Children, Schools and Families Act 2010
2010 c. 26
An Act to make provision about children with disabilities or special educational needs, school and other education, and governing bodies' powers; to make provision amending the Education Acts; to make provision about Local Safeguarding Children Boards; and to make provision about publication of information relating to family proceedings.
[8th April 2010]

Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Part 1 Children and schools

Children with special educational needs etc

1 School inspections: pupils with disabilities or special educational needs
In section 5 of EA 2005 (duty to inspect certain schools in England at prescribed intervals), after subsection (5) there is inserted—

“(5A) In reporting on how far the education provided in a mainstream school meets the needs of the range of pupils at the school, the Chief Inspector must in particular consider the needs of—
(a) pupils who have a disability for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010;
(b) pupils who have special educational needs.
In this subsection a “mainstream school” is a school within subsection (2)(a) or (2)(c) to (f).”

S. 1 in force at 1.9.2010 by S.I. 2010/1817, art. 3

2 Right of appeal against determination by local authority not to amend statement
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S. 2 repealed (1.9.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 3 para. 19(2); S.I. 2014/889, art. 7(a) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/2270 (as amended (1.4.2015) by S.I. 2015/505))

Exceptional provision for ill or excluded children etc

3 Exceptional provision of education in short stay schools or elsewhere
(1) Section 19 of EA 1996 (exceptional provision of education in short stay schools or elsewhere) is amended as follows.
(2) After subsection (1) there is inserted—

“(1A) In relation to England, subsection (1) does not apply in the case of a child—
(a) who will cease to be of compulsory school age within the next six weeks, and
(b) does not have any relevant examinations to complete.
In paragraph (b) “relevant examinations” means any public examinations or other assessments for which the child has been entered.”

(3) For subsection (3A) there is substituted—

“(3A) In relation to England, the education to be provided for a child in pursuance of arrangements made by a local authority under subsection (1) shall be—
(a) full-time education, or
(b) in the case of a child within subsection (3AA), education on such part-time basis as the authority consider to be in the child's best interests.
(3AA) A child is within this subsection if the local authority consider that, for reasons which relate to the physical or mental health of the child, it would not be in the child's best interests for full-time education to be provided for the child.”

(4) In subsection (3B)—
(a) for “The education referred to in subsection (3A)” there is substituted “ Regulations may provide that the education to be provided for a child in pursuance of arrangements made by a local authority in England under subsection (1) ”;
(b) for “regulations” there is substituted “ the regulations ”.
S. 3 in force at 1.9.2011 by S.I. 2011/1100, art. 2

Powers of governing bodies

4 Power to provide community facilities etc
(1) In section 27 of EA 2002 (power of governing body to provide community facilities etc), after subsection (1) there is inserted—

“(1A) At least once in every school year the governing body of a maintained school in England shall consider whether, and if so how, they should exercise the power under subsection (1).”

(2) In section 50 of SSFA 1998 (effect of financial delegation), after subsection (3) there is inserted—

“(3A) In the case of a school in England—
(a) subject to regulations under paragraph (b) below, subsection (3)(a) has effect as if amounts spent on providing facilities or services under section 27 of the Education Act 2002 (power of governing body to provide community facilities etc) were spent for purposes of the school;
(b) regulations may impose restrictions as to the matters on which amounts may be spent under subsection (3)(a).”

S. 4(2)(3)(4) in force at 1.4.2011 by S.I. 2010/1817, art. 4
(3) In subsection (4) of that section, for “In subsection (3) “purposes of the school”” there is substituted “ In the case of a school in Wales, “purposes of the school” in subsection (3) ”.
(4) In section 51A of SSFA 1998 (expenditure incurred for community purposes), in subsections (1) and (2), after “a maintained school” there is inserted “ in Wales ”.

5 Power to form company to establish Academy, etc
(1) The governing body of a maintained school in England may—
(a) form, or participate in forming, a company to enter into Academy arrangements , and
Words in s. 5(1)(a) substituted (29.7.2010) by Academies Act 2010 (c. 32), s. 19(2), Sch. 2 para. 26(2)(a); S.I. 2010/1937, art. 2, Sch. 1
(b) do anything which appears to them to be necessary or expedient in connection with a proposal that Academy arrangements be entered into with a company formed (or proposed to be formed) by them under paragraph (a).
Words in s. 5(1)(b) substituted (29.7.2010) by Academies Act 2010 (c. 32), s. 19(2), Sch. 2 para. 26(2)(b); S.I. 2010/1937, art. 2, Sch. 1
References in this subsection to a company are to a company registered under the Companies Act 2006 as a company limited by guarantee.
(2) The governing body of a maintained school in England—
(a) may be a member of a company which they have formed, or participated in forming, under subsection (1)(a), and
(b) may be a member of a company which is not within paragraph (a) but which is party to Academy arrangements .
Words in s. 5(2)(b) substituted (29.7.2010) by Academies Act 2010 (c. 32), s. 19(2), Sch. 2 para. 26(3); S.I. 2010/1937, art. 2, Sch. 1
(3) The power conferred by subsection (1)(b) includes, in particular, power—
(a) to incur expenditure;
(b) to enter into arrangements or agreements with any person.
(4) This section is not to be read as limiting any powers that the governing body of a maintained school have otherwise than by virtue of this section.
(5) In this section “maintained school” means a community, foundation or voluntary school or a community or foundation special school.
S. 5 in force at 19.7.2010 by S.I. 2010/1817, art. 2

6 Powers to assist etc proprietor of Academy and be a member of a foundation
(1) Paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 to EA 2002 (powers of governing body) is amended as follows.
(2) After sub-paragraph (2) there is inserted—

“(2A) The governing body of a maintained school in England (other than the governing body of a maintained nursery school) may provide advice and assistance to the proprietor of an Academy.
(2B) The governing body of a maintained school in England may be a member of the foundation of another maintained school in England.
In this sub-paragraph “foundation” has the meaning given by section 21(3) of the 1998 Act, except that it does not include a foundation established under that Act.”

(3) In sub-paragraph (3)—
(a) in the words before paragraph (a), for “and (2)” there is substituted “ , (2) and (2A) ”;
(b) in paragraph (f), after “sub-paragraph (2)” there is inserted “ or (2A) ”.
S. 6 in force at 19.7.2010 by S.I. 2010/1817, art. 2

7 Power to propose new schools
After section 11 of EIA 2006 there is inserted—

“11A Restriction on power of governing body to make proposals
(1) The governing body of a maintained school may make proposals pursuant to a notice under section 7 or publish proposals under section 11(2) only if the governing body are for the time being designated for the purposes of this section—
(a) by the Secretary of State, or
(b) by a person authorised by the Secretary of State to designate governing bodies for those purposes.
(2) The governing body of a maintained nursery school may not be designated for the purposes of this section.”

Local Safeguarding Children Boards

8 Supply of information requested by LSCBs in England
After section 14A of CA 2004 (LSCBs in England: annual reports) there is inserted—

“14B Supply of information requested by LSCBs
(1) If a Local Safeguarding Children Board established under section 13 requests a person or body to supply information specified in the request to—
(a) the Board, or
(b) another person or body specified in the request,
the request must be complied with if the first and second conditions are met and either the third or the fourth condition is met.
(2) The first condition is that the request is made for the purpose of enabling or assisting the Board to perform its functions.
(3) The second condition is that the request is made to a person or body whose functions or activities are considered by the Board to be such that the person or body is likely to have information relevant to the exercise of a function by the Board.
(4) The third condition is that the information relates to—
(a) the person or body to whom the request is made,
(b) a function or activity of that person or body, or
(c) a person in respect of whom a function is exercisable, or an activity is engaged in, by that person or body.
(5) The fourth condition is that the information—
(a) is information requested by the Board from a person or body to whom information was supplied in compliance with another request under this section, and
(b) is the same as, or is derived from, information so supplied.
(6) The information may be used by the Board, or other person or body to whom it is supplied under subsection (1), only for the purpose of enabling or assisting the Board to perform its functions.
(7) A Local Safeguarding Children Board must have regard to any guidance given to it by the Secretary of State in connection with the exercise of its functions under this section.”

S. 8 in force at 15.4.2013 by S.I. 2013/668, art. 2

9 Supply of information requested by LSCBs in Wales
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S. 9 omitted (6.4.2016) by virtue of The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2016 (No. 413), regs. 2(1), 274

10 Review by Chief Inspector of performance of LSCBs in England
After section 15 of CA 2004 (funding of LSCBs in England) there is inserted—

“15A Review of LSCBs' performance of functions
(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for the Chief Inspector to conduct a review of the performance of specified functions by a Local Safeguarding Children Board established under section 13.
(2) The regulations may allow or require the Chief Inspector to conduct a review, or may require the Chief Inspector to do so in specified circumstances.
(3) They may in particular make provision—
(a) about reports to be made on completion of a review;
(b) requiring or facilitating the sharing or production of information for the purposes of a review.
(4) In this section—
“the Chief Inspector” means Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills;
“specified” means specified in regulations under this section.”

S. 10 in force at 3.7.2013 by S.I. 2013/1573, art. 2

Part 2 Family proceedings

11 Restriction on publication of information relating to family proceedings
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12 Authorised publication of court orders and judgments
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13 Authorised news publications
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14 Permitting publication for purposes of section 13: general
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15 Permitting publication for purposes of section 13: adoption Et ceteralaetc
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16 Prohibiting or restricting publication for purposes of section 13
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17 Defences to contempt of court
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18 Appeals against decisions under section 12 or 13
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19 Power to alter treatment of sensitive personal information
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20 Independent review
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21 Interpretation of Part 2, Et ceteralaetc
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Pt. 2 repealed (4.9.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), ss. 17(4), 61(3); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 2(a)

Part 3 Miscellaneous and final provisions

Miscellaneous

22 Amendments of provisions about complaints in ASCLA 2009
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S. 22 repealed (1.8.2012) by Education Act 2011 (c. 21), ss. 45(2)(h), 82(3); S.I. 2012/1087, art. 2 (with art. 6)

23 Fees for pre-registration inspections of independent educational institutions
In section 111 of ESA 2008 (fees for inspections of independent educational institutions by Chief Inspector), in subsection (6) (institutions to which the section applies), for “any registered independent educational institution that is not” there is substituted “ any independent educational institution that is registered, or is the subject of an application to be registered, other than ”.

Final provisions

24 Interpretation of Act
(1) In this Act—
“EA 1996” means the Education Act 1996;
“SSFA 1998” means the School Standards and Framework Act 1998;
“EA 2002” means the Education Act 2002;
“CA 2004” means the Children Act 2004;
“EA 2005” means the Education Act 2005;
“EIA 2006” means the Education and Inspections Act 2006;
“ESA 2008” means the Education and Skills Act 2008;
“ASCLA 2009” means the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009.
(2) EA 1996 and section 5 of this Act are to be read as if that section were contained in that Act.

25 Amendments and repeals
Schedules 3 (minor and consequential amendments) and 4 (repeals) have effect.
S. 25 in force at 19.7.2010 for specified purposes by S.I. 2010/1817, art. 2

26 Financial provisions
(1) There is to be paid out of money provided by Parliament—
(a) any expenditure under this Act of a Minister of the Crown;
(b) any increase attributable to this Act in the sums payable out of money so provided under any other enactment.
(2) There is to be paid into the Consolidated Fund any increase attributable to this Act in the sums payable into that Fund under any other enactment.

27 Transitional provision
(1) Until a section 162(1)(a) order comes into force, a reference to a local authority in any provision of this Act (including any provision inserted by this Act in another Act) is to be read as a reference to a local education authority.
(2) In subsection (1) “section 162(1)(a) order” means an order under subsection (1) of section 162 of EIA 2006 containing provision made by virtue of paragraph (a) of that subsection (power to replace statutory references to local education authorities with references to local authorities).

28 Extent
(1) This Act does not extend to Scotland or (subject to subsection (2)) to Northern Ireland.
(2) An amendment or repeal by this Act of a provision that extends to Northern Ireland has the same extent as the provision amended or repealed.

29 Commencement
(1) Sections 24 and 26 to 30 come into force on the day on which this Act is passed.
(2) Section 23 comes into force at the end of the period of 2 months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed.
(3) Section 9 comes into force on whatever day the Welsh Ministers appoint by order made by statutory instrument.
(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
S. 29(4) repealed (4.9.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), ss. 17(4), 61(3); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 2(a)
(5) The other provisions of this Act come into force on whatever day or days the Secretary of State appoints by order made by statutory instrument.
(6) An order under subsection (3)... or (5)—
(a) may make different provision for different purposes or different areas;
(b) may make incidental, consequential, supplemental, transitional or transitory provision or savings.
Words in s. 29(6) repealed (4.9.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), ss. 17(4), 61(3); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 2(a)

30 Short title etc
(1) This Act may be cited as the Children, Schools and Families Act 2010.
(2) This Act is to be included in the list of Education Acts set out in section 578 of EA 1996.

SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 1 Amendments of Part 2 relating to sensitive personal information
Section 19
1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sch. 1 repealed (4.9.2013) by virtue of Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), ss. 17(4), 61(3); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 2(a)

SCHEDULE 2 Sensitive personal information
Section 21
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2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sch. 2 repealed (4.9.2013) by virtue of Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), ss. 17(4), 61(3); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 2(a)

SCHEDULE 3 Minor and consequential amendments
Section 25

Part 1 Children and schools

Education Act 1996 (c. 56)
1 In section 19 (exceptional provision of education in short stay schools or elsewhere), in subsections (2)(a) and (2B)(a), for “such children” there is substituted “ children falling within subsection (1) ”.
2 (1) Section 580 (index) is amended as follows.
(2) In the entry for “sex education”, for “section 352(3)” there is substituted “ section 579(1) ”.
Sch. 3 para. 2 in force at 19.7.2010 by S.I. 2010/1817, art. 2

Part 2 Family proceedings

Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (c. 12)
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Administration of Justice Act 1960 (c. 65)
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5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43)
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8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984 (c. 42)
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Children Act 1989 (c. 41)
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11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Adoption and Children Act 2002 (c. 38)
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13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Courts Act 2003 (c. 39)
14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sch. 3 Pt. 2 repealed (4.9.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), ss. 17(4), 61(3); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 2(a)

SCHEDULE 4 Repeals
Section 25

Part 1 Children and schools
Short title and chapter	Extent of repeal
Education Act 1996 (c. 56)	In section 19(6)— (a) the definition of “relevant school”; (b) in the definition of “suitable education”, the words “(and “suitable full-time education” is to be read accordingly)”.

Part 2 Family proceedings
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Sch. 4 Pt. 2 repealed (4.9.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), ss. 17(4), 61(3); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 2(a)