Overview

This bill aims to strengthen the safeguarding and welfare of children in education and training settings in England and Wales. It does this by imposing new duties on providers of 16-19 academies, further education, apprenticeships, and technical education to ensure that their practices prioritize children's well-being.

Description

The bill amends the Education Act 2002 and the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009. Key changes include:

• 16 to 19 Academies and Further Education: It mandates that proprietors of 16-19 academies must make arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. The Secretary of State can't provide financial assistance to further education institutions unless they comply with these new safeguarding duties. These duties include making arrangements to ensure that the proprietor's functions relating to the conduct of the institution are exercised with a view to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and having regard to any guidance given by the Secretary of State.
• Apprenticeships and Technical Education: The bill prevents the Secretary of State from providing financial resources for apprenticeships or technical education unless providers comply with safeguarding duties. These duties are similar to those imposed on 16-19 academies and further education institutions – making arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children receiving education or training and having regard to any guidance given by the Secretary of State.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify an increase or decrease in government spending. However, the imposition of safeguarding duties may indirectly lead to increased costs for education and training providers to implement necessary changes to comply with the new regulations. The government may also incur additional costs in relation to monitoring and enforcing compliance.

Groups Affected

• 16-19 Academies and Further Education Providers: These providers will face new responsibilities and potentially increased costs to meet the safeguarding duties.
• Apprenticeship and Technical Education Providers: Similar to above, they will incur new responsibilities and may face increased costs.
• Children in Education and Training: This bill is designed to improve their safety and well-being.
• Secretary of State for Education: This individual will be responsible for overseeing compliance with the new duties and may need to allocate resources for monitoring and enforcement.

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