The Children and Families Act 2014 Flashcards
LO3
What is the Children and Families Act 2014 (TCFA)?
It is a piece of legislation which sets out to give greater protection to vulnerable children.
The act made changes for adoption,
looked-after children, family justice and special educational needs.
It provides:
1. Better support to children whose parents are separating.
2. Help for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
3. Help for parents to balance work and family life.
What are the key aspects of TCFA 2014?
Reformed the role of the children’s commissioner.
Sets out rights for parents who have or are about to have a new child.
Family courts and justice.
Provision for SEND children.
What is the Reformed Role of Children’s Commissioner?
The act gives them stronger powers.
They have to focus on the rights of all children.
Increased role to ‘promoting and protecting the rights of children’.
What are the Rights for New Parents?
Mothers, fathers and adopters can opt to share parental leave to take time off work.
Partners can take unpaid leave to attend up to 2 antenatal appointments.
Both parents can have time off for clinic appointments before the baby is born.
Allows adopters to have time off to see the child and attend meetings about adoption.
What happens at Family Courts and Justice?
Introduced the 26-week deadline for the family court to rule on care proceedings.
When parents split up, the courts should help parents do what is right for their child.
Courts take the view that both parents should be involved in the children’s lives, if it is safe and in the child’s best interests.
Introduced a single order called a ‘child arrangements order’ to replace a contact and residence orders.
What is the Provision for SEND Children?
Introduced Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
Schools should be provided with more support to help SEND children.
THIS EXTENDS THE CHOICE FOR CHILDREN TO ATTEND MAINSTREAM SCHOOL IF THEY CHOOSE TO.
It aims to get education, health care and social care services working together to support SEND children.
Families and young people with SEND should be made aware of the support that is available for them by the local authority.
