What Home Educators Need to Know About the Children's Wellbeing Bill
The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill will change how home education works in England and Wales. Here's exactly what it means for your family, when it takes effect, and what you can do now.
Applies to
England & Wales
Expected start
2027 (estimated)
Bottom line
Registration becomes mandatory
At a Glance: What Home Educators Need to Know
- Registration becomes mandatory for all home educated children in England and Wales
- Local authorities can request home visits within 15 days of registration
- Refusing a visit can trigger a School Attendance Order
- Some families need LA permission if there was a Child Protection Plan in the past 5 years
- You don't need to do anything yet - the new system likely starts in 2027
The most important thing to know
This bill is not yet law. You don't need to do anything right now. The new system probably won't start until 2027. Until then, continue with your current arrangements and follow any existing requirements from your local authority.
Four Big Changes for Home Educating Families
The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill introduces several new requirements for home educators. Here's how they could affect your family.
Mandatory registration
Right now, telling your local authority you're home educating is voluntary in most areas. Under the new bill, it becomes mandatory.
- Every child being home educated must be on the official register
- You'll need to provide your child's details and keep them updated
- Changes (like new tutors or online providers) must be reported within 15 days
- This applies to children already being home educated, not just new families
Local authority home visits
The bill gives local authorities new powers to request home visits - and refusing could have consequences.
- LAs must "consider where the child lives" within 15 days of registration
- They can request a home visit during this period
- If you refuse a visit, the LA can start the School Attendance Order process
- The visit is meant to assess if the environment is "conducive to suitable education"
Permission for some families
If your family has had involvement with children's services, you may need the local authority's permission before you can home educate.
- Applies if your child has a current Child Protection Plan
- Also applies if they've had a plan at any time in the past 5 years
- The LA decides if home education is in your child's "best interests"
- If they say no, they can require your child to attend school
School Attendance Orders made easier
The bill makes it simpler for local authorities to require a child to return to school if they're not satisfied with home education.
- Refusing a home visit is now grounds for starting the SAO process
- The SAO process itself is being streamlined to make it faster
- If an SAO is issued and not complied with, parents can face prosecution
What Happens Next
Key dates to watch. Mark your calendar for the public consultation - that's your chance to have your say.
Final Stages in Parliament
The bill is in "ping-pong" between Commons and Lords. Final wording should be agreed by early May.
Expected Royal Assent
The bill becomes an Act of Parliament once the King gives formal approval. Expected first week of May.
Draft Guidance Consultation
The Department for Education will publish draft guidance for how the new system will work. There will be a public consultation period.
New System Goes Live
Home education measures likely to come into force. It could take up to a year after Royal Assent to sort out regulations.
Why the consultation matters
After Royal Assent, the government will publish draft guidance explaining exactly how the new system will work - what information you'll need to provide, what home visits will involve, and how local authorities should make decisions. There will be a public consultation period where home educating families can respond. This is your opportunity to influence the details before they're finalised.
How the Children's Wellbeing Bill Has Changed
The bill has evolved significantly since it was first introduced. Here are the key changes affecting home educators.
Major changes for home educators
- •LAs must "consider where the child lives" within 15 days of registration
- •Home visits can be requested much earlier in the process
- •Refusing a visit is now grounds for starting School Attendance Order process
- •Child Protection Plan lookback extended from current plans to any time in past 5 years
Wales added to the bill
- •Bill originally applied to England only
- •Amendments extended CNIS measures to Wales
- •Wales will have different implementation timescales
Bill first introduced
- •Original proposal for mandatory registration of children not in school
- •Permission required for children on Child Protection Plans
- •Free breakfast clubs and uniform cost measures also included
Can I see the current ping-pong amendments?
Yes - amendments during ping-pong are publicly available. The UK Parliament website publishes each new version of the bill as it goes back and forth between the Commons and Lords. You can also read the full debates on Hansard.
Questions Home Educators Are Asking
Straight answers to the most common questions about the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
Do I need to do anything right now about the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill?
No. The bill is not yet law. Continue with your current arrangements and follow any existing requirements from your local authority. Nothing changes until the bill passes and the new system is implemented, which is likely in 2027.
Will the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill force me to let someone into my home?
The bill allows local authorities to request a home visit, but you can refuse. However, refusing a visit is now a reason the LA can use to start the School Attendance Order process. The visit is supposed to assess whether your home environment is "conducive to suitable education" - but exactly what this means will be set out in guidance that hasn't been published yet.
What information will home educators have to provide under the new bill?
You'll need to give your child's basic details and information about anyone involved in their education (tutors, clubs, online providers). You'll also need to report changes within 15 days. The exact details of what's required will be in regulations and guidance published later.
I've had a social worker involved in the past. Will the Children's Wellbeing Bill affect me?
It depends. If your child has had a Child Protection Plan at any time in the past 5 years, you'll need the local authority's permission to home educate. If they decide it's not in your child's "best interests," they can require school attendance. This applies even if you're already home educating.
Can the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill still change?
Yes, though it's unlikely to change dramatically at this late stage. The bill is currently in "ping-pong" where the Commons and Lords agree final wording. Royal Assent is expected in May 2026.
When will home educators have to register under the new bill?
Probably not until 2027. After Royal Assent, the government needs to publish regulations and guidance, and there will be a public consultation. It could take up to a year for the home education measures to come into force.
What can home educators do to prepare for the Children's Wellbeing Bill?
Keep records of your child's education - notes, examples of work, photos of activities. This isn't required by current law but will help if your local authority asks questions under the new system. Also keep an eye out for the public consultation on draft guidance, where you'll have a chance to have your say.
Can I see the amendments being made during ping pong?
Yes. All amendments during the ping-pong stage are published on the UK Parliament website. You can view the latest version of the bill with amendments at bills.parliament.uk. The current version (as of late March 2026) is Bill 414, which shows Lords disagreements, amendments in lieu, and reasons. Hansard also publishes the full debates where MPs and Lords discuss each amendment. Ed Yourself and Parallel Parliament also track amendments for easier reading.
What Home Educators Can Do Now
While you wait for the new system to start, here are some practical steps to prepare.
Keep Records
Start keeping notes about your child's education now. It's not required by current law, but it will help if your local authority asks questions later.
- •Photos of activities and projects
- •Lists of books read or resources used
- •Brief notes on progress in each subject
- •Examples of written work or creative projects
Watch for the Consultation
The draft guidance consultation is your chance to influence how the new system works. Home educating organisations will likely coordinate responses.
- •Follow Education Otherwise and Ed Yourself
- •Join home education forums and groups
- •Respond to the consultation when it opens
- •Share your views with your MP
Know Your Current Rights
Until the new law comes in, the current rules still apply. Make sure you understand your existing rights and responsibilities.
- •Section 7 of the Education Act 1996
- •Current Elective Home Education guidance
- •Your local authority's current process
Connect with Others
You're not alone in this. Thousands of families are in the same position. Connecting with others helps you stay informed and supported.
- •Join local home education groups
- •Follow national organisations
- •Attend meetups and events
- •Share information with other families
Where This Information Comes From
We've used official sources and reputable organisations that support home educators.
Important disclaimer
This page provides general information only and is not legal advice. The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill is still going through Parliament and could change. Always check current official guidance and seek professional advice for your specific circumstances. We've done our best to be accurate, but you should verify important details against official sources.