The Children’s Commissioner for England has published a new report looking at the children’s social care system and presenting a vision for how it could change. The report focuses on: standards across children’s social care services in England; protections for children living with their families; support for children in care and care leavers; and youth custody. Recommendations for reform include a refresh of child welfare legislation to include more focus on supporting children who have disabilities and children who face harm outside of the home, and the removal of the defence of ‘reasonable punishment’ by parents and carers who physically punish their child. The Commissioner also highlights the need for effective family support, including the removal of the two-child benefit limit to help reduce child poverty and the introduction of Family Hubs in every local area.
Read the report: The children’s plan: vision for care
Source: Children’s Commissioner for England
Date published: 20 October 2025
