Children and Families Act receives royal assent

The legislation includes a number of new measures to protect the welfare of children, including giving children in care the choice to stay with their foster families until they turn 21 and a new legal duty on schools to support children at school with medical conditions better.

Meanwhile, there are reforms to children’s residential care designed to make homes safer and improve the quality of care vulnerable children receive.

The act will also introduce measures intended to help people better balance their work and home life.

From next month, mothers, fathers and adopters can opt to share parental leave around their child’s birth or placement – with mothers and fathers being able to take up to a year, or several months at the same time.

The act will also make it illegal for people to smoke in cars when children are present.

Children’s minister Edward Timpson, said the act would make a big difference for vulnerable children.

“Our adoption reforms will help the 6,000 children who need loving homes to be adopted,” he said.

“Our reforms to special educational needs will see a system introduced which is designed around the needs of children and will support them up to the age of 25.

“For children coming into the care system, the new 26-week time limit for care proceedings will reduce unnecessary delays.

“Virtual school heads will champion their education; children in residential care will live in safer, better quality homes and care leavers will have the option to stay with their foster families until they turn 21.

“The act will also make it easier for families to access more flexible childcare, and give young carers’ greater support.”