AQW 42659/22-27


Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry


Tabled Date: 18/03/2026
Answered On Date: 27/03/2026
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) his Department’s engagement with health and justice colleagues in Northern Ireland, and with counterparts in England, regarding the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill; and (ii) whether any provisions may inform policy in Northern Ireland.


Answer:
I am aware of the Children’s Wellbeing & Schools Bill currently progressing through the Parliamentary stages at Westminster. The Bill applies to England only and brings forward a broad package of provisions relating to children’s social care and the school system. While elements of the Bill may provide useful context for future policy development, and officials are engaging with colleagues from across health and justice in terms of relevant areas of commonality, it is important to recognise the distinct legislative framework and differing social care and education structures in place in Northern Ireland.
The Bill is relevant to safeguarding and wellbeing in education policy responsibilities, this includes work in respect of increasing online safety intervention, strengthening early identification, information sharing and multi-agency working. This aligns with our focus on preventative, whole-system approaches where schools play a key role in identifying risk and promoting wellbeing.
As part of our ongoing refresh of safeguarding guidance and the wellbeing framework, we will consider relevant elements of the Bill to support greater clarity, consistency and effective practice across schools, ensuring safe and supportive environments for all children and young people.
On Children Missing Education (CME), officials are currently reviewing potential legislative gaps and are working to develop comprehensive Departmental guidance on the issue. Engagement has taken place with counterparts in England on CME policy and relevant provisions within the Children’s Wellbeing & Schools Bill. Addressing CME effectively requires a coordinated, multi-agency approach. To that end, my officials continue to engage closely with colleagues in the Department of Health and the Education Authority (EA) to explore opportunities for improved information sharing and collaborative action in this policy area. Work is underway to examine the processes and policies in place across other jurisdictions, with a view to identifying best practice and informing local approaches.
My officials have engaged with their counterparts in England about the school uniforms provisions in the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill. The School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Act (Northern Ireland) 2026 came into operation on 20 February 2026. Engagement with England continues to ensure that there is two-way sharing of information as we implement our legislation and as their Bill works through the Parliamentary process.