http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2026/21/contents/enactedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026enKing's Printer of Acts of Parliament2026-05-07 Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026s. 11The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 5(a)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026s. 35The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 5(b)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026s. 65The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 5(c)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026s. 66The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 5(d)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026s. 67The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 5(e)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026s. 68The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 5(f)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026s. 69The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 5(g)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026Sch. 4 para. 1The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 5(f)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026Sch. 4 para. 2The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 5(f)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026Sch. 4 para. 3The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 5(f)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026Sch. 4 para. 4The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 5(f)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026Sch. 4 para. 5The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 5(f)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026Sch. 4 para. 6The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 5(f)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026Sch. 4 para. 7The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 5(f)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026Sch. 4 para. 8The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 5(f)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026Sch. 4 para. 9The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 5(f)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026Sch. 4 para. 10The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 5(f)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026Sch. 4 para. 11The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 5(f)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026Sch. 4 para. 12The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 5(f)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026Sch. 4 para. 13The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 5(f)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026Sch. 4 para. 14The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 5(f)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026Sch. 4 para. 15The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 5(f)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026Sch. 4 para. 16The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 5(f)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026Sch. 4 para. 17The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 5(f)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026Sch. 4 para. 18The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 5(f)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026Sch. 4 para. 19The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 5(f)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026Sch. 4 para. 20The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 5(f)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026Sch. 4 para. 21The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 5(f)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026Sch. 4 para. 22The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 5(f)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026Sch. 4 para. 23The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 5(f)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026Sch. 4 para. 24The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 5(f)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026Sch. 4 para. 25The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 5(f)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026s. 4The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 6(a)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026s. 8The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 6(b)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026s. 9The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Regulations 2026reg. 6(c) Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 Part 1Children’s social careFamily group decision-making1Family group decision-makingChild protection and safeguarding2Inclusion of childcare and education agencies in safeguarding arrangements3Multi-agency child protection teams for local authority areas4Information sharing and consistent identifiersSupport for children in care, leaving care or in kinship care and carers5Information: children in kinship care and their carers6Promoting educational achievement7Provision of advice and other support8Local offer for care leavers9Care leavers not to be regarded as becoming homeless intentionally10Sibling contact with children in careAccommodation of children11Children in temporary accommodation12Accommodation of looked after children: regional co-operation arrangements13Use of accommodation for deprivation of libertyRegulation of children’s homes, fostering agencies etc14Powers of CIECSS in relation to parent undertakings15Power of CIECSS to impose monetary penalties16Financial oversight17Power to limit profits of relevant providers18Power of Secretary of State to impose monetary penalties19Procedure for imposing monetary penalties20Information sharingCare workers21Use of agency workers for children’s social care work22Ill-treatment or wilful neglect of childrenCorporate parenting23Corporate parenting responsibilities24Cases in which duty under section 23(1) does not apply25Corporate parenting duty: collaborative working26Duty to have regard to guidance27Reports by Secretary of StateEmployment of children28Employment of children in England and Wales29Employment of children in Scotland Part 2SchoolsSchool meals, breakfast clubs etc30Free breakfast club provision in primary schools in England31Food and drink provided at Academies32Free school lunches: eligibility33Free school meals etc: information sharingAllergy safety34Allergy safety policy for pupils at schoolsSchool uniforms35School uniforms: limits on branded itemsMobile phones36Guidance on use of mobile phones etc in schools in EnglandChildren not in school37Withdrawal of children from school: local authority involvement38Registration39School attendance orders40Children not in school: processing of information41Guidance on children not in school and school attendance orders42Children not in school: consequential amendmentsIndependent educational institutions43Expanding the scope of regulation44Independent educational institution standards45Unregistered independent educational institutions: prevention orders46Material changes47Deregistration by agreement48Imposition of relevant restrictions49Powers of entry and investigation etc50Application of schools provision to independent educational institutionsInspections of schools and colleges51Inspectors and inspectorates: reports and information sharingTeacher misconduct52Teacher misconductSchool teachers’ qualifications and induction53School teachers’ qualifications and inductionAcademies54Academy schools: duty to follow National Curriculum55Academy schools: educational provision for improving behaviour56Academies: power to secure performance of proprietor’s duties57Inspection of Academy proprietors58Repeal of duty to make Academy order in relation to school causing concernTeachers’ pay and conditions59Pay and conditions of Academy teachers60Application of pay and conditions orders to education action zonesSchool places and admissions61Co-operation between schools and local authorities62Power to direct admission: extension to Academies63Power to direct admission: additional triggers64Functions of adjudicator in relation to admission numbersEstablishment of new schools65Amendments to invitation process for establishment of new schools66Certain proposals to establish new schools: publication requirements etc67Establishment of pupil referral units68Process for considering, approving and implementing proposals for the establishment of new schools69Transitional provision Part 3Online safety etc70Power to require providers of internet services to prevent or restrict access by children to internet services71Progress statement72Age of consent in relation to processing of a child’s personal data: information society services Part 4General73Power to make consequential provision74Power to make consequential provision: Wales75Power to make consequential provision: Scotland76Financial provision77Extent78Commencement79Short title Schedules Schedule 1Relevant authoritiesPart 1List of relevant authorities1The Secretary of State. 2The Lord Chancellor. 3(1) The governing body of a maintained school in England....4(1) The proprietor of a non-maintained special school in England....5(1) The proprietor of— (a) an Academy (as defined by...6(1) The governing body of an institution in England within...7(1) The proprietor of a special post-16 institution in England...8His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills....9NHS England. 10An integrated care board established under section 14Z25 of the...11An NHS foundation trust within the meaning given by section...12An NHS trust established under section 25 of the National...13The Care Quality Commission. 14The Youth Justice Board for England and Wales. Part 2Power to modify Part 1 15(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations made by...16(1) Regulations under paragraph 15(1)(a) may not add a person...17(1) Regulations under paragraph 15(1)(a) may not add a person... Schedule 2Children not in school: consequential amendments1Children Act 19892Education Act 19963School Standards and Framework Act 19984Sentencing Act 2020 Schedule 3Pay and conditions of Academy teachers: amendments to the Education Act 2002 1Part 8 of the Education Act 2002 (teachers’ pay and...2In section 120(2) (School Teachers’ Review Body function: meaning of...3In section 121(2) (bodies to be consulted by School Teachers’...4In the heading of section 122, after “conditions” insert “of...5After section 122 insert— Power to set minimum remuneration of...6In section 122A (inserted by paragraph 5), after subsection (10)...7In section 123 (scope of section 122 orders)— 8In section 124 (supplementary provision), after “122”, in each place...9In section 125(1) (requirement to refer matter before making order),...10In section 126 (bodies to be consulted by the Secretary...11In section 127 (guidance issued by the Secretary of State)—...12After section 127 insert— References to “Academy” and “Academy arrangements”...13In section 210(6) (orders not subject to Parliamentary procedure), after... Schedule 4Establishment of new schools: amendments to Schedule 2 to the Education and Inspections Act 2006 1Schedule 2 to the Education and Inspections Act 2006 (proposals...2In paragraph 1(1) (application of Schedule), omit “, 11”. 3In paragraph 2 (meaning of “the relevant authority”), in paragraph...4Omit paragraph 3A (meaning of “Academy proposals” and “non-Academy proposals”)...5(1) Paragraph 4 (references to persons by whom proposals are...6Omit paragraph 5A (consideration of proposals: distinction between Academy and...7In paragraph 6 (consideration of proposals), for “10 or 11”...8Omit paragraph 7A (consideration of Academy proposals). 9(1) Paragraph 8 (consideration of proposals: further provision) is amended...10In paragraph 9 (consideration of proposals that are related to...11In the italic heading before paragraph 10, after “refer to”...12(1) Paragraph 10 (duty to refer certain proposals to adjudicator)...13In the italic heading before paragraph 12, for “adjudicator” substitute...14In paragraph 12 (duty to refer proposals in pursuance of...15In the italic heading before paragraph 13, after “refer” insert...16For paragraph 13 (duty to refer proposals where determination delayed)...17(1) Paragraph 14 (reference to adjudicator at request of aggrieved...18(1) Paragraph 15 (duty to refer related proposals) is amended...19(1) Paragraph 16 (withdrawal of proposals before determination) is amended...20In the italic heading before paragraph 17, after “to” insert...21For paragraph 17 substitute— (1) This paragraph applies where any proposals are referred to...22After paragraph 17 insert— Proposals to establish Academy (1) This paragraph applies in relation to proposals published under...23(1) Paragraph 19 (determination whether to implement proposals not requiring...24(1) Paragraph 21 (requirement to implement proposals) is amended as...25(1) Paragraph 22 (proposals not falling to be implemented) is... 2026 Chapter 21 An Act to make provision about the safeguarding and welfare of children; about support for children in care or leaving care; about regulation of care workers; about regulation of establishments and agencies under Part 2 of the Care Standards Act 2000; about employment of children; about breakfast club provision and school uniform; about allergy safety in schools; about guidance relating to use of mobile phones and other interactive communication devices in schools; about attendance of children at school; about regulation of independent educational institutions; about inspections of schools and colleges; about teacher misconduct; about Academies and teachers at Academies; repealing section 128 of the Education Act 2002; about school places and admissions; about establishing new schools; about preventing or restricting access by children to internet services; about the age of consent in relation to processing of a child’s personal data in relation to information society services; and for connected purposes. [29th April 2026] Be it enacted by the King’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—