Northern Ireland Children
Legislation, Statutory Guidance, Good Practice Guidance
and Regulatory Authorities
The Northern Ireland Executive working through the Department of Health
The Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland was established in 2012 following the publication of the Safeguarding Board Act (Northern Ireland) 2011There are also NI Local Safeguarding Board Panels NI Local Safeguarding Board Panels
To find your local Council Report Child Abuse to Social Care
Dial 999 in an emergency
Legislation
ALL and MULTI-AGENCY SECTORS
Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021
Children’s Services Co-operation Act (Northern Ireland) 2015
Part 5 of this Act is about Protection of Children etc
Criminal Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2013
An Act to amend the law relating to sex offender notification, sexual offences prevention orders and human trafficking; to provide for the destruction, retention, use and other regulation of certain fingerprints and DNA samples and profiles; to provide for the release on licence of persons detained under Article 45(2) of the Criminal Justice (Children) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998; to amend Article 21BA of the Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1999; to abolish the common law offence of scandalising the judiciary; and to permit criminal proceedings on Sunday at certain times.
Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009
Sexual Offences (NI) Order 2008.
Seeks to consolidate sexual offences law in Northern Ireland into one statute and modernize, strengthen and harmonise the body of offences and penalties with the rest of the England and Wales.
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007
Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007
The Serious Crime Act (2007) section 44
Intentionally encouraging or assisting an offence
Section 131A Accommodation etc. for children
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
Very small part relevant to Northern Ireland. A legislative framework for cooperation between agencies working to safeguard children
Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (in part)
Closes a legal loophole, (whereby defendants in murder and manslaughter cases could escape conviction by claiming each other had killed the child), by creating a new offence of causing or allowing the death of a child or vulnerable adult. The offence establishes a new criminal responsibility for members of a household where they know that a child or vulnerable adult is at significant risk of serious harm.
The Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (Northern Ireland) Order 2003
The Commissioner for Children and Young People (NI) Order 2003
Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003
Extends the existing legislation criminalising female genital mutilation in the UK, by making it an offence for UK nationals or permanent UK residents to take a girl abroad, or to help others to take a girl abroad, to carry out female genital mutilation, even in countries where the practice is legal.
Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002
To make provision about nationality, immigration and asylum; to create offences in connection with international traffic in prostitution; to make provision about international projects connected with migration; and for connected purpose
Freedom of Information Act 2000
Gives the right to request any recorded information we hold that isn’t about you personally.
The Public Interest Disclosure (Northern Ireland) Order 1998
An Act to require the notification of information to the police by persons who have committed certain sexual offences; to make provision with respect to the commission of certain sexual acts outside the United Kingdom; and for connected purposes.
Children (Public Performances) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996
The Children’s Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1995
Sets out how a child may give evidence in criminal proceedings.
Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995
This is the principal statute governing the care, upbringing and protection of children in Northern Ireland. It affects all those who work and care for children, whether parents, paid carers or volunteers. The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 changed the philosophy and practice of the law in relation to children as it reformed, and brought together, most of the “public” and “private” law relating to children in a single coherent statutory framework along the lines of the Children Act 1989 in England and Wales.
Very small part relevant to Northern Ireland
Protection of Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1978.
Rehabilitation of Offenders (Northern Ireland) Order 1978
Children and Young Persons Act (Northern Ireland) 1968
Sets out offences against children
The Children and Young Persons Act of 1933
Provides for the punishment of a person who treats a child "in a manner likely to cause him unnecessary suffering or injury to health (including injury to or loss of sight, or hearing, or limb, or organ of the body, and any mental derangement)".
Prevention of Cruelty to, and Protection of, Children Act 1889
An Act for the Prevention of Cruelty to, and better Protection of, Children. ..... Section thirty-seven of the Poor Law Amendment Act, 1868
OTHER
EDUCATION
Special Educational Needs and Disability Act (Northern Ireland) 2016
Addressing Bullying in Schools Act (Northern Ireland) 2016
The Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 2003
Requires all grant-aided schools to include within their discipline policy, an anti-bullying policy which includes measures to prevent all forms of bullying among pupils. The effectiveness of these measures is monitored through the regular cycle of school inspections of pastoral care arrangements. It also is a statutory requirement for schools to have a child protection policy and to implement it. The Board of Governors of a grant-aided school has a statutory duty, under Article 17 of the Education and Libraries (NI) Order 2003, to safeguard and promote the welfare of registered pupils at the school at all times when on the premises of the school; or in the lawful control or charge of a member of the staff of the school.
Statutory Guidance
All
Safeguarding and Protection in Schools updated September 2023
Co-operating to Safeguard Children and Young People in Northern Ireland 2017
Guidance to Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI) amended 2014
Good Practice Guidance and Advice
All
National referral mechanism guidance: adult (Northern Ireland and Scotland) updated May 2024
(also includes children)
Public Interest Disclosure Guidance 2022
Education Authority: Safeguarding and Child Protection
Children and Young people ethics toolkit 2021 (BMA)
Safeguarding Children and Young People: Roles and Competences for Health Care Staff 2019
Enhanced Due Diligence: Safeguarding for external partners published October 2018 (UK)
Best practice for PE changing rooms: NSPCC factsheet
Indecent images of children: guidance for young people March 2018
GMC Confidentiality: good practice in handling patient information (2017)
Child abuse and neglect: NICE guideline [NG76] Published date: October 2017
Criminal Exploitation of children and vulnerable adults: County Lines guidance 2017
Child Safety Online: A Practical Guide for Providers of Social Media and Interactive Services 2016
National Referral Mechanism (NRM): guidance for child first responders
Guidance on how to identify and refer children who may have been the victim of trafficking and provide a cohesive response for appropriate agencies
Safeguarding of Children Who May Have Been Trafficked 2011
Protecting the health and well-being of 'Looked After' Children 2010
Provides guidance on protecting and safeguarding looked after children.
0-18 years: guidance for all doctors
Minimum Standards for Dental Care and Treatment 2011
Standard 15 - Children, young people and vulnerable adults [Promoting, protecting and improving health and social well-being]
Guidance on interviewing victims and witnesses, the use of special measures, and the provision of pre-trial therapy. The guidance applies to both prosecution and defence witnesses and is intended for all persons involved in the criminal justice process, including the police, health and/or social care workers, legal profession and victim support organisations.
REGULATORY AUTHORITIES
EDUCATION
Education and Training Inspectorate
Education Act (Northern Ireland) 2014
Education and Inspections Act 2006
School Standards and Framework Act 1998
The 1998 School Standards and Framework Act contains provisions for schools and nursery education. This covers further education for young people at school, and in FE institutions across the UK
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA)
CHARITIES
The Charity Commission Northern Ireland
Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2022
Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008
