Child Abuse Eradication: Policy and Legal Framework in UK

Health and social care: Policy and Legal
Framework

Supporting Statement
Introduction
Child abuse include the intentional or unintentional neglect or physical injury to a child under
the age of eighteen (Baggot, 2013). All forms of abuse, including neglect, physical, mental,
and sexual harassment are fall under the category of child abuse. The UK government is
struggling to protect children from abuse and neglect. This report highlights the significance,
aim and impact of different legislations, policies, and publications regarding child abuse
eradication.
“The Children’s Charter”
When it came to children's welfare, state engagement grew in the late nineteenth century. One
of the most significant events in the history of children was the passage of the Prevention of
Cruelty to and Protection of Children Act of 1889 (Glasby and Dickinson, 2008). The 1880s
child saving movement gave rise to the Children's Charter “The Children’s Charter 1889”.
This legislation was significant because it addressed Begging and underage labour standards.
For the first time, the state was able to get involved in the dynamics of parent-child
interactions. If a child is in danger, police may enter the home and arrest anyone who is
mistreating a child. With the support of the NSPCC and this law, perceptions about children's
rights were transformed, laying the groundwork for additional safeguarding legislation (Ham,
2009).
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), 1989
As stated by Hudson (2013), there have never been so many signatories to a human rights
treaty before. UNCRC was drafted in 1989 and is the most widely endorsed human rights
accord in the world. As a United Nations-created convention, the UNCRC lists every child's
right until they are 18 years old. The Convention provides a shared ethical and legal
foundation for the fulfilment of children's rights. Peace, dignity, tolerance, individual liberty,
equality, education, and solidarity are the cornerstones of its mission. These rights will be
protected and promoted by almost every country around the world as they have signed the
convention. The physical and mental demands of every child necessitate an acceptable
quality of living (Klein, 2013). Every child is entitled to quality education. The government is
obligated to help a youngster who is in need.

Publication of Lord Laming Report
According to the findings of Lord Laming's investigation, Victoria's death may have been
prevented. Victoria may have been saved on 12 separate occasions if help had been
summoned. Every time, the opportunity was squandered (Brodsky et al., 2003). To be sure
that children are secure, Lord Laming's report correctly emphasizes the significance of strong
national and local leadership with clear accountability and excellent collaboration across
children's services, health, police, and other agencies. This investigation aimed to discover
what were the systemic problems preventing effective intervention. These included
insufficient management support for front-line personnel, a lack of responsibility, and a lack
of information exchange between and among organizations. The impact of this publication
was the creation of “Every Child Matters” by the government as a response to the findings
and recommendation of that inquiry (Johnson and Desouza, 2008).
The Children Act 2004
This law, passed in 2004 resulting from the 1989 act, seeks to protect children's well-being,
development, and morals as much as possible (Challis et al., 2018). It emphasizes that all
people and organization who works with children must do their part to keep them safe and
support their well-being. This means the action of the people like carer and the organization
would take most appropriate action un terms of safeguarding the children along with
promoting their welfare. The number of children who were sexually assaulted in England and
Wales in 2020/21 was higher than the previous year's figure of 2,900 (GOV.UK, 2019). This
is because with the raising intensity of crime which can further be justified as the rate of
sexual abuse of children before the age of 16 years 7.5% (Child sexual abuse in England and
Wales: year ending March 2019, 2022). Making the UK a safer place for children, and it
mandated the appointment of a director of children's services by each local authority is the
goal of this act. This is associated with the section-11 of the concerned act under which a
duty in respect to organization and employees would be set so that they can act towards the
welfare of the children. This is because the director will make the policies along with
ensuring that the compliance of law will be made ensured by the concerned local authorities
so that the child abuse will lower down. There are many causes of infidelity, including lack of
love, care, and attention. When a child's basic needs are not being met, it's considered neglect
e.g., an insufficient supply of food or medical care. As per the Children's Act 2004, a
separate fund would be generated and allowed by the Government to help children who are