights treaty which sets out the rights of all children to be treated equally. Under the treaty there is a list of rights to which every child under the age of 18 should be entitled. These include the full range of human rights. The Every Child Matters guidelines led to the Children Act 2004. The guidelines came about due to the Larning Report following the death of Victoria Climbíe.
School specific regulatory bodies (such as OFSTED) are responsible for carrying out inspections of colleges, children’s homes and schools to ensure that the quality of the service provided is adequate for every individual child and young person. During an inspection they will gather evidence based on the practice they are observing as well as what they learn from the people using the service. They then use this evidence and other information that is gathered to make a professional judgement on the service offered and it will then be published in an Ofsted report. The report will contain the quality of provision in the National Curriculum subjects and aspects of childcare, social care, education as well as learning and skills. Ofsted will also act as a regulator in checking that the people, premises and the services that are provided are suitable to care and educate children and potentially at risk young people. If childcare or a child’s social care provider does not meet the adequate or required standards then Ofsted will need them to take the necessary actions to improve their facilities.
