My Hon Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Children and Families) (Josh MacAlister) has made the following statement:

Transforming children’s social care is central to our mission to break down the barriers to opportunity. It is fundamental to ensuring that every child grows up safe, supported and able to...

My Hon Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Children and Families) (Josh MacAlister) has made the following statement:

Transforming children’s social care is central to our mission to break down the barriers to opportunity. It is fundamental to ensuring that every child grows up safe, supported and able to...

Transforming children’s social care is central to our mission to break down the barriers to opportunity. It is fundamental to ensuring that every child grows up safe, supported and able to thrive. Today, we are publishing the Enduring Relationships Strategy, which sets a clear direction for children’s social care in...

Transforming children’s social care is central to our mission to break down the barriers to opportunity. It is fundamental to ensuring that every child grows up safe, supported and able to thrive. Today, we are publishing the Enduring Relationships Strategy, which sets a clear direction for children’s social care in...

Enduring relationships strategy for Children’s Social Care. 25p.

Enduring relationships strategy for Children’s Social Care. 25p.

A debate on children's services in local authorities is scheduled to take place in Westminster Hall on 28 January 2026. The debate will be led by Will Forster MP.​

A debate on children's services in local authorities is scheduled to take place in Westminster Hall on 28 January 2026. The debate will be led by Will Forster MP.​

Lords report stage first day. Amendment 4 agreed to. Amendment 6 agreed to on division (278 to 176). Amendments 12 and 14 agreed to. Amendment 17 agreed to on division (213 to 211). Amendments 18, 20 to 22 and 24 to 26 agreed to. (Part 1 of 2).

Lords report stage first day. Amendment 4 agreed to. Amendment 6 agreed to on division (278 to 176). Amendments 12 and 14 agreed to. Amendment 17 agreed to on division (213 to 211). Amendments 18, 20 to 22 and 24 to 26 agreed to. (Part 1 of 2).

Moved by

Baroness Barran

1: Clause 1, page 1, line 9, after “meeting” insert “, or family group conference,”

Member's explanatory statement

This is a probing amendment to understand why there is a difference in the terms used in the bill and the evaluation, and whether there is a different intent with the family...

Moved by

Baroness Barran

1: Clause 1, page 1, line 9, after “meeting” insert “, or family group conference,”

Member's explanatory statement

This is a probing amendment to understand why there is a difference in the terms used in the bill and the evaluation, and whether there is a different intent with the family...

My Lords, it is good to be back scrutinising the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill after what seems like a long break. But noble Lords will remember that, while I think all sides of the House supported the approach of family group conferencing or a family group decision-making meeting, as...

My Lords, it is good to be back scrutinising the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill after what seems like a long break. But noble Lords will remember that, while I think all sides of the House supported the approach of family group conferencing or a family group decision-making meeting, as...

My Lords, we should be grateful to the noble Baroness, Lady Barran, for returning us to this important topic of family group conferences and for the refined amendments she has now presented, including Amendment 3, to which I have added my name. They would embed what is now established as...

My Lords, we should be grateful to the noble Baroness, Lady Barran, for returning us to this important topic of family group conferences and for the refined amendments she has now presented, including Amendment 3, to which I have added my name. They would embed what is now established as...

My Lords, while welcoming the Government’s amendment to ensure that the child’s voice is heard in family group decision-making, I add my support to the amendments in this group in the name of my noble friend Lady Barran.

As we discussed in Committee, family group decision-making is a broad, generic term—without...

My Lords, while welcoming the Government’s amendment to ensure that the child’s voice is heard in family group decision-making, I add my support to the amendments in this group in the name of my noble friend Lady Barran.

As we discussed in Committee, family group decision-making is a broad, generic term—without...

My Lords, I will speak briefly in support of the amendments tabled by the noble Baroness, Lady Barran, and particularly Amendment 5, to which I added my name. I declare my interests as a teacher in a state school in Hackney and someone who has also been a kinship carer.

I...

My Lords, I will speak briefly in support of the amendments tabled by the noble Baroness, Lady Barran, and particularly Amendment 5, to which I added my name. I declare my interests as a teacher in a state school in Hackney and someone who has also been a kinship carer.

I...

My Lords, anecdotal evidence often does not help, but Margaret and I adopted a brother and sister because their mother had died of cancer. The boy was eight and his sister was three. They came to live with us. After quite a considerable period of time, we consulted their family...

My Lords, anecdotal evidence often does not help, but Margaret and I adopted a brother and sister because their mother had died of cancer. The boy was eight and his sister was three. They came to live with us. After quite a considerable period of time, we consulted their family...

I look forward to the Minister’s response on this issue, which is important. It is important that families understand exactly what is happening. I think the noble Baroness, Lady Barran, used the phrase “kept in the dark”. On far too many occasions people do not know what is going on,...

I look forward to the Minister’s response on this issue, which is important. It is important that families understand exactly what is happening. I think the noble Baroness, Lady Barran, used the phrase “kept in the dark”. On far too many occasions people do not know what is going on,...

My Lords, I turn to the first group of amendments to this important Bill on Report. I thank noble Lords for their contributions. I start with a message of reassurance that this Government are committed to hearing from and listening to children about what matters to them most. It is...

My Lords, I turn to the first group of amendments to this important Bill on Report. I thank noble Lords for their contributions. I start with a message of reassurance that this Government are committed to hearing from and listening to children about what matters to them most. It is...

On the last point on Amendment 5, the noble Baroness talked about the local care offer. Is she able to say today whether she expects that, when the consultation happens and a template is developed for what that will look like, there will be a specific section on reunification? Obviously,...

On the last point on Amendment 5, the noble Baroness talked about the local care offer. Is she able to say today whether she expects that, when the consultation happens and a template is developed for what that will look like, there will be a specific section on reunification? Obviously,...

I can assure the noble Baroness that her comments are fed into the process and that they are listened to.

I can assure the noble Baroness that her comments are fed into the process and that they are listened to.

I thank the noble Baroness for her remarks; she also comes with huge expertise on this subject. I apologise to the noble Lord, Lord Meston, for not acknowledging his co-signature of Amendment 3.

I was reassured by what the noble Baroness, Lady Blake, said on Amendments 1 and 2. I accept...

I thank the noble Baroness for her remarks; she also comes with huge expertise on this subject. I apologise to the noble Lord, Lord Meston, for not acknowledging his co-signature of Amendment 3.

I was reassured by what the noble Baroness, Lady Blake, said on Amendments 1 and 2. I accept...

Moved by

Baroness Blake of Leeds

4: Clause 1, page 2, line 24, leave out from “child” to end of line 26 and insert “a local authority must, so far as is reasonably practicable and consistent with the child’s welfare—

(a) ascertain the child’s wishes and feelings regarding the exercise of those functions,...

Moved by

Baroness Blake of Leeds

4: Clause 1, page 2, line 24, leave out from “child” to end of line 26 and insert “a local authority must, so far as is reasonably practicable and consistent with the child’s welfare—

(a) ascertain the child’s wishes and feelings regarding the exercise of those functions,...

Moved by

Baroness Barran

6: After Clause 1, insert the following new Clause—

“Cessation of Child Protection Plans

When proceedings are initiated or a care and supervision order is issued under section 31 of the Children Act 1989, if there is any cessation of child protection plans for children under five years old, that...

Moved by

Baroness Barran

6: After Clause 1, insert the following new Clause—

“Cessation of Child Protection Plans

When proceedings are initiated or a care and supervision order is issued under section 31 of the Children Act 1989, if there is any cessation of child protection plans for children under five years old, that...

My Lords, Amendment 6 in my name and that of the noble Baroness, Lady Tyler of Enfield, who through no fault of her own is unable to be with us this afternoon, would require sign-off from the director of children’s services or head of social work practice when a child...

My Lords, Amendment 6 in my name and that of the noble Baroness, Lady Tyler of Enfield, who through no fault of her own is unable to be with us this afternoon, would require sign-off from the director of children’s services or head of social work practice when a child...

My Lords, I support my noble friend Lady Barran on Amendments 6, 13, 17, 250 and 251. I have also added my name to Amendments 11, 15 and 16. I remind your Lordships of my registered interests: I am a councillor in the London Borough of Bexley and was previously...

My Lords, I support my noble friend Lady Barran on Amendments 6, 13, 17, 250 and 251. I have also added my name to Amendments 11, 15 and 16. I remind your Lordships of my registered interests: I am a councillor in the London Borough of Bexley and was previously...