Publisher's Synopsis
This text has been written for those lawyers, social workers and others from an ever increasing range of professions who are involved with safeguarding children. The book is in four parts.;Part one aims to introduce the reader to the broad parameters set by legislation and the courts that structure the response of the law to the welfare interests and legal rights of children.;Part two deals with the overlap between private and public family law and outlines the various private law orders that are now available in a public law context.;Part three forms the bulk of the book. It begins with an explanation of the relevant principles, the threshold of significant harm and provisions for children in need. It then deals with child abuse and the statutory orders that may be sought from the court to safeguard the children concerned. It considers the roles of trust, parent and court in relation to the use of authority before and after a child becomes a looked-after child.;Part four concludes the book by explaining the current law and practice relating to the adoption of looked after children in Northern Ireland. It also addresses the rights and responsibilities of all parties following the granting of an adoption order.
