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The Children and Families Act 2014 - Coggle Diagram
The Children and Families Act 2014
The role of the children's commissioner
the act has given the commissioner strong powers
the commissioner has to focus on the rights of all children, including those in care or living away from home
role is increased from representing the ‘views and interests’ of children to ‘promoting and protecting’ the rights of children
Parents who have a new child
parental leave – mothers, fathers and adopters can opt to share parental leave so each take time off work when they have a new baby
fathers or mother’s partner can take unpaid leave to attend up to two antenatal appointments
allows both parents to have time off work to go to clinic appointments before the baby is born
allows people who are going to adopt a child to have time off work to see the child and attend meetings about the adoption
Family courts and justice
introduced a 26 week deadline for the family court to rule on care proceedings
in cases where parents are splitting up, courts should help parents to do what is right for their child, not what parents might want
courts are to take the view that after separation both parents should be involved in their children’s lives, if it is safe and their best interests
introduced a single order called a ‘child arrangements order’ to replace contact and residence orders
SEND (children with special educational needs and disabilities)
introduced education and health care plans (EHCP)
children’s needs are assessed in a holistic way with EHC plans
give rights to a personal budget for children with an EHCP
when writing an EHCP, families have to be involved in discussions and decisions about children’s care and education
young people and parents must be informed by the local authority of support they are entitled to so they are aware of the choices that are available
schools to be provided with more support for children with medical conditions in order to meet their needs and this extends the choice for children to attend mainstream schools if they choose to
the act aims to get education, health care and social care services working together