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
981

Sch. 12 para. 5 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

982

Sch. 12 para. 6 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

983

Sch. 12 para. 7 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

984
985

Sch. 12 para. 9 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

987

Sch. 12 para. 11 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

989

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

991

Sch. 12 para. 13 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

993

Sch. 12 para. 14 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

995

Sch. 12 para. 15 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

996

Sch. 12 para. 16 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

998

Sch. 12 para. 17 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

999
1000

Sch. 12 para. 19 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1001

Sch. 12 para. 20 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1007

Sch. 12 para. 25 in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1008

Sch. 12 para. 26 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1009

Sch. 12 para. 27 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1010

Sch. 12 para. 28 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1011

Sch. 12 para. 29 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1012

Sch. 12 para. 29(b) and the preceding “and" repealed (25.8.2000) by 2000 c. 6, ss. 165(4), 168(1), Sch. 12 Pt. I (with Sch. 11 paras. 1, 2)

1013

Sch. 12 para. 30(a) extends to Scotland see s. 108(11)

1014

Sch. 12 para. 30 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1015

Sch. 12 para. 32 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1016

Sch. 12 para. 33 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1020

Sch. 12 para. 37 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1021

Sch. 12 para. 38 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1022

Sch. 12 para. 39 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1023

Sch. 12 para. 40 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1024

Sch. 12 para. 41 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1025

Sch. 12 para. 42 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1026

Sch. 12 para. 43 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1027

Sch. 12 para. 44 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1029

Sch. 13 para. 1 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1030

Sch. 13 para. 2 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1031

Sch. 13 para. 3 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1033

Sch. 13 para. 5 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1034

Sch. 13 para. 6 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1035

Sch. 13 para. 7 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1038

Sch. 13, paras. 9, 10 repealed (1.11.1996) by 1996 c. 56, ss. 582(2)(3), 583(2)(3), Sch. 38 Pt.I, (with s. 1(4), Sch. 39, paras. 5, 6, 8)

1039

Sch. 13 para. 11 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1040

Sch. 13 para. 12 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1041

Sch. 13 para. 13 repealed (1.11.1996) by 1996 c. 36, s. 105(5), Sch. 5, Table (with s. 103(1)); S.I. 1996/2203, art. 3, Sch. Table

1042

Sch. 13 para. 14 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1043

Sch. 13 para. 15 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1044

Sch. 13 para. 16 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1045

Sch. 13 para. 17 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1047

Sch. 13 para. 18 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1048

Sch. 13 para. 19 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1049

Sch. 13 para. 20 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1050

Sch. 13 para. 21 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1051

Sch. 13 para. 22 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1052

Sch. 13 para. 23 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1054

Sch. 13 para. 24 in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1056

Sch. 13 para. 25 in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1057

Sch. 13 para. 26 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1059

Sch. 13 para. 27 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)and(3) and (S.I. 1991/828 art. 3(2))

1060

Sch. 13 para. 28 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1061

Sch. 13 para. 29 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1063

Sch. 13 para. 31 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1064

Sch. 13 para. 32 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1066

Sch. 13 para. 33 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1067
1068

Sch. 13 para. 35 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1069

Sch. 13 para. 36 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1070

Sch. 13 para. 37 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1071

Sch. 13 para. 38 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1072

Sch. 13 para. 39 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1074

Sch. 13 para. 40 in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1075

Sch. 13 para. 41 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1076

Sch. 13 para. 43 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1077

Sch. 13 para. 44 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1079

Sch. 13 para. 45 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1080

Sch. 13 para. 45: 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)

1081

Sch. 13 para. 45 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)

1082

Sch. 13 para. 46 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1083

Sch. 13 para. 47 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1084

Sch. 13 para. 48 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1086

Sch. 13 para. 49 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)

1087

Sch. 13 para. 50 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1089

Sch. 13 para. 51 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1090

Sch. 13 para. 52 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1091

Sch. 13 para. 53 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1093

Sch. 13 para. 54 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1094

Sch. 55 para. 55 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1095

Sch. 13 para. 56 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1096

Sch. 13 para. 57 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1097

Sch. 13 para. 58 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1098

Sch. 13 para. 59 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1099

Sch. 13 para. 60 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1100

Sch. 13 para. 61 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1101

Sch. 13 para. 62 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1102

Sch. 13 para. 63 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1103

SCh. 13 para. 63(2) repealed (4.11.1996) by S.I. 1995/756, arts. 1(2), 15,Sch.; S.R. 1996/297, art. 3

1104

Sch. 13 para. 64 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1105

Sch. 13 para. 65 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1106

Sch. 13 para. 66 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1107

Sch. 13 para. 67 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1108

Sch. 13 para. 68 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1109

Sch. 13 para. 68(a)(b) extends to Scotland and para. 68(c)-(e) extends to Northern Ireland see s. 108(11)(12)

1110

Sch. 13 para. 69 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1112

Sch. 13 para. 70 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1113

Sch. 13 para. 71 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1114

Sch. 13 para. 72 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1115

Sch. 13 para. 73 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1117

Sch. 13 para. 73(2)(3) 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)

1118

Sch. 13 para. 74 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1120

Sch. 13 para. 74(2)(4) 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)

1121

Sch. 14 para. 1 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1122

Words in Sch. 14 para. 1(1) substituted (14.10.1991) by S.I. 1991/828, art. 4, Sch. para. 1A(1) (as inserted by S.I. 1991/1990, art. 2(c), Sch. para. 1)

1123

Sch. 14 para. 1(1A) inserted (14.10.1991) by S.I. 1991/828, art. 4, Sch. para. 1A(2) (as inserted by S.I. 1991/1990, art. 2(c),Sch. para. 1)

1126

Sch. 14 para. 2 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1129

Sch. 14 para. 3 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1130

Sch. 14 para. 4 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1131

Sch. 14 para. 5 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1137

Sch. 14 para. 6 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1138

Sch. 14 para. 7 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1139

Words in Sch. 14 para. 7(2) substituted (14.10.1991) by S.I. 1991/828, art. 4, Sch. para. 1B(1) (as inserted by S.I. 1991/1990, art. 2(c),Sch. para. 1)

1141

Sch. 14 para. 8 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1142

Sch. 14 para. 9 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1143

Sch. 14 para. 11 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1144

Sch. 14 para. 12 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1145
1148

Sch. 14 para. 13 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1150

Sch. 14 para. 14 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

1151

Sch. 14 para. 14 amended (14.10.1991) by S.I. 1991/828, art. 4, Sch. para. 1C (as inserted by S.I 1991/1990, art. 2(c), Sch. para.1)

1153

Sch. 14 para. 15 in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

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