Government publishes Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill

The government new Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill has been given it’s first reading.

The Bill is considered central to delivering on the government’s Plan for Change, putting children’s futures at the centre of rebuilding public services, and breaking down barriers to opportunity. The measures are intended to help ensure all children get the best start in life, to driving sustainable and lasting change to ensure children and families achieve and thrive. 

The bill will introduce new registers to identify children who are not in school and also pave the way for a unique identifier number for children across services – like the national insurance number works for adults. 

Additionally,  parents will no longer have an automatic right to educate their children at home if their child is subject to a child protection investigation or under a child protection plan. If a child’s home environment is assessed as unsuitable or unsafe, local authorities will also now have the power to intervene and require school attendance for any child. 

Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson said “In recent years, too many children have been failed by their last line of defence: the state.

“This bill will be a seminal moment for child protection. No more words, no more lessons learnt. This government will put children first at every turn.

“That means a child-centred government, with better protections for young people and real join up between children’s social care, schools and local services. Alongside further measures to drive high and rising standards in our schools, this bill will deliver on this government’s Plan for Change, so that all children, whatever their circumstances, can achieve and thrive.”

 MPs will next consider the Bill at Second Reading on Wednesday 8 January 2025.