The Government has decided that some reforms recommended by the Independent Care Review for children & young people require legislation. A Bill was introduced on 17 June 2025 which makes changes to the care system for children.
The Education, Children & Young People Committee will begin scrutiny of the Bill in September. It has issued a Call for Views with a deadline of 15 August to which UNISON will be responding. This briefing gives an overview of the Bill contents, which includes:
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- measures to tackle profit from the care of looked after children.
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- proposals to widen eligibility for after care which have implications for social work services.
- giving IJBs a statutory role in Children’s Services Planning with potential to weaken democratic control over local services.
UNISON’s Social Work Issues Group will discuss the Bill measures and UNISON will be responding to the consultation.
Action for branches
- Please circulate this briefing to your social work members and stewards. Please discuss the contents and send feedback direct to Susan Galloway: s.galloway@unison.co.uk by 8 August at the latest.
- Please liaise with your council leader & elected members regarding the concerns about the additional statutory responsibilities being given to IJBs.