The Welfare Checklist
Section 1 of the Children Act provides that when a court decides an issue relating to a child then " the child's welfare shall be the court's paramount consideration ". It goes on to set out the ' 'welfare checklist ' that every court must then have regard to :
- the ascertainable wishes of the child concerned (considered in the light of his/her age and understanding)
- his/her physical emotional and educational needs
- the likely effect on him/her of any change in circumstances
- his/her age, sex, background and any characteristics of his/hers which the court considers relevant
- any harm which he/she has suffered or is at risk of suffering
- how capable each of his/her parents, and any other person in relation to whom the court considers the question to be relevant, is of meeting his/her needs
- the range of powers available to the court under this Act in the proceedings in question