Nadia on... the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill

It is often said that the true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members. Nowhere is this more evident than in how we care for our children and the world we design for them. Children are not just the future of our country, they're the clearest reflection of our values and political priorities today. That’s why I’ve passionately supported campaigns on retrofitting schools, improving climate education, ending child poverty and protecting young people’s mental health – I want us to leave a better and more livable world for generations to come. 

It’s also why I am proud to support the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, a landmark piece of legislation from this government that prioritises the safety, health, and futures of young people at the heart of policymaking. This Bill outlines ambitious plans to expand access to quality education and ensure vulnerable children are no longer overlooked, through significant improvements in both social care and schools policy. At its core, this Bill is about safeguarding children and attempting to prevent tragic cases, such as the horrific crimes committed against Sara Sharif, from ever occurring again. The Children’s Charities coalition has called it “a major step forward”.

As the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill is wide-ranging, there are a few parts of it I want to highlight. Firstly, the rollout of free breakfasts for all primary school pupils will prevent children from starting school hungry and struggling to concentrate during their lessons. The cost of living crisis under the Tories severely impacted families and caregivers, leaving many dependent on the support of food banks. Last year, the Trussell Trust distributed 1.1 million food parcels to children. Now, our government will help ease this pressure, saving parents up to £450 per year.

Secondly, I’m pleased that the profits of children’s home providers will be capped, ending the scandal of local authorities being forced to shell out huge sums of money to private providers. Last year, analysis by the Local Government Association revealed that the top fifteen private children’s social care providers are making an average profit of 23%. The new Bill will crack down on providers making excessive profits and tackle unregistered provisions, especially as a rising number of children are placed in illegal care homes. Last November, I asked the Education Secretary if she would also commit to properly funding not-for-profit and public sector provisions, to improve children’s social care services and end social care profiteering for good.

Finally, the measures aimed at limiting risks of neglect or abuse outside of school, such as the introduction of a unique identifying number for children and a register for all children not in school, cannot be implemented quickly enough. A recent report highlighted that not being in school, missing education or having poor school attendance creates and exacerbates risks of harm for children. Without these systems, gaps in monitoring allow at-risk children to slip through unnoticed, leaving them exposed to greater dangers and reducing their chances of receiving necessary support and protection.

The Bill's proposal for consistent pay and conditions across all state-funded schools, including academies, is a vital step toward improving the quality of education for students. Addressing disparities in pay and working conditions aims to attract and retain skilled teachers, ultimately reducing turnover and the disruption it causes to children’s education. Under the Conservatives, teachers’ pay suffered, which led to a high staff turnover and a disruption in children’s education.

As with any Bill, there are areas in which I believe it could be strengthened. Many education experts, including the Children’s Commissioner, have pointed out the need for schools to be made the fourth statutory safeguarding partner, alongside the police, local authorities and health settings. It’s a shocking figure, but every year, around 500,000 children in the UK are abused. Children spend a significant amount of their time in education settings, and therefore it makes sense to have a joined up system between safeguarding partners, including schools, to ensure children are safeguarded and their welfare is protected. 

I would also like to see greater efforts to tackle children’s poverty. Child Poverty Action reports that in an average classroom of thirty pupils, nine are living in poverty. In Nottingham, that number is higher, with 40% of children in poverty. While free breakfast for all primary school children will boost their wellbeing, the government should go further and provide free school meals for all. Access to nutritious food is a basic right that every child deserves. Beyond the Bill, addressing unaffordable housing and implementing progressive reforms to the benefits system (such as lifting the two child benefit cap) should too be critical priorities.

Lastly, we need to invest in areas that will improve children’s wellbeing, including putting more resources into children and adolescent mental health services. Too many young people are waiting too long to access the help they need – in 2023, nearly 40,000 children experienced a wait of over two years for mental health support. The pressures young people face today are immense, from navigating individual social challenges to coping with the climate crisis and an ever-changing digital world. By dedicating more resources to mental health support, we can give children the tools to manage these challenges and lead healthier, happier lives.

In England, only one in five children feel their voices matter, and just 10% of teenagers believe they can influence issues they care about. This is a heart-breaking state of affairs that must change. Prioritising education, health, and social care is key to building fairer lives for young people. Let’s ensure every child knows their voice matters and that their future is bright.

nadiawhittome.org