Amend Children Act 1989
The Inquiry recommends that the UK government amends the Children Act 1989 so that, in any case where a court is satisfied that there is reasonable cause to believe that a child who is in the care of a local authority is experiencing or is at risk of experiencing significant harm, on an application by or for that child, the court may: prohibit a local authority from taking any act (or proposed act) which it otherwise would be entitled to take in exercising its parental responsibility for the child; or give directions for the purpose of determining a specific question which has arisen, or which may arise, in connection with any aspect of the local authority's exercise of parental responsibility for a child.
Response
Accepted
Response
AcceptedWe accept the absolute need for children and young people to have their voices heard, raise concerns and challenge any aspect of their care, including where they may be experiencing or at risk of serious harm. We will address this through the reforms in our Stable Homes, Built on Love strategy.
The Government will introduce new National Standards for Advocacy for Children and Young People and revised statutory guidance on Providing Effective Advocacy for Children and Young People Making a Complaint under the Children Act 1989 in 2025. This will include new standards on the provision of specialist non-instructed advocacy for children with complex needs and learning disabilities, and requirements for advocacy in the safeguarding of children.
Progress Timeline
Introducing National Standards for Advocacy; revised statutory guidance on effective advocacy to be released in 2025 to strengthen protections for children in care.