The Children and Families Bill takes forward government proposals to change legislation relating to adoption and children in care; improve the efficiency of the family justice system; and reform statutory rights to leave and pay for parents and adopters, time-off for ante-natal care and the right to request flexible working.
In summary, the main provisions of the Children and Families Bill will:
- remove barriers to adoption by, among other provisions, repealing duties to consider a child's religious persuasion, racial origin and cultural background;
- reform the operation of the family justice system by taking forward the recommendations of the independent Family Justice Review;
- make new provision for the support of children with special educational needs;
- grant the Secretary of State the power to introduce a new system of shared parental leave and pay;
- create a new right for an employee to take paid time off work to accompany a pregnant woman to an ante-natal appointment; and
- make changes to the process by which employees can apply for flexible working.