This book traces the evolution of the welfare interests of the child principle over the centuries in England & Wales to provide a record of the key milestones in its development. It does so by comparing and contrasting the part it has played in the public – care, protection and control – and in the private – matrimonial, adoption etc – sectors of family law. By analysing the content of the principle this book discloses the essence of what has been termed ‘the golden thread running through the common law’. By considering the ways in which the legal system has shaped and been shaped by the principle, it reveals its structural influence. By identifying and assessing the significance of its operational role and functions, it shows how this principle has changed the law relating to children. In addition to a digest of cases and legislation that tracks the evolution of this legal principle, academics and other researchers will find a wealth of information on how that evolution reflects the corresponding changes in social mores. For those interested in the ethics and morality, there is much illuminating evidence on how the law has balanced this principle relative to others within both civil and criminal contexts.

Now in its seventh edition, this popular quick reference guide to the law in England relating to the care of children has been updated in 2019 to include reference to all recent legislation, including new regulations, guidance and standards. Contains sections on: parents, parental responsibility and private family life; private arrangements for the care of children; local authority responsibilities to children and families; child protection; children looked after by local authorities; reviews; representations, complaints and advocacy services for children; adoption; and the courts.

First published in 1999, this book responds to the meaning given to the welfare principle attracts a great deal of controversy and explores the reasons for the controversy and examines the growing legal significance attached to the principle. In an illuminating and accessible manner, this informative volume: provides a record of the milestones which have shaped the principles development by tracing its evolution over the centuries discloses the essence of what has been termed 'the golden thread running through the common law' provides a measure of the impact of the principle on the coherence of modern family law by assessing the significance of its present operational role and functions. The welfare principle began as a common law principle forged in medieval England, yet it has informed the law relating to children in some of the most developed western societies. It is now being refracted through international legislative and judicial developments to challenge the future shape of family law in the UK. By considering the ways in which the legal system has shaped and been shaped by the principle, this invaluable book leads its readers to an appreciation of the content and structural influence of the welfare principle.

A practical and concise guide to the areas surrounding the Children Act 1989 and subsequent child protection legislation, guidance and case law. The book deals with care planning, expert evidence, taking instructions, case preparation and courtroom skills.

Balancing a child’s welfare interests and rights so as to ensure recognition and respect for his or her autonomous identity, while facilitating family unity, has become a major challenge for modern family law. This book, following on from The Principle of the Welfare of the Child: A History, examines, contrasts, and compares the response of England and Wales and Ireland to that challenge. It does so by applying the same matrix of indicators to explore, in each country, the distinction between welfare interests and rights and to trace changes in the balance between them. By profiling the nations in accordance with the same indicators, it reveals important jurisdictional differences in the extent to which welfare interests or rights determine how the law is currently applied to children.

This book examines jurisdictional differences in the role of the principle of the welfare interests of the child in common and civil law and focuses on differences within these two legal traditions. By identifying and analysing the functions of the principle both in the public and private sector of family law, the book compares and contrasts different jurisdictions and assesses their capacity to implement children’s welfare interests and rights. Covering a variety of topics including child abuse and neglect, state care, adoption and reproductive rights and family breakdown, the book demonstrates how welfare interests and rights can be balanced to create a coherent framework for family law. In addition to providing an up-to-date digest of cases and legislation, the book will be of interest to researchers in the field of child welfare and family law.

A core function of social work is to assist, empower, and protect the most vulnerable in society. Social workers make difficult decisions in complex and challenging situations every day. They work in organizations that have clear statutory duties. Therefore, it is essential that social work students know what their responsibilities are. Familiarity with law, legislation, and legal processes is consequently fundamental to sound social work practice. This best-selling book will help you gain this foothold in understanding law as it applies to social work practice. It avoids complicated legal jargon remote from the everyday realities of practice, offering instead a grounding in legally-appropriate, rights-based social work. It covers the full range of social work law, including services for children and families and child protection, adult care law, youth justice, court work, professional regulation, and human rights.