Recent Law Changes Affecting Our Children
What’s Actually Changed for Children in UK Law Recently? (And Why It Matters)
If you work with children, parent them, teach them, or simply care about their wellbeing, you might have noticed that a lot seems to be shifting lately. And you’d be right. Over the last six months, there’s been a steady wave of legal and policy changes that quietly but significantly affect children’s lives in the UK.
Some of these changes are already in force, others are moving through Parliament, and a few are flying under the radar.
1. Family courts are moving away from “parents’ rights first”
One of the biggest shifts happening right now is in family law.
For years, courts operated under a presumption ofparental involvement essentially starting from the idea that ongoing contact with both parents was usually in a child’s best interests. While this was well-intentioned, it caused real problems in cases involving domestic abuse or coercive control.
That presumption is now being removed.
What does that mean in practice?
Judges will no longer begin from the assumption that parental contact is inherently beneficial. Instead, they can focus squarely on the child’s safety, emotional wellbeing, and lived experience without needing to “justify” limiting contact.
2. Automatic limits on parental responsibility in serious abuse cases
Another important change comes through updates to the Victims and Courts Bill.
In certain serious situations such as when a child is conceived through rape, or where a parent has been convicted of serious sexual offences parental responsibility can now be automatically restricted.
3. A major Children’s Bill is quietly reshaping education and welfare
You may not have heard much about it yet, but the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill is one of the most wide-ranging pieces of children’s legislation in years.
It covers a lot of ground, including:
stronger oversight of children not in school
improved safeguarding responsibilities for local authorities
more recognition and support for kinship carers
increased accountability across academies
expanded wellbeing and early-help measures
Not all of this is law yet, but the direction is clear: early intervention, visibility, and responsibility are becoming central themes.
4. Internet Safety
The Online Safety Act is now starting to bite.
Platforms are legally required to:
carry out risk assessments focused on children
implement real age-verification measures
reduce exposure to harmful content (not just illegal content)
respond more quickly to safeguarding risks
For the first time, tech companies can be fined or restricted for failing to protect children online.
5. Safeguarding In Schools
Safeguarding guidance for schools, Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), was updated again recently, and while it’s not a new law, it is statutory.
The updates reflect the realities children are now navigating:
online misinformation and extremist content
AI-generated images and abuse
blurred boundaries between online and offline harm
6. Housing law now explicitly protects children’s health
Awaab’s Law came into force following the death of a child due to prolonged exposure to damp and mould.
Social landlords are now legally required to:
investigate serious hazards quickly
fix them within strict timeframes
provide alternative accommodation where needed
While this law applies to housing providers, its heart is firmly child-centred. It recognises that environmental neglect is a safeguarding issue, not just a maintenance problem.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on these changes whether you think they’re positive steps, or if there are other laws you’d like to see introduced. Staying up to date with legislation affecting children is so important, as it helps us remain informed, engaged, and vigilant in safeguarding their wellbeing.
Thanks for reading! If you have any questions or topics you would like us to discuss in future blogs please do send an email to nannyemmyquestions@gmail.com
