Bill to 'make child-centred government a reality' launched
Much anticipated reforms to strengthen the child protection system will be introduced by the Westminster Parliament today.
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill aims to stop vulnerable children “falling through the cracks”, break the cycle of crisis intervention and focus on early help.
Ministers claim the “landmark” bill is the biggest overhaul in a generation, putting “children’s interests at the heart of government policy”.
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.”
The bill comes with announcement of a doubling in investment for family help services to £500 million next year, spearheaded by a rollout of family hubs providing a range of wrap around services.
Reforms will promote better data sharing by creating a ‘unique identifier number’ for all children backed by a ‘single unique identifier’ post holder in every authority.
The government said: “Better data sharing is critical to ensuring issues can be spotted earlier and acted on. The unique identifier number for children will allow those responsible for the safeguarding and welfare of children to better join together relevant data, preventing children from falling through the cracks.”
Family group decision making services, such as Family Group Conferencing, will be available to all families when children are at risk of coming into care.
A greater focus on wider family networks to support vulnerable children will be promoted, with all councils expected to publish a “local kinship care offer”.
A home schooling register will be created in the wake of concern over children being taught at home becoming invisible to services.
Consent will have to be given to home educate a child who is on a child protection plan or subject to a section 47 investigation.
The reform aims to prevent tragedies such as the murder of ten-year-old Sara Sharif who was murdered by her father and stepmother after being taken off roll.
The bill, which was heavily trialled in a policy announcement last month, also includes a crackdown on profiteering by private providers of children’s social care.
Read PSW's detailed breakdown of the government’s policy including reaction and analysis.