The Government has published details of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. Following the tragic murder of Sara Sharif, this far-reaching Bill attracted much media interest in light of proposed reforms to Elective Home Education; however, this Bill is extensive in the changes which will be introduced.
Changes include the requirement that all new teachers in state-funded schools should have qualified teacher status or be working towards it.
As part of the commitment to attracting and retaining talented teachers, the Bill also proposes that teachers be on the same core pay and conditions framework, whether in a maintained primary or secondary school or an academy. The School Teachers’ Review Body is also to consider additional flexibilities within the statutory framework. Any changes will not be introduced before September 2026. 16-19 academies olds are not included in these proposals but can voluntarily follow them. Academy trust executive pay is also outside of the changes.
The Curriculum and Assessment Review, which advises on the curriculum and assessment system for 5-19-year-olds, ensuring it meets the needs of every child and young person, is due to publish its recommendations in autumn 2025. Currently, academies do not have to follow the national curriculum. The Bill requires all state funded schools to teach the national curriculum.
To ensure there are enough school places, councils and schools will work together on school admissions and place planning arrangements. Councils will be able to open all types of schools, not just academies.
Currently, when maintained schools are failing, the Secretary of State currently has to issue an academy order. This duty will be repealed, and the Secretary of State will determine the most appropriate course of action to drive through school improvements, including engaging with the new Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE) teams.
For children of statutory school age who do not attend school, there will be a compulsory Children Not in School register at each local authority in England. This should enable authorities to identify those children who are not in school and ensure they receive a suitable education. The automatic right to home educate children will be removed if the child is subject to a child protection plan, and local authorities will have the power to require school attendance. For parents providing a good, safe education they can continue to do so, but these changes should ensure that the most vulnerable children are not withdrawn from school until there are assurances that this decision is in their best interests, and they will be provided with a suitable education outside of school.
To support the safeguarding of children, the government will be piloting a single unique identifier number to enable those responsible for the safeguarding and welfare of children to better join relevant data and identify children who will benefit from additional support. This new law should increase the confidence of those responsible for those needing to share sensitive information, thereby speeding up processes and giving clarity to the legal basis or bases for sharing information on the grounds of safeguarding children’s welfare.
Education is not one of the three lead safeguarding partners (LSPs) in any locality. However, this legislation will put a duty on LSPs to ensure education can influence decision-making at every level. In return, it is hoped there will be a more cohesive approach between children’s social care, police, and health professionals and education, resulting in improved safeguarding and promotion of welfare for all children.
Arrangements around kinship care are looking to be extended. Where a child is at risk of entering the care system local authorities will be required to offer the parents the opportunity to attend ‘family group decision making’ meetings. Where it is safe and appropriate keeping children within their families, including their extended families, will be the aim.
An additional £500m will be spent on Family Help services to support far-reaching challenges, including mental health issues.
