NEW child care laws which recognise a child's right to have a say in how and where it is brought up came into force in Northern Ireland yesterday, writes Suzanne Breen.
The Children (Northern Ireland) Order is a complete rewrite of the rules governing the care, upbringing and protection of children. It covers all aspects of a child's life including education, health, the courts and child minding.
While child care workers have welcomed the aims of the new order, they have voiced concern that government funding will be inadequate.