Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have conducted a review of the statutory framework in sections 10 (Co-operation to improve well-being), 12A (Establishment of Children’s Trust Boards), 12B and 12C (Functions and procedures of CTBs), 17 (Children and young people's plans) and 17A (Children and young people's plans: implementation) of the Children Act 2004, which place a duty to co-operate on local authorities, schools and other relevant partners to achieve the objectives set out in the agreed local plan; and whether that framework is consistent with the proposals set out in Chapter 6 (Collaboration between schools and with other partners) of Every Child Achieving and Thriving (CP 1508-I), published in February 2026.

The government keeps the legislative framework for children's services under review but has not carried out a specific review of the provisions cited.

‘Every Child Achieving and Thriving’ sets out the government's ambition for a school system rooted in partnership, collaboration and collective responsibility for improving outcomes for children and young people.

The principles underpinning Chapter 6 are consistent with the longstanding objective of effective partnership working between local authorities, schools, trusts and other local partners to improve outcomes for children and young people.

Section 2 of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 amended section 16 of the Children Act 2004 to require statutory safeguarding partners to automatically secure the participation of childcare and education settings in their arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.