A bill to bring in independent social work practices, short breaks for disabled children and designated teachers for looked-after children became law last week.
The Children and Young Persons Bill received Royal Assent after a final reading in the House of Lords.
Conservative spokesperson on children and families Baroness Morris of Bolton said: "We must do all we can do make sure children do not enter the care system in the first place. We have taken important steps towards this goal in the Bill."
A duty of safeguarding for immigrant children which campaigners had hoped to see included in the Act will instead be included in the forthcoming Immigration and Citizenship Bill. A UK Borders Agency code of practice to keep children safe from harm will be published in early December.
