New Delhi: The Department for Education has introduced a new Bill to Parliament today that aims to improve children’s wellbeing and make changes to the school system.
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill will introduce a number of measures, including a new register to identify children who are not in school, and a unique identifier number for children across services, a government release stated.
The government says these measures will help ensure all children get the best start in life and will “break down barriers to opportunity”.
The Bill will introduce a unique identifier number for children across services, like the national insurance number for adults. This is intended to make it easier for professionals to share information and provide joined-up support for children. This will help to prevent vulnerable children from falling through the cracks.
In addition, the Bill will give local authorities the power to intervene and require school attendance for any child whose home environment is assessed as unsuitable or unsafe. This includes children who are subject to a child protection investigation or under a child protection plan.
The government says that teachers and schools are often the first to spot signs of abuse or neglect, and the Bill will ensure that they are always involved in decisions around safeguarding children in their area.
Bridget Phillipson, Education Secretary, 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.”
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