The plan to register out-of-school children was implemented

A register to identify children not attending school in England will be part of a bill introduced in Parliament on Tuesday.

The Department for Education says knowledge of where children are will enable councils to ensure high quality education is being provided and the support needed.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said it would be “a watershed moment for child protection”.

The register, part of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, is expected to come into force in 2025.

The Labor government says the bill will also ensure that teachers and schools are always involved in decisions relating to the safeguarding of children in their area, and that if a child’s home environment is deemed inappropriate or unsafe, local authorities will have access to intervene. Has the power to do.

Children will be given a unique identifier number across all services, similar to an adult’s National Insurance number.

“In recent years, too many children have been failed by their last line of defense: the state,” Phillipson said.

“No more words, no lessons learned. This government will put children first at every turn.”

Sara SarifThe 10-year-old was pulled out of school by her father and stepmother to be home-schooled four months before she died.

Under the government plans, parents will no longer have the automatic right to educate their children at home if their child is in a child protection scheme and will have to get permission from their local council.

The previous Conservative government also proposed a register of out-of-school children.

Number of children receiving home education in England has increased by 20% This year according to the latest government data.

The Education Policy Institute warned that up to 300,000 children could be missing out on education altogether.

Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza says, “I have called on all governments to introduce a unique identification number for children and a register of all children who are not in school.”

“Writing these two landmark measures into law will be vital for any child currently at risk of harm in this country – this must now be supported by proper data-sharing between organizations so that no child is invisible in the system Could.”

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders union NAHT, also welcomed the bill, saying he had “long called for a register of pupils who are not in school” and “it is very positive to see this important safeguard. ” Finally being taken after years of delay”.

The Government says protecting children at risk of abuse and preventing vulnerable children falling through the cracks is at the heart of the bill.

First unveiled in the King’s Speech, the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill is comprehensive, including legislation to limit free breakfast clubs and branded uniform items in all primary schools.