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Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026: a summary

Get to grips with the key headlines in the legislation, which aims to better protect children and raise standards in education.

Last reviewed on 8 May 2026See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 45041
Contents
  1. What is the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026?
  2. Reform of safeguarding arrangements
  3. Wider measures for all schools
  4. New duties and expectations for academies
  5. Tighter regulations for independent schools
  6. Other reforms set out in the act 

What is the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026?

The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 became law on 29 April 2026.

The act aims to improve children's wellbeing through a series of reforms affecting schools, local authorities (LAs) and other child services.

The act is organised into 3 main parts:

  • Children's social care
  • Schools
  • Online safety

Some of the key headlines at a glance

From 29 June 2026

  • Statutory pay and conditions framework extended to academies
  • School food standards extended to academies 
  • An end to automatic forced academisation for schools causing concern
  • A new legal duty for schools and LAs to cooperate on admissions and place planning

From September 2026

  • A cap on compulsory branded school uniform items
  • Expanded free school meal (FSM) eligibility
  • New statutory duty to support pupils with allergies

Pupils banned from using mobile phones in school during the school day Stricter home education rules Routine Ofsted inspections of academy