with earlier worries about the mind and mental health of children's development. At this time a rising importance on preventive care became prominent, looking at the family and its relationship with the State. These ideas developed slowly during the 1960's - 70's and it was recognised that a child should be dealt with "as a whole and continuously developing person" (Hendrick, 1994, p.263). At this point in time the child became more permitted to have individual rights, giving them responsibilities and freedom from "traditionally passive and often repressive protection" (Hendrick, 1994, p.57). Worries cropped up with regard to the "balance between too much and too little intervention" and particularly between "competing claims of parents, children, social workers and local authority social services departments" (Hendrick, 1994, p.273).
             The Prevention of Cruelty to and Protection of Children Act 1889 was the first law to enforce criminal penalties in the hope to discourage abuse and neglect of ch
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