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Understanding the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill 2024-25: Key Takeaways

The Government’s Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill 2024-25 has recently been debated in Parliament, marking a significant step towards addressing critical issues related to children’s safety and educational access. Introduced on December 17, 2024, this bill aims to enhance child safeguarding, prevent exploitation and abuse, and ensure that educational provisions meet the needs of all children. The second reading of the bill highlighted its overarching objectives and implications for various stakeholders.

Key Objectives of the Bill

The primary aim of the bill is to improve child safety and prevent the alarming issue of children disappearing from education. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson emphasised the importance of knowing where children are to safeguard them effectively, stating, “Keeping children safe will always be my first duty as education secretary. The sad reality is that at the moment there are thousands of children hidden from sight. This Government will make no apologies for doing whatever is necessary to keep children out of harm’s way.”

To achieve these goals, the legislation will empower local councils with expanded responsibilities, allowing them to direct academies to admit students and granting councils greater influence over Published Admission Numbers (PANs). They will also have the authority to open new schools, moving away from the recent trend of non-council-operated institutions.

Unique Identifier for Children

An essential feature of the bill is the introduction of a unique identifying number for each child, which will facilitate better information sharing among agencies. Educational settings will be required to participate in multi-agency child protection frameworks, helping to ensure comprehensive safeguarding.

Local councils will be mandated to maintain registers of “children not in school” and support parents opting for home education. These councils may give consent for home education and can mandate that children under protection orders attend school, assessing the educational provision’s suitability based on national standards.

Implications for Academies and Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs)

The bill introduces several significant changes for academies, particularly regarding their independence over educational standards and pay frameworks. These institutions will face restrictions related to implementing curriculums that diverge from national education standards and will be required to align with national pay and conditions for teachers.

Starting from September 2026, new teachers joining academies will need to either hold or be working towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Previously, MATs expanded their number of academies through academy orders for “inadequate” local authority-maintained schools; however, the new bill indicates that this path will not be automatic. Instead, new regional improvement teams will be established to support areas requiring genuine improvement.

Increased Oversight of Private Schools

Private educational institutions will now come under closer scrutiny as well. The bill requires a “fit and proper” person test for anyone intending to open a new institution and mandates government oversight during inspections and approvals for significant operational changes.

Support for Families

Additionally, to support families facing financial difficulties, the bill mandates that all children attending state-funded primary schools have access to a free 30-minute breakfast club starting in April 2025. It also limits the number of branded items required in school uniforms to three, reducing the financial burden on families.

In total, the bill encompasses 39 policies, with varying timelines for implementation, reflecting the Government’s commitment to creating a more equitable and supportive educational landscape for all children.

Conclusion

The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill 2024-25 reports as a pivotal moment in reforming children’s safeguarding and education in England. As educational stakeholders, it’s essential to stay informed about these developments and their implications for staffing, policies, and collaboration with local authorities.

For ongoing updates and insights, the government has published a detailed policy summary that provides further context and guidance on the bill. To learn more, visit the policy summary at Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill 2024: policy summary – GOV.UK.

Additional Useful Links:
Explanatory Notes for the Bill
Policy Summary
Children’s Social Care Reform

Keeping abreast of these changes will not only ensure compliance but also foster a supportive environment for children’s development and education.