Outlining some of the measures likely in the bill, Hodge said the fusion of education and social services was "not negotiable", despite opposition from many local authorities.
Depending on the exact definition used in the bill, sector insiders believe the measure could see most of England's youth services absorbed into super-departments that command the bulk of local government cash. It could also result in youth services based in leisure or culture departments left on the sidelines.
Hodge, who was speaking at a Local Government Association conference on children's services reform, also confirmed that the legislation would create a children's commissioner for England, and require local councils to appoint a director of children's services and name a councillor for children's services. The bill, expected in March, will also place a duty on professionals to safeguard children, although it is unclear to whom this will apply.
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