Legislative Consent: Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill

The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill (the Bill) was introduced in the House of Commons on 17 December 2024.

The long title to the Bill notes that it is a Bill “to make provision about the safeguarding and welfare of children; about support for children in care or leaving care; about regulation of care workers; about regulation of establishments and agencies under Part 2 of the Care Standards Act 2000; about employment of children; about breakfast club provision and school uniform; about attendance of children at school; about regulation of independent educational institutions; about inspections of schools and colleges; about teacher misconduct; about Academies and teachers at Academies; repealing section 128 of the Education Act 2002; about school places and admissions; about establishing new schools; and for connected purposes.”

The Bill is subject to the legislative consent process under Standing Order 29. This is when the consent of the Welsh Parliament is sought by the UK Government to legislate on an issue which falls within the competence of the Senedd.

Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (Memorandum No. 4) – January 2026

On 16 January 2026 the Welsh Government laid a Supplementary LCM (PDF 272KB).

On 20 January 2026 the Business Committee agreed (PDF 75KB) a reporting deadline for the committees to report on the memoranda relating to the Bill of 3 February 2026.

The Children, Young People and Education Committee laid (PDF 138KB) its report on 3 February 2026.

On 3 February 2026, the Business Committee agreed a new reporting deadline for the committees to report on the memoranda relating to the Bill, of 2 March 2026 (PDF 55KB).

On 24 February 2026, the Business Committee agreed a new reporting deadline for the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee to report on the memoranda relating to the Bill, of 16 March 2026.

Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (Memorandum No. 3) – June 2025

On 12 June 2025 the Welsh Government laid a Supplementary LCM (PDF 76KB).

On 17 June 2025 the Business Committee agreed (PDF 60KB) a reporting deadline for the committees to report on the memoranda relating to the Bill of 19 September 2025.

The Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee laid its report on 19 September 2025 (PDF 334KB). The Welsh Government responded (PDF 67KB) to the report in October 2025.

Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (Memorandum No. 2) – May 2025

On 28 May 2025 the Welsh Government laid a Supplementary LCM (PDF 156KB).

On 3 June 2025 the Business Committee agreed (PDF 59KB) a reporting deadline for the committees to report on the memoranda relating to the Bill of 11 July 2025.

The Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee laid its report on 19 September 2025 (PDF 334KB). The Welsh Government responded (PDF 67KB) to the report in October 2025.

Legislative Consent Memorandum – March 2025

The Welsh Government laid a Legislative Consent Memorandum (LCM) on the Bill before the Senedd on 24 March 2025 (PDF 191KB).

The Business Committee referred the LCM to the Children, Young People and Education Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee with a reporting deadline of 16 May 2025 (PDF 38KB).

On 29 April 2025 (PDF 51KB), the Business Committee agreed to extend the reporting deadline until 11 July 2025.

The Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee laid its report on 19 September 2025 (PDF 334KB). The Welsh Government responded (PDF 67KB) to the report in October 2025.

The Children, Young People and Education Committee laid its report on 19 September 2025. (PDF 265KB)