The Children are Unbeatable! Alliance roundly condemned the announcement by the Department of Health last week that it would not be changing the status quo following an analysis of responses to a consultation that began last year.
The alliance includes more than 300 organisations and was set up to lobby for a change in the law that would give children the same protection from assault as adults.
In September the Scottish Executive announced measures to limit parents'
rights to administer physical punishment. These would make it illegal to smack children under three and to shake children of any age, hit them around the head or use implements for punishment. Corporal punishment in childcare centres or by childminders would also be banned. In England, under the new national standards for daycare, which also came into effect in September, childminders can smack children with parental consent.
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Unlimited access to news and opinion
-
Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news
Already have an account? Sign in here
