Children and Families Bill 2012-13 to 2013-14

Last updated: 1st December 2013

 

Children and Families Bill 2012-13 to 2013-14

 

In the

House of Lords – Main Chamber

Children and Families Bill – Report stage – Lord Nash

on

Monday 9 December 2013

from 14:30pm

 

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   < Parliament TV >

 

Latest news on the Children and Families Bill 2012-13 to 2013-14

Line by line examination of the Bill took place during the final day of committee stage on 20 November 2013.

Amendments discussed covered clauses 89, 90, 93, 99, 104 of the Bill.

Report stage – further line by line examination of the Bill – is scheduled for 9 December 2013.

 

 

Summary of the Children and Families Bill 2012-13 to 2013-14

The Bill seeks to reform legislation relating to the following areas:

  • adoption and children in care
  • aspects of the family justice system
  • children and young people with special educational needs
  • the Office of the Children’s Commissioner for England
  • statutory rights to leave and pay for parents and adopters
  • time off work for ante-natal care
  • the right to request flexible working

 

 

 

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Report stage (Commons)Report stage gives MPs an opportunity, on the floor of the House, to consider further amendments (proposals for change) to a Bill which has been examined in committee.

There is no set time period between the end of committee stage and the start of the report stage.

 

 

 

 

First reading : 9 May 2013 – First reading is the first stage of a Bill’s passage through the House of Commons

Second reading : 9 May 2013 – Debate on general principles of the Bill. Second reading is the first opportunity for MPs to debate the main principles of the Bill.

It usually takes place no sooner than two weekends after first reading.

Presentation and resumption of proceedings (Standing Order No. 80A)

1st & 2nd Reading

9th May 2013

Hansard

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Committee stageLine by line examination of the Bill. Committee stage is where detailed examination of the Bill takes place. It usually starts within a couple of weeks of a Bill’s second reading, although this is not guaranteed.

Government Bills are usually formally timetabled after they have received a second reading.

 

(Day 10) am                       19th sitting:  (1) (2)

25th April 2013

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16th Apr 2013

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Programme motion (No.2

15th Apr 2013

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21st Mar 2013

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Second reading : 25 Feb 2013 – Debate on general principles of the Bill. Second reading is the first opportunity for MPs to debate the main principles of the Bill.

It usually takes place no sooner than two weekends after first reading.

(Day 1) 25th Feb 2013 Hansard TV

 

 

First reading : 4 Feb 2013 – First reading is the first stage of a Bill’s passage through the House of Commons

Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57)

(Day 1)

4th Feb 2013

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 THIS BILL STARTS IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS ON THE 4TH FEBRUARY 2013

 

 

Bill stages — Children and Families Bill 2012-13 to 2013-14

Dates for all stages of the passage of the Bill, including links to the debates.

Stage Date
1st reading: House of Commons 1st reading: House of Commons 4 February, 2013 04.02.2013
2nd reading: House of Commons 2nd reading: House of Commons 25 February, 2013 25.02.2013
Money resolution: House of Commons Money resolution: House of Commons 25 February, 2013 25.02.2013
Ways and Means resolution: House of Commons Ways and Means resolution: House of Commons 25 February, 2013 25.02.2013
Carry-over motion: House of Commons Carry-over motion: House of Commons 25 February, 2013 25.02.2013
Programme motion: House of Commons Programme motion: House of Commons 25 February, 2013 25.02.2013
Committee Debate: 1st sitting: House of Commons Committee Debate: 1st sitting: House of Commons 5 March, 2013 (1) (2) 05.03.2013
Committee Debate: 2nd sitting: House of Commons Committee Debate: 2nd sitting: House of Commons 5 March, 2013 (1) (2) 05.03.2013
Committee Debate: 3rd sitting: House of Commons Committee Debate: 3rd sitting: House of Commons 7 March, 2013 (1) (2) 07.03.2013
Committee Debate: 4th sitting: House of Commons Committee Debate: 4th sitting: House of Commons 7 March, 2013 (1) (2) 07.03.2013
Committee Debate: 5th sitting: House of Commons Committee Debate: 5th sitting: House of Commons 12 March, 2013 (1) (2) 12.03.2013
Committee Debate: 6th sitting: House of Commons Committee Debate: 6th sitting: House of Commons 12 March, 2013 (1) (2) 12.03.2013
Committee Debate: 7th sitting: House of Commons Committee Debate: 7th sitting: House of Commons 14 March, 2013 (1) (2) 14.03.2013
Committee Debate: 8th sitting: House of Commons Committee Debate: 8th sitting: House of Commons 14 March, 2013 (1) (2) 14.03.2013
Committee Debate: 9th sitting: House of Commons Committee Debate: 9th sitting: House of Commons 19 March, 2013 (1) (2) 19.03.2013
Committee Debate: 10th sitting: House of Commons Committee Debate: 10th sitting: House of Commons 19 March, 2013 (1) (2) 19.03.2013
Committee Debate: 11th sitting: House of Commons Committee Debate: 11th sitting: House of Commons 21 March, 2013 (1) (2) 21.03.2013
Committee Debate: 12th sitting: House of Commons Committee Debate: 12th sitting: House of Commons 21 March, 2013 (1) (2) 21.03.2013
Programme motion (No.2): House of Commons Programme motion (No.2): House of Commons 15 April, 2013 15.04.2013
Committee Debate: 13th sitting: House of Commons Committee Debate: 13th sitting: House of Commons 16 April, 2013 (1) (2) 16.04.2013
Committee Debate: 14th sitting: House of Commons Committee Debate: 14th sitting: House of Commons 16 April, 2013 (1) (2) 16.04.2013
Committee Debate: 15th sitting: House of Commons Committee Debate: 15th sitting: House of Commons 18 April, 2013 (1) (2) 18.04.2013
Committee Debate: 16th sitting: House of Commons Committee Debate: 16th sitting: House of Commons 18 April, 2013 (1) (2) 18.04.2013
Committee Debate: 17th sitting: House of Commons Committee Debate: 17th sitting: House of Commons 23 April, 2013 (1) (2) 23.04.2013
Committee Debate: 18th sitting: House of Commons Committee Debate: 18th sitting: House of Commons 23 April, 2013 (1) (2) 23.04.2013
Committee Debate: 19th sitting: House of Commons Committee Debate: 19th sitting: House of Commons 25 April, 2013 (1) (2) 25.04.2013
1st reading: House of Commons 1st reading: House of Commons 9 May, 2013 09.05.2013
2nd reading: House of Commons 2nd reading: House of Commons 9 May, 2013 09.05.2013
Report stage: House of Commons Report stage: House of Commons 11 June, 2013 11.06.2013
3rd reading: House of Commons 3rd reading: House of Commons 11 June, 2013 11.06.2013
1st reading: House of Lords 1st reading: House of Lords 12 June, 2013 12.06.2013
2nd reading: House of Lords 2nd reading: House of Lords 2 July, 2013 02.07.2013
Committee: 1st sitting: House of Lords Committee: 1st sitting: House of Lords 9 October, 2013 09.10.2013
Committee: 2nd sitting: House of Lords Committee: 2nd sitting: House of Lords 14 October, 2013 14.10.2013
Committee: 3rd sitting: House of Lords Committee: 3rd sitting: House of Lords 16 October, 2013 16.10.2013
Committee: 4th sitting: House of Lords Committee: 4th sitting: House of Lords 21 October, 2013 21.10.2013
Committee: 5th sitting: House of Lords Committee: 5th sitting: House of Lords 23 October, 2013 23.10.2013
Committee: 6th sitting: House of Lords Committee: 6th sitting: House of Lords 28 October, 2013 28.10.2013
Committee: 7th sitting: House of Lords Committee: 7th sitting: House of Lords 30 October, 2013 30.10.2013
Committee: 8th sitting: House of Lords Committee: 8th sitting: House of Lords 4 November, 2013 04.11.2013
Committee: 9th sitting: House of Lords Committee: 9th sitting: House of Lords 6 November, 2013 06.11.2013
Committee: 10th sitting: House of Lords Committee: 10th sitting: House of Lords 11 November, 2013 11.11.2013
Committee: 11th sitting: House of Lords Committee: 11th sitting: House of Lords 18 November, 2013 18.11.2013
Committee: 12th sitting: House of Lords Committee: 12th sitting: House of Lords 20 November, 2013 20.11.2013
Report stage: House of Lords Report stage: House of Lords 09.12.2013
Report stage: House of Lords Report stage: House of Lords 17.12.2013

 

 

Bill documents — Children and Families Bill 2012-13 to 2013-14

Bills

Full text of the Bill as introduced and further versions of the Bill as it is reprinted to incorporate amendments (proposals for change) made during its passage through Parliament.

House Bill Date
Lords HL Bill 59 2013-2014, as amended in Grand Committee | PDF version, 866KB 21.11.2013
Lords Bill 032 2013-14, as brought from the Commons | PDF version, 838KB 13.06.2013
Commons Bill 005 2013-14, as introduced | PDF version, 812KB 09.05.2013
Commons Bill 168 2012-2013 (as Amended in Public Bill Committee) | PDF version, 812KB 26.04.2013
Commons Bill 131 2012-13 (as introduced) | PDF version, 755KB 05.02.2013

Explanatory Notes

Documents prepared by the Government to explain the purpose of the Bill.

House Explanatory Notes Date
Lords Bill 032 2013-14, Explanatory Notes to the Bill | PDF version, 443KB 13.06.2013
Commons Bill 005 EN 2013-14, Explanatory Notes to the Bill | PDF version, 644KB 09.05.2013
Commons Bill 131 EN 2012-13 (Explanatory Notes to Bill) | PDF version, 637KB 05.02.2013

Amendment papers

Full list of amendment papers relating to the Bill. Individual amendment papers will be replaced with consolidated lists before the amendments are discussed.

House Amendment Paper Date
Lords Amendments to be moved on Report 28.11.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved on Report 27.11.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved on Report 22.11.2013
Lords Twelfth Marshalled List of Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 19.11.2013
Lords Eleventh Marshalled List of Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 15.11.2013
Lords Amendment to be moved in Grand Committee [Supplementary to the Tenth Marshalled List] 14.11.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee [Supplementary to the Tenth Marshalled List] 13.11.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee [Supplementary to the Tenth Marshalled List] 09.11.2013
Lords Tenth Marshalled List of Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 08.11.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee [Supplementary to the Ninth Marshalled List] 07.11.2013
Lords Ninth Marshalled List of Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 05.11.2013
Lords Amendment to be moved in Grand Committee [Supplementary to the Eighth Marshalled List] 02.11.2013
Lords Eighth Marshalled List of Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 01.11.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee [Supplementary to the Seventh Marshalled List] 31.10.2013
Lords Amendment to be moved in Grand Committee [Supplementary to the Seventh Marshalled List] 30.10.2013
Lords Seventh Marshalled List of Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 29.10.2013
Lords Amendment to be moved in Grand Committee [Supplementary to the Sixth Marshalled List] 26.10.2013
Lords Sixth Marshalled List of Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 25.10.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee [Supplementary to the Fifth Marshalled List] 23.10.2013
Lords Fifth Marshalled List of Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 22.10.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee [Supplementary to the Fourth Marshalled List] 19.10.2013
Lords Fourth Marshalled List of Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 18.10.2013
Lords Third Marshalled List of Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 15.10.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee [Supplementary to the Second Marshalled List] 12.10.2013
Lords Second Marshalled List of Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 11.10.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee [Supplementary to the Marshalled List] 10.10.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee [Supplementary to the Marshalled List] 09.10.2013
Lords Marshalled List of Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 08.10.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 05.10.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 04.10.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 03.10.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 02.10.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 25.09.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 24.09.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 21.09.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 20.09.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 18.09.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 17.09.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 13.09.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 12.09.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 10.09.2013
Lords Amendment to be moved in Grand Committee 17.08.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 17.08.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 07.08.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 31.07.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 30.07.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 26.07.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 24.07.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 23.07.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 20.07.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 18.07.2013
Lords Amendment to be moved in Grand Committee 16.07.2013
Lords Amendments to be moved in Grand Committee 06.07.2013
Commons Consideration of Bill Amendments as at 11 June 2013 | PDF version, 156KB 11.06.2013
Commons Notices of Amendments given up to including 7 June 2013 | PDF version, 255KB 10.06.2013
Commons Provisional Notices of Amendments and Added Names as at 6 June 2013 (PDF, 232KB) 07.06.2013
Commons Notices of Amendments given on 6 June 2013 | PDF version, 115KB 07.06.2013
Commons Notices of Amendments given on 5 June 2013 | PDF version, 130KB 06.06.2013
Commons Notices of Amendments given on 4 June 2013 | PDF version, 163KB 05.06.2013
Commons Notices of Amendments given on 3 June 2013 | PDF version, 100KB 04.06.2013
Commons Notices of Amendments given on 30 May 2013 (PDF, 25KB) 31.05.2013
Commons Notices of Amendments given on 21 May 2013 | PDF version, 106KB 21.05.2013
Commons Notices of Amendments given on 9 May 2013 | PDF version, 108KB 10.05.2013
Commons Notices of Amendments given on 25 April 2013 | PDF version, 120KB 26.04.2013
Commons Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 25 April 2013 | PDF version, 247KB 25.04.2013
Commons Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 23 April 2013 | PDF version, 180KB 23.04.2013
Commons Notices of Amendments given on 18 April 2013 | PDF version, 97KB 19.04.2013
Commons Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 18 April 2013 | PDF version, 242KB 18.04.2013
Commons Notices of Amendments given on 16 April 2013 | PDF version, 20KB 17.04.2013
Commons Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 16 April 2013 | PDF version, 374KB 16.04.2013
Commons Notices of Amendments given on 11 April 2013 | PDF version, 159KB 15.04.2013
Commons Notices of Amendments given on 10 April 2013 | PDF version, 113KB 11.04.2013
Commons Notices of Amendments given on 26 March 2013 | PDF version, 23KB 27.03.2013
Commons Notices of Amendments given on 25 March 2013 | PDF version, 161KB 26.03.2013
Commons Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 21 March 2013 | PDF version, 264KB 21.03.2013
Commons Notices of Amendments given on 19 March 2013 | PDF version, 93KB 20.03.2013
Commons Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 19 March 2013 | PDF version, 279KB 19.03.2013
Commons Notices of Amendments given on 14 March 2013 | PDF version, 200KB 15.03.2013
Commons Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 14 March 2013 | PDF version, 186KB 14.03.2013
Commons Notices of Amendments given on 12 March 2013 | PDF version, 103KB 13.03.2013
Commons Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 12 March 2013 | PDF version, 70KB 12.03.2013
Commons Notices of Amendments given on 7 March 2013 | PDF version, 137KB 08.03.2013
Commons Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 7 March 2013 | PDF version, 126KB 07.03.2013
Commons Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 5 March 2013 | PDF version, 34KB 05.03.2013
Commons Notices of Amendments given up to and including 1 March 2013 | PDF version, 130KB 04.03.2013
Commons Notices of Amendments given on 28 February 2013 | PDF version, 114KB 01.03.2013

Public Bill Committee and report stage proceedings: Commons

Details of the Public Bill Committee and report stage proceedings in the House of Commons. The documents contain the text of amendments considered at each sitting and show whether it was agreed to, negatived (not agreed), not called, not moved or withdrawn.

House Public Bill Committee and report stage proceedings: Commons Date
Commons Report Stage Proceedings as at 11 June 2013 | PDF version, 155KB 12.06.2013
Commons Public Bill Committee Proceedings as at 25 April 2013 | PDF version, 236KB 26.04.2013
Commons Public Bill Committee Proceedings as at 23 April 2013 | PDF version, 154KB 24.04.2013
Commons Public Bill Committee Proceedings as at 18 April 2013 | PDF version, 181KB 19.04.2013
Commons Public Bill Committee Proceedings as at 16 April 2013 | PDF version, 51KB 17.04.2013
Commons Public Bill Committee Proceedings as at 21 March 2013 | PDF version, 139KB 22.03.2013
Commons Public Bill Committee Proceedings as at 19 March 2013 | PDF version, 124KB 20.03.2013
Commons Public Bill Committee Proceedings as at 14 March 2013 | PDF version, 119KB 15.03.2013
Commons Public Bill Committee Proceedings as at 12 March 2013 | PDF version, 110KB 13.03.2013
Commons Public Bill Committee Proceedings as at 7 March 2013 | PDF version 08.03.2013
Commons Public Bill Committee Proceedings as at 5 March 2013 | PDF version, 110KB 06.03.2013

Research papers

House of Commons Library Research Papers and House of Lords Library Notes aim to be politically impartial. They contain factual information as well as a range of opinions on each subject. Research Papers and Library Notes on Bills are produced before Second Reading and, in the Commons, after Committee Stage.

House Research Paper Date
Commons Committee Stage Report 31.05.2013
Commons Briefing Paper on Second Reading 15.02.2013

Selection of amendments: Commons

In the House of Commons, amendments are grouped together so that amendments relating to a particular topic or issue are discussed together.

House Selection of amendments: Commons Date
Commons Consideration on Report (PDF, 12KB) 11.06.2013
Commons Consideration in Committee: Selection 8 (PDF, 13KB) 24.04.2013
Commons Consideration in Committee: Selection 7 (PDF, 17KB) 23.04.2013
Commons Consideration in Committee: Selection 6 (PDF, 19KB) 17.04.2013
Commons Consideration in Committee: Selection 5 (PDF, 27KB) 16.04.2013
Commons Consideration in Committee:Selection 4 (PDF, 22KB) 20.03.2013
Commons Consideration in Committee:Selection 3 (PDF, 23KB) 18.03.2013
Commons Consideration in Committee:Selection 2 (PDF, 16KB) 13.03.2013
Commons Consideration in Committee:Selection 1 (revised) (PDF, 15KB) 12.03.2013
Commons Consideration in Committee:Selection 1 (PDF, 15KB) 11.03.2013

Press Notices

Archive of Press Notices related to the Bill.

House Press Notices Date
Commons Children and Families Bill Committee announce evidence programme 04.03.2013
Commons Have your say on the Children and Families Bill 27.02.2013

Compare versions of Bills: Commons

The latest illustrative versions of the Bill, showing changes made in a Public Bill Committee in the House of Commons

House Compare versions of Bills: Commons Date
Commons Version of the bill showing changes made in committee (PDF, 852KB) 29.04.2013

Impact Assessments

List of related Impact Assessments

House Impact Assessments Date
Extending the Right to Request Flexible Working to All (PDF, 598KB) 01.03.2012

 

House of Commons Public Bill Committee on the Children and Families Bill 2012-13

Here you can browse the record of the public proceedings of the House of Commons Public Bill Committee on the Children and Families Bill.

 

Committee members and staff

Chairs: Mr Christopher Chope and Mr Dai Havard

21 Members:

 

Documents

Reports of Proceedings

Full transcripts of the Public Bill Committee meetings.

Proceeding Date
Committee Debate: 16th sitting | PDF version, 192KB                                       18.04.2013
Committee Debate: 15th sitting | PDF version, 142KB 18.04.2013
Committee Debate: 14th sitting | PDF version, 200KB 16.04.2013
Committee Debate: 13th sitting | PDF version, 150KB 16.04.2013
Committee Debate: 12th sitting | PDF version, 222KB 21.03.2013
Committee Debate: 11th sitting | PDF version, 125KB 21.03.2013
Committee Debate: 10th sitting | PDF version, 218KB 19.03.2013
Committee Debate: 9th sitting | PDF version, 149KB 19.03.2013
Committee Debate: 8th sitting | PDF version, 155KB 14.03.2013
Committee Debate: 7th sitting | PDF version, 122KB 14.03.2013
Committee Debate: 6th sitting | PDF version, 177KB 12.03.2013
Committee Debate: 5th sitting | PDF version, 145KB 12.03.2013
Committee Debate: 4th sitting | PDF version, 142KB 07.03.2013
Committee Debate: 3rd sitting | PDF version, 119KB 07.03.2013
Committee Debate: 2nd sitting | PDF version, 230KB 05.03.2013
Committee Debate: 1st sitting | PDF version 05.03.2013

 

Associated memoranda

Written submissions from outside bodies and individuals are circulated to MPs appointed to examine the Bill during committee stage in a Public Bill Committee. The following written submissions were sent to this committee.

Associated memoranda Date
Associated Memorandum submitted by Local Government Ombudsman CF63 19.04.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Working Families CF64 19.04.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Twins and Multiple Births Association (Tamba) CF65 19.04.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Equality and Human Rights Commission CF66 19.04.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Equality and Human Rights Commission – supplementary evidence CF67 19.04.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Kay Britton CF68 19.04.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Elizabeth Manning CF69 19.04.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Families Need Fathers CF70 19.04.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Shirley Jenkins CF71 19.04.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by National Family Mediation CF72 19.04.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by National Children’s Bureau CF73 19.04.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Mr John Cahill CF74 19.04.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Mrs Catherine Barrow CF75 19.04.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by His Honour John Platt CF76 19.04.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Kinship Care Alliance CF77 19.04.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Paula Jewes CF78 19.04.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Derek Gould and John Devine CF79 19.04.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by TUC CF80 19.04.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Linkage Community Trust CF81 19.04.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Linkage Community Trust CF82 19.04.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Portsmouth Parent Voice CF83 19.04.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by British Lung Foundation CF84 19.04.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Celia Conrad CF85 19.04.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Bernadette Dent CF86 19.04.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Bristol Grandparents Support Group CF87 19.04.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Rebecca Martland CF88 19.04.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Bliss CF89 19.04.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Sense CF55 22.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by London and Home Counties Regional Conference of Officers responsible for Special Education and Disability CF56 22.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Sarah Neville CF57 22.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Carol Innes CF58 22.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Amy Boyd CF59 22.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by NASUWT CF60 22.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children CF61 22.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Research in Practice CF62 22.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Hilary Terry CF35 20.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Dominique Brockhaus-Grand CF36 20.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Stacey Green CF37 20.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Suzanne Aldridge CF38 20.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF) CF39 20.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Professor Liz Trinder , Alison McLeod, Julia Pearce and Hilary Woodward (Exeter University) and Joan Hunt (Oxford University) CF40 20.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Sir Martin Narey, Government Advisor on Adoption CF41 20.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Down’s Syndrome Association CF42 20.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Angela Davies CF43 20.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Sue Gerrard CF44 20.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by The Law Society of England and Wales – supplementary evidence CF45 20.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Nagalro – supplementary evidence CF46 20.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by National Association of Independent Schools and Non-Maintained Special Schools (NASS) CF47 20.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Nasen CF48 20.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Communication Trust CF49 20.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Together for Short Lives CF50 20.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Department for Education CF51 20.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Consortium of National Specialist Colleges CF52 20.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Disability Rights UK CF53 20.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Federation of Small Businesses CF54 20.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Health Conditions in Schools Alliance CF26 15.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by British Academy of Childhood Disability (BACD) CF27 15.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by CLIC Sargent CF28 15.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Jane Raca, Author, Standing up for James CF29 15.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Law Society of England and Wales CF30 15.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Association of Professors of Social Work CF31 15.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Home Education Advisory Service CF32 15.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Nagalro CF33 15.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Mencap CF34 15.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Local Government Association CF19 13.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Fiona Nicholson CF20 13.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Association of National Specialist Colleges (Natspec) CF21 13.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by TCCR and One Plus One CF22 13.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Independent Parental Special Education Advice (IPSEA) CF23 13.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by UNICEF UK CF24 13.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) CF25 13.03.2013
Memorandum in Chief (AM) submitted by National Childminding Association CF11 08.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by The Fostering Network CF12 08.03.2013
Memorandum in Chief (PM) submitted by Barnardos CF13 08.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Jane Fortin and Joan Hunt CF14 08.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by ISCG CF15 08.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by National Deaf Children’s Society CF16 08.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Professor Hamilton, Children’s Legal Centre CF17 08.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Association of School and College Leaders CF18 08.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) CF01 06.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by the British Humanist Association CF02 06.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Children and Families Bill Public Reading: Final Summary CF03 06.03.2013
Memorandum in Chief (PM) submitted by Every Disabled Child Matters CF04 06.03.2013
Memorandum in Chief (PM) submitted by the Association of Colleges CF05 06.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by NUT CF06 06.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by NUT CF06 06.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Magistrates’ Association CF07 06.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by Pete Bentley CF08 06.03.2013
Memorandum in Chief (PM) submitted by Fatherhood Institute CF09 06.03.2013
Associated Memorandum submitted by British Association for Adoption and Fostering CF10 06.03.2013

 

11th February 2013

Children and Families Bill 2013:
Contextual Information and Responses to Pre-Legislative Scrutiny

Presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Education by Command of Her Majesty

 

21st November 2012

The Department for Education has asked the Committee to report on the draft clauses by Christmas
[PARLIAMENT TV LINK HERE],  [HANSARD -TEXT LINK HERE]

 

 

20th November 2012

The Department for Education has asked the Committee to report on the draft clauses by Christmas
[PARLIAMENT TV LINK HERE],  [HANSARD -TEXT LINK HERE]

 

 

7th November 2012

The Department of Education has asked the Committee to report on the draft clauses by Christmas
[PARLIAMENT TV LINK HERE],  [HANSARD -TEXT LINK HERE]

 7th November 2012
Draft legislation on adoption: early permanence through ‘Fostering for Adoption’ and matching for adoption

 

 

 

9th May 2012

QUEEN’S SPEECH – PARLIAMENT TV – TEXT HERE

 

New Children and Families Bill announced in Queen’s Speech

9th May 2012

Adoption, care proceedings and shared parenting changes to be introduced

The government will introduce a Children and Families Bill in the current parliamentary session. The Bill will legislate upon aspects of the Family Justice Review and the Action Plan for Adoption

 

DfE sets out key features of Children and Families Bill

The Bill is expected to be introduced early in 2013.
The Department for Education has set out the key features of the Children and Families Bill announced in the Queen’s Speech.

The main elements of the forthcoming Bill include:

 

Family Law
The key measures are:

  • creating a time limit of six months by which care cases must be completed
  • making it explicit that case management decisions should be made only after impacts on the child, their needs and timetable have been considered
  • focussing the court on those issues which are essential to deciding whether to make a care order
  • getting rid of unnecessary processes in family proceedings by removing the requirement for interim care and supervision orders to be renewed every month by the judge and instead allowing the judge to set the length and renewal requirements of interim orders for a period which he or she considers appropriate, up to the expected time limit
  • requiring courts to have regard to the impact of delay on the child when commissioning expert evidence and whether the court can obtain information from parties already involved
  • requiring parents in dispute to consider mediation as a means of settling that dispute rather than litigation by making attendance at a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting a statutory prerequisite to starting court proceedings
  • freeing up judicial time by allowing legal advisers to process uncontested divorce applications.

It follows the Government’s response in February 2012 to the final report of the independent Family Justice Review published in November 2011.

 

Adoption
The key measure is:

  • stopping local authorities delaying an adoption to find the perfect match if there are suitable adopters available. The ethnicity of a child and prospective adopters will come second, in most cases, to the speed of placing a child in a permanent home.

The proposal was set out in the Adoption Action Plan published in March 2012 – part of wider reforms to speed up and overhaul the system for prospective adoptive parents and children.

 

Shared Parenting
Ministers intend to strengthen the law to ensure children have a relationship with both their parents after family separation, where that is safe and in the child’s best interests.

The Government believes that this will encourage more separated parents to resolve their disputes out of court and agree care arrangements that fully involve both parents.

The Government will consult shortly on how the legislation can be framed to ensure that a meaningful relationship is not about an equal division of time but the quality of time that a child spends with each parent.

This was announced as part of the Government’s response to the independent Family Justice Review in February 2012. The review published its final report in November 2011.

 

Office of the Children’s Commissioner
The key measures are:

  • strengthening the Commissioner’s remit – with new overall function to “promote and protect children’s rights” as set out in the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child
  • widening the Commissoner’s remit to include the functions of the Children’s Rights Director in Ofsted
  • granting new powers to carry out assessments of the impact of new policies and legislation on children’s rights and underline existing duties on government and public services to publish formal responses to Commissioner’s reports
  • giving more independence from ministers and report directly to Parliament – with Parliament playing a stronger role in scrutinising the Commissioner’s performance
  • granting future Commissioners a single six-year term of office.

 

Special Education Needs
The key measures are:

  • replacing SEN statements and Learning Difficulty Assessments (for 16- to 25-year-olds) with a single, simpler 0-25 assessment process and Education, Health and Care Plan from 2014
  • providing statutory protections comparable to those currently associated with a statement of SEN to up to 25 in further education – instead of it being cut off at 16
  • requiring local authorities to publish a local offer showing the  support available to disabled children and young people and those with SEN, and their families
  • giving parents or young people with Education, Health and Care Plans the right to a personal budget for their support
  • introducing mediation for disputes and trialling giving children the right to appeal if they are unhappy with their support.

The government proposes to undertake consultation over the proposed changes.

The Speech contained no reference to same-sex marriage.

For details of the 19 Bills announced in the Queen’s Speech, go to the BBC News website.

 

Notes to Editors

The Children and Families Bill is expected to be introduced early in 2013 and carry over into the third session of this Parliament for Royal Assent.

Here follows more background detail on each element of the proposed legislation:

 

1. SEN: The biggest SEN reforms for 30 years were set out in the Support and Aspiration Green Paper, published and consulted in March 2011. The government is piloting the reforms in 20 pathfinders, covering 31 local authorities. It announced the details in September 2011 The interim evaluation will be published in autumn 2012 and final evaluation in 2013. The work of the pathfinders will continue to inform the changes we make to legislation through the Bill. Ministers intend to publish the formal response to the Green Paper consultation next week. The Bill’s SEN provisions will apply to England.

 

2.  Adoption: Ministers published the Action Plan for Adoption. The Bill’s adoption provisions would apply to England. The Government will discuss with the Welsh ministers whether it would be extended to Wales.

 

3. Family Law: The Government published its response to the independent Family Justice Review. The final report of the Family Justice Review was published in November 2011. The Bill’s Private and Public Family law provisions would apply to England and Wales.

 

4. Flexible Parental Leave and Flexible Leave: The Government published a consultation on Modern Workplayes in May 2011. The consultation on implementing the recommendations of Imelda Walsh’s 2008 Independent Review – Amending and extending the right to request flexible working to parents of older children, and previous government’s response. The Bill’s flexible parental leave provisions would apply to the whole of Great Britain. Flexible Working provisions would apply to England, Wales and Scotland – but is devolved to Northern Ireland.

 

5. Office of the Children’s Commissioner: Dr John Dunford published an independent review of Commissioner’s work in December 2010. The Children Act 2004 – established the current Office of the Children’s Commissioner. The Education and Inspections Act 2006 transferred the post of the Children’s Rights Director to Ofsted – the role was originally established under the Care Standards Act 2000. The Bill’s Office of the Children’s Commissioner reforms would apply primarily to England. The devolved administrations have their own Children’s Commissioners.

 

Associated resources

Permanent link to this article: https://operationfatherhood.org/children-and-families-bill-2012-2013/