The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill is now the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 HERE https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2026/21/contents/enacted
Provisions affecting home educated children can be found under the heading Children Not In School in Part 2 of the Act. Sections 37-42 apply to England AND Wales.
Not Yet In Force
The law has not changed yet because the CNIS sections have not yet been commenced. Section 78 of the Act [LINK] headed “Commencement” indicates that the passing of the Act enabled regulations to be made. Sections 37-42 in Part 2 of the Act will only become law later, once the regulations and statutory guidance are in place.
DfE Letters
The Department for Education has written to local authorities in England [PDF LINK] and has also written a letter for parents [PDF LINK] where it explains NEXT STEPS before the new law can be introduced. Local authorities are reminded that until the new law is in place, existing legislation and current guidance still apply. I have reproduced the 2 page LA letter below as a single page image.
