Written Statement: The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill

In December 2024 the UK government introduced the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to Parliament. The Bill, which applied to England only on introduction, includes a range of provisions that aim to strengthen existing safeguarding arrangements, raise standards in education and promote children’s wellbeing. 

Whilst education and social care policy and decisions are devolved in Wales, children’s welfare, safeguarding and protecting children’s rights are at the forefront of every decision that we make. These are the core aims that underpin the provisions in the Bill, and it is important that when government principles align on such important matters, we work together to achieve the desired outcomes. 

Within the Bill there are clauses that seek to introduce new duties that will strengthen existing UK legislation relating to child protection, children not in school, and children’s social care. These are areas that would strongly benefit from additional legislative measures across both nations, and will support local authorities and partners to meet their safeguarding duties. If equal measures are not implemented in Wales, this would result in fewer protections for our children than their counterparts in England.

With this in mind, we have discussed the Bill with the UK government and have asked that certain provisions within the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, be applied to Wales in the same way as England. 

The areas within the Bill that will apply to Wales are those that relate to:

• Children in secure accommodation
• The extension of the offence of ill-treatment of a child by a care worker to cover 16/17-year-olds.                                           
• Children not in school

Committee Stage of the Bill has concluded and amendments to extend the clauses covering the areas above to Wales are currently being considered at Report Stage. 

Subject to agreement with the UK government other areas of the Bill may be included at a later stage. Should additional provisions be extended to Wales, a further update will be issued. 

This statement is being issued to provide members with an update on the Welsh Government’s proposed plans. A further statement setting out the policy rationale for seeking provision in relation to Wales from the Bill will follow in due course, as discussions with the UK government progress. 

Full details on the Bill are available on the following link: Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament