The Children's Act of 2005 was written to protect children and to provide guidance to parents, guardians, family members, teachers, and social workers. Although the act is mainly about children, it speaks to the whole public as we are all responsible to look after our children.
Under this law, children have the right to:
- Family or parental care, or appropriate alternative care.
- Basic nutrition, care, shelter, health care and social services.
- Be protected from exploitative labour practices.
- Not to be required or permitted to perform work/provide services that are inappropriate for their age, or that places the child’s wellbeing, education, physical or mental health, or spiritual, moral or social development at risk.
- Have their best interests considered in every matter concerning them.
(Please note: This is only general advice and should not be relied on solely. The law is complicated and there are many influencing factors that can change the above).