NCJ Number
140707
Date Published
1991
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Major provisions of the British Children Act 1989 are summarized and the likely impact of the changes are discussed, with an emphasis on interaction with the Criminal Justice Act 1991.
Abstract
The statute recognizes the substantial decline over the past 15 years in the use of care orders; under this Act, the care order ceases to be a disposal of the court in criminal proceedings. The offense condition in care proceedings is also abolished and is not included among the criteria justifying public intervention in the life of a family. A care order can be made in civil proceedings provided the child is suffering significant harm as a result of the standard of care given to the child or because the child is beyond parental control. The Act allows the court to require juveniles, placed under supervision orders in criminal cases, to live in local authority accommodation for a period up to 6 months. Juveniles are no longer remanded to the care of a local authority, but to local authority accommodation; parental responsibility remains with the child's parents. Children may be placed in secure accommodation only if they have a history of absconding, or if they are likely to harm themselves or others if placed in other types of accommodation. Local authorities are charged with promoting juvenile delinquency prevention programs and reducing the need to prosecute juveniles. They are required to provide services including support to parents, preventive intermediate treatment for young people at risk of offending, supervision for juvenile offenders, and overall youth and community services.