Children Act 1989

Type Public General Act
Publication 1989-11-16
Last updated 2026-08-27
State In force
Department Statute Law Database
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articles Not indexed

An Act to reform the law relating to children; to provide for local authority services for children in need and others; to amend the law with respect to children’s homes, community homes, voluntary homes and voluntary organisations; to make provision with respect to fostering, child minding and day care for young children and adoption; and for connected purposes.

Reform history JSON API
873

Sch. 6 Pt. II para. 10(1)(b)(c) repealed (1.4.2002) by 2000 c. 14, s. 117(2), Sch. 6; S.I. 2001/4150, art. 3(3)(c)(viii) (subject to transitional provision in art. 4 of the commencing S.I. and to the amendment of art. 3 by S.I. 2002/1493, art. 6); S.I. 2002/920, art. 3(3)(g) (with art. 3(5)-(10) and transitional provisions in Schs. 1-3)

874

Sch. 6 Pt. II para. 10(2)(a)-(k) repealed (1.4.2002) by 2000 c. 14, s. 117(2), Sch. 6; S.I. 2001/4150, art. 3(3)(c)(viii) (subject to transitional provision in art. 4 of the commencing S.I. and to the amendment of art. 3 by S.I. 2002/1493, art. 6); S.I. 2002/920, art. 3(3)(g) (with art. 3(5)-(10) and transitional provisions in Schs. 1-3)

875

Sch. 6 Pt. II para. 10(3)(4) repealed (1.4.2002) by 2002 c. 14, s. 117(2), Sch. 6; S.I. 2002/4150, art. 3(3)(c)(viii) (subject to transitional provision in art. 4 of the commencing S.I. and to the amendment of art. 3 by S.I. 2002/1493, art. 6); S.I. 2002/920, art. 3(3)(g) (with art. 3(5)-(10) and transitional provisions in Schs. 1-3)

876

Sch. 6: words in heading substituted (1.4.2002) by 2000 c. 14, s. 116, Sch. 4 para. 14(25)(a); S.I. 2001/4150, art. 3(3)(a) (subject to transitional provision in art. 4 of the commencing S.I. and to the amendment of art. 3 by S.I. 2002/1493, art. 6); S.I. 2002/920, art. 3(3)(d) (with art. 3(4)-(10) and transitional provisions in Schs. 1-3)

877

Sch. 7 para. 1 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

878

Sch. 7 para. 2 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

879

Sch. 7 para. 3 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

880

Sch. 7 para. 4 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

881

Sch. 7 para. 5 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

882

Words in Sch. 7 para. 5(1) inserted (1.4.2002) by 2000 c. 14, s. 116, Sch. 4 para. 14(26); S.I. 2001/4150, art. 3(3)(a) (subject to transitional provision in art. 4 of the commencing S.I. and to the amendment of art. 3 by S.I. 2002/1493, art. 6); S.I. 2002/920, art. 3(3)(d) (with art. 3(4)-(10) and transitional provisions in Schs. 1-3)

883

Sch. 7 para. 6 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

884

Sch. 8 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

885

Sch. 8 para. 2 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

886

Sch. 8 para. 2(1)(b) repealed (1.4.2002) by 2000 c. 14, s. 116, Sch. 4 para. 14(27)(a), Sch. 6; S.I. 2001/4150, art. 3(3)(a)(c)(viii) (subject to transitional provision in art. 4 of the commencing S.I. and to the amendment of art. 3 by S.I. 2002/1493, art. 6); S.I. 2002/920, art. 3(3)(d)(g) (with art 3(4)-(10) and transitional provisions in Schs. 1-3)

887

Sch. 8 para. 2(1)(f) substituted (1.4.2002) by 2000 c. 14, s. 116, Sch. 4 para. 14(28); S.I. 2001/4150, art. 3(3)(a) (subject to transitional provision in art. 4 of the commencing S.I. and to the amendment of art. 3 by S.I. 2002/1493, art. 6); S.I. 2002/920, art. 3(3)(d) (with art 3(4)-(10) and transitional provisions in Schs. 1-3)

888

Words in Sch. 8 para. 2(2) substituted (1.4.2002) by 2000 c. 14, s. 116, Sch. 4 para. 14(27)(a); S.I. 2001/4150, art. 3(3)(a) (subject to transitional provision in art. 4 of the commencing S.I. and to the amendment of art. 3 by S.I. 2002/1493, art. 6); S.I. 2002/920, art. 3(3)(d) (with art 3(4)-(10) and transitional provisions in Schs. 1-3)

889

Sch. 8 para. 3 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

890

Sch. 8 para. 3(a) substituted (30.11.2009) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 6, 153, Sch. 4 para. 38 (with Sch. 27 paras. 1 and 5); S.I. 2009/3074, art. 2(p)(v)

891

Sch. 8 para. 4 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

893

Sch. 8 para. 5 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

895

Sch. 8 para. 5(a)-(c) and preceding words substituted (30.12.2005) for Sch. 8 para. 5(a)(b) by 2002 c. 38, ss. 139, 148, Sch. 3 para. 73 (with Sch. 4 paras. 6-8); S.I. 2005/2213, art. 2(o)

896

Words in Sch. 8 para. 5 inserted (2.8.2007) by Children and Adoption Act 2006 (c. 20), ss. 14(3), 17; S.I. 2007/2287, art. 2(1)(c)

897

Sch. 8 para. 6 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

898

Sch. 8 para. 6: power to amend conferred (15.1.2005) by the Children Act 2004 (c. 31), ss. 45-47

899

Sch. 8 para. 7 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

900

Sch. 8 para. 7: power to amend conferred (15.1.2005) by the Children Act 2004 (c. 31), ss. 45-47

902

Sch. 8 para. 8 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

903

Sch. 8 para. 8: power to amend conferred (15.1.2005) by the Children Act 2004 (c. 31), ss. 45-47

904

Sch. 8 para. 9 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

905

Sch. 8 para. 9: power to amend conferred (15.1.2005) by the Children Act 2004 (c. 31), ss. 45-47

906

Words in Sch. 8 para. 9(1) repealed (1.4.2002) by 2000 c. 14, ss. 110, 117(2), Sch. 6; S.I. 2001/4150, art. 3(3)(c)(viii) (subject to transitional provision in art. 4 of the commencing S.I. and to the amendment of art. 3 by S.I. 2002/1493, art. 6); S.I. 2002/920, art. 3(3)(c)(g) (with art 3(5)-(10) and transitional provisions in Schs. 1-3)

907

Words in Sch. 8 para. 9(1)(b) substituted (1.4.2002) by 2000 c. 14, s. 116, Sch. 4 para. 14(27)(b); S.I. 2001/4150, art. 3(3)(a) (subject to transitional provision in art. 4 of the commencing S.I. and to the amendment of art. 3 by S.I. 2002/1493, art. 6); S.I. 2002/920, art. 3(3)(d) (with art. 3(4)-(10) and transitional provisions in Schs. 1-3)

908

Words in Sch. 8 para. 9(1) inserted (1.4.2002) by 2000 c. 14, s. 116, Sch. 4 para. 14(27); S.I. 2001/4150, art. 3(3)(a) (subject to transitional provision in art. 4 of the commencing S.I. and to the amendment of art. 3 by S.I. 2002/1493, art. 6); S.I. 2002/920, art. 3(3)(d) (with art 3(4)-(10) and transitional provisions in Schs. 1-3)

909

Sch. 10 para. 10 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

910

Sch. 8 para. 11 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

912

Sch. 9 repealed (S.) (1.4.2002) by 2001 asp 8, s. 80(1), Sch. 4; S.S.I. 2002/162, art. 2(g)(I) (subject to arts. 3-13)

913

Pt. X (ss. 71-79) and Sch. 9: By 2000 c. 14, s. 79(5) it is provided (2.7.2001 (E.) and 1.4.2002 (W.) that Pt. X and Sch. 9 shall cease to extend to England and Wales; S.I. 2001/2041, art. 2(1)(c) (with transitional provisions and savings in the Sch.); S.I. 2002/920, art. 3(3)(b) (subject to transitional provisions in Schs. 1-3)

914

Sch. 9 repealed (S.) (1.4.2002) by 2001 asp 8, s. 80(1), Sch. 4; S.S.I. 2002/162, art. 2(g)(I) (subject to arts. 3-13)

915

Pt. X (ss. 71-79) and Sch. 9: By 2000 c. 14, s. 79(5) it is provided (2.7.2001 (E.) and 1.4.2002 (W.) that Pt. X and Sch. 9 shall cease to extend to England and Wales; S.I. 2001/2041, art. 2(1)(c) (with transitional provisions and savings in the Sch.); S.I. 2002/920, art. 3(3)(b) (subject to transitional provisions in Schs. 1-3)

916

Sch. 9 repealed (S.) (1.4.2002) by 2001 asp 8, s. 80(1), Sch. 4; S.S.I. 2002/162, art. 2(g)(I) (subject to arts. 3-13)

917

Pt. X (ss. 71-79) and Sch. 9: By 2000 c. 14, s. 79(5) it is provided (2.7.2001 (E.) and 1.4.2002 (W.) that Pt. X and Sch. 9 shall cease to extend to England and Wales; S.I. 2001/2041, art. 2(1)(c) (with transitional provisions and savings in the Sch.); S.I. 2002/920, art. 3(3)(b) (subject to transitional provisions in Schs. 1-3)

918

Sch. 9 repealed (S.) (1.4.2002) by 2001 asp 8, s. 80(1), Sch. 4; S.S.I. 2002/162, art. 2(g)(I) (subject to arts. 3-13)

919

Pt. X (ss. 71-79) and Sch. 9: By 2000 c. 14, s. 79(5) it is provided (2.7.2001 (E.) and 1.4.2002 (W.) that Pt. X and Sch. 9 shall cease to extend to England and Wales; S.I. 2001/2041, art. 2(1)(c) (with transitional provisions and savings in the Sch.); S.I. 2002/920, art. 3(3)(b) (subject to transitional provisions in Schs. 1-3)

920

Pt. X (ss. 71-79) and Sch. 9: By 2000 c. 14, s. 79(5) it is provided (2.7.2001 (E.) and 1.4.2002 (W.) that Pt. X and Sch. 9 shall cease to extend to England and Wales; S.I. 2001/2041, art. 2(1)(c) (with transitional provisions and savings in the Sch.); S.I. 2002/920, art. 3(3)(b) (subject to transitional provisions in Schs. 1-3)

921

Sch. 9 repealed (S.) (1.4.2002) by 2001 asp 8, s. 80(1), Sch. 4; S.S.I. 2002/162, art. 2(g)(I) (subject to arts. 3-13)

922

Pt. X (ss. 71-79) and Sch. 9: By 2000 c. 14, s. 79(5) it is provided (2.7.2001 (E.) and 1.4.2002 (W.) that Pt. X and Sch. 9 shall cease to extend to England and Wales; S.I. 2001/2041, art. 2(1)(c) (with transitional provisions and savings in the Sch.); S.I. 2002/920, art. 3(3)(b) (subject to transitional provisions in Schs. 1-3)

923

Sch. 9 repealed (S.) (1.4.2002) by 2001 asp 8, s. 80(1), Sch. 4; S.S.I. 2002/162, art. 2(g)(I) (subject to arts. 3-13)

924

Pt. X (ss. 71-79) and Sch. 9: By 2000 c. 14, s. 79(5) it is provided (2.7.2001 (E.) and 1.4.2002 (W.) that Pt. X and Sch. 9 shall cease to extend to England and Wales; S.I. 2001/2041, art. 2(1)(c) (with transitional provisions and savings in the Sch.); S.I. 2002/920, art. 3(3)(b) (subject to transitional provisions in Schs. 1-3)

925

Sch. 9 repealed (S.) (1.4.2002) by 2001 asp 8, s. 80(1), Sch. 4; S.S.I. 2002/162, art. 2(g)(I) (subject to arts. 3-13)

926

Pt. X (ss. 71-79) and Sch. 9: By 2000 c. 14, s. 79(5) it is provided (2.7.2001 (E.) and 1.4.2002 (W.) that Pt. X and Sch. 9 shall cease to extend to England and Wales; S.I. 2001/2041, art. 2(1)(c) (with transitional provisions and savings in the Sch.); S.I. 2002/920, art. 3(3)(b) (subject to transitional provisions in Schs. 1-3)

927

Sch. 9 repealed (S.) (1.4.2002) by 2001 asp 8, s. 80(1), Sch. 4; S.S.I. 2002/162, art. 2(g)(I) (subject to arts. 3-13)

928

Sch. 9 repealed (S.) (1.4.2002) by 2001 asp 8, s. 80(1), Sch. 4; S.S.I. 2002/162, art. 2(g)(i) (subject to arts. 3-13)

929

Pt. X and Sch. 9: By 2000 c. 14, s. 79(5) it is provided (2.7.2001 (E.) and 1.4.2002 (W.)) that Pt. X and Sch. 9 shall cease to extend to England and Wales; S.I. 2001/2041, art. 2(1)(a)(2)(3) (with transitional provisions and savings in Sch.); S.I. 2002/920, art. 3(3)(b) (subject to transitional provisions in Schs. 1-3)

930

Sch. 9A: words in heading inserted (1.9.2008) by Childcare Act 2006 (c. 21), ss. 103(1), 109, Sch. 2 para. 18(2); S.I. 2008/2261, art. 2 (with art. 3 Sch. 1 and art. 4 Sch. 2)

963

Sch. 11 Pt. II para. 5 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

964

Sch. 11 Pt. II para. 6 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

965

Word in Sch. 11 para. 6(a) substituted (1.10.1997) by 1996 c. 27, s. 66(1), Sch. 8 Pt. III para. 60(2)(with Sch. 9 paras. 8, 9, 10); S.I. 1997/1892, art. 3(1)(a)

967

Sch. 11 Pt. II para. 8 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

968

Sch. 11 para. 8(d)-(g) repealed (1.4.2005) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), s. 109(3), Sch. 10; S.I. 2005/910, art. 3(aa)

969

Sch. 11 Pt. II para. 9 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

970

Sch. 11 para. 9: for the words "Supreme Court Act 1981" wherever they occur there is substituted (1.10.2009) the words "Senior Courts Act 1981" by virtue of Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 59, 148(1), Sch. 11 para. 1(2); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2(d)

971

Sch. 11 para. 9 cross-heading: for the words "Supreme Court Act 1981" wherever they occur there is substituted (1.10.2009) the words "Senior Courts Act 1981" by virtue of Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 59, 148(1), Sch. 11 para. 1(2); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2(d)

972

Sch. 11 Pt. II para. 10 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828 art. 3(2))

973

Sch. 11 Pt. II para. 11 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

975

Sch. 11 applied by Childcare Act 2006 (c. 21), s. 98F(5) (as inserted (12.1.2010) by 2009 c. 22, ss. 199, 269(2)(b))

976

Sch. 11 applied (W.) (1.4.2011) by Children and Families (Wales) Measure 2010 (nawm 1), ss. 43(4), 75; S.I. 2010/2582, art. 2, Sch. 1 (subject to arts. 3, 4, 5) (as amended by S.I. 2011/577, art. 2)

977

Sch. Pt. para. 1 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

978

Sch. 12 para. 2 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

979

Sch. 12 para. 3 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

980

Sch. 12 para. 4 omitted (1.10.1993) by virtue of 1993 c. 35, s. 307(1), Sch. 19 para. 154 and repealed (1.4.1994) by s. 307(3), Sch. 21 Pt.I of the same 1993 Act; S.I. 1993/1975, art. 9, Sch. 1; S.I. 1993/3106, art. 4, Sch.1

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