Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill
What are the main components of the Bill?
There has, understandably, been a huge amount of discussion about the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill which was introduced into Parliament on 17 December 2024.
The Bill has introduced a key step towards the government’s Opportunity Mission which is intended to break the link between young people’s background and their future success. It is said that it will put in place a package of support to drive high and rising standards throughout the education and care systems so that every child can achieve and thrive. The aim is to protect children at risk of abuse, stop vulnerable children falling through cracks in services, and deliver a core guarantee of high standards with space for innovation in every child’s education.
Part 1: Children Social Care measures
Part 2: School measures
- Free breakfast club provision in primary schools in England
- School uniforms: limit on branded items
- Children not in school
- Expanding the scope of regulation
- Independent education setting and safeguarding: Due diligence and standard setting
- Independent education setting and safeguarding
- Academy schools: National curriculum
- Academy schools: education provision for improving behaviour
- Academies: Power to Secure Performance of Proprietor’s Duties
- Repeal of Duty to make Academy Order in relation to School Causing Concern
- Co-operation on admissions and place planning
- Local authority direction powers
- Functions of the School Adjudicator in relation to admissions numbers
- Establishment of new schools