Children and Social Work Act 2017
| Act of Parliament | |
| Long title | An Act to make provision about looked after children; to make other provision in relation to the welfare of children; and to make provision about the regulation of social workers. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 2017 c. 16 |
| Introduced by | Justine Greening MP, Secretary of State for Education (Commons) Lord Nash (Lords) |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 27 April 2017 |
| History of passage through Parliament | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Revised text of statute as amended | |
The Children and Social Work Act 2017 (c. 16) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.
The act was passed by the Conservative Government in 2017, having been launched in 2016 in the House of Lords by Parliamentary Undersecretary of State for the School System Lord Nash, and guided through the House of Commons by Edward Timpson MP, who was then Minister for Children and Families. The bill was published with no prior public consultation.[1]
Provisions
Provisions of the act included the creation of Social Work England as the regulator for social workers.[2] This non-departmental public body took up its role in December 2019.[3]
The act allows for local authorities to set aside children's rights and checks on care, so that they can try out innovative ways of working.[4]
Reception
The legislation was opposed by several organisations including British Association of Social Workers, the Care Leavers' Association, Women's Aid, Liberty and the National Association of People Abused in Childhood.[5]
References
- ^ Children England, Children and Social Work Act 2017, published 17 January 2018, accessed 9 May 2019
- ^ "Adoption law reform aims to speed up placements". BBC News. 18 May 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ "The regulation of social workers in England has transferred to Social Work England". Health & Care Professions Council. 4 July 2019. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
- ^ "'Bonfire of children's rights' Bill opposed". BBC News. 10 January 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ "Government adviser walks away from child protection plans". BBC News. 11 February 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
External links
- Children and Social Work Act 2017 (as revised) at legislation.gov.uk