Overview

The Children, Schools and Families Act 2010 is a UK law covering various aspects of children's welfare, education, and family proceedings. It introduced changes to school inspections, provisions for children with special educational needs, governing body powers, Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs), and regulations surrounding the publication of information relating to family proceedings.

Description

Children and Schools:

The Act amended existing education legislation. Key changes included strengthening school inspection requirements to specifically consider the needs of pupils with disabilities and special educational needs. It provided for appeals against local authority decisions not to amend statements of special educational needs, and it clarified exceptional education provision for ill or excluded children. The Act also granted more power to governing bodies to provide community facilities and form companies to establish academies.

Family Proceedings:

A significant part of the Act focused on restricting the publication of information from family proceedings to protect the privacy and safety of those involved, particularly children. It established a framework of authorized publications, outlining which information could be published and under what conditions, while introducing offenses for unauthorized disclosure. The Act also specified circumstances that would allow the release of information and introduced appeals processes for decisions regarding publication. An independent review of the Act's impact on the publication of information was mandated.

Government Spending

The Act stipulated that any expenditure incurred by a Minister of the Crown under its provisions, and any increase in sums payable under other enactments attributable to the Act, would be paid out of money provided by Parliament. No specific figures were provided in the Act itself.

Groups Affected

• Children with special educational needs and disabilities: The Act strengthens their rights and ensures their needs are better considered in school inspections and appeals processes.
• Parents of children with special educational needs: The Act grants them a clearer right to appeal decisions about their child's statement of special educational needs.
• School governing bodies: The Act extends their powers to provide community facilities and establish academies.
• Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs): The Act enhances their powers to request and access information relevant to their functions.
• Individuals involved in family proceedings: The Act significantly impacts their privacy rights, restricting publication of information to protect their safety and welfare.
• News organizations and journalists: The Act introduces stricter rules on publishing information about family proceedings.

Powered by nyModel