Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the explanatory memorandum on the Adoption and Children (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020, what plans he has to undertake that continuous review of the regulations; whom he plans to consult to determine the effect of the regulations on children and young people; and how frequently he plans to undertake that consultation.

We have committed to keeping these regulations under continuous review. We will consider the continued need for and impact of these regulations through regular engagement with a range of stakeholders across the children’s social care sector. As part of this process, we will be monitoring the local need for and use of the flexibilities provided, including through feedback from frontline practitioners and the newly formed Regional Education and Care Teams which consolidate those Department for Education teams that have regular contact with local authorities.