CHILDREN ACT 1958

Part I sets out provisions relating to child protection (s. 1 – 17).  Provisions include imposing a duty of local authorities to ensure well being of foster children (s. 1), a duty of persons maintaining foster children to notify local authority (s. 3), power to inspect premises, impose conditions, or prohibit the keeping of foster children (s. 4), details are given relating to appeal to juvenile court against requirement or prohibition imposed under Section 4 (s. 5), disqualification of keeping foster children (s. 6), removal of foster children kept in unusual surroundings (s. 7), extension of power to issue warrants to search for and remove a child (s. 8), avoidance of insurances on lives of foster children (s. 9), sittings of juvenile courts in proceedings under Part I (s. 10), appeal to quarter sessions (s. 11), extension of Part I to certain school children during holidays (s. 12), extension of Part I to certain children above compulsory school age (s. 13), details of offences (s. 14), service of notices by post (s. 15), authentication of documents (s. 16) and interpretation of Part I (s. 17).

Part II sets out amendments of the Adoption Act 1950 (s. 18 – 36).  This includes consents to adoption (s. 18), interim orders (s. 19), procedure and evidence (s. 21) and effects of adoption (s. 22).    Further provisions include details of registration (s. 25), amendment of orders and rectification of registers (s. 26), legitimation following adoption (s. 27), power of local authorities to arrange adoption (s. 30), return of infants placed by adoption societies and local authorities (s. 31), further provisions as to adoption of children in care of local authorities (s. 32) and children awaiting adoption or placed with strangers (s. 35).

Part III set out the miscellaneous and general provisions (s. 37 – 41).  This includes the prohibition of anonymous advertisements offering to undertake the care of children (s. 37), details of repeal of obsolete enactments (s. 38) and expenses (s. 40).

SCHEDULES

First Schedule: Provision as to children awaiting adoption or placed with strangers.
Second Schedule: Minor and consequential amendments
Third Schedule: Enactments repealed.