Summary
The foundational statute for child protection and family law. Establishes the welfare principle, parental responsibility, care proceedings thresholds, and local authority duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
Key Points
- Welfare principle (s.1)
- No order principle (s.1(5))
- Parental responsibility
- Significant harm threshold for care proceedings (s.31)
- Section 47 investigations
Parts & Sections
Amendments History
2014 — Children and Families Act 2014
Reformed SEN and adoption provisions.