Critics accuse the DFE of ‘Sinking to New Low’ over revised consultation results

A document published by the government last week detailed the results of a consultation over plans to extend controversial ammendments to children’s social care legislation until 2021.

The controversial measures, which were introduced in April at the height of the coronavirus pandemic and are due to expire on 25 September, had already come under fire over a lack of public consultation. The document confirmed the consultation had received 189 responses and said several amendments, introduced via the Adoption and Children (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020, also known as Statutory Instrument 445, would remain in place. However, DfE later published a revised document which it said had been “updated to reflect all responses” after critics feared those submitted via email rather than through an online questionnaire had been “ignored”. Read more.