Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
4th Report - Children’s social care
Education Committee
HC 430
Published 10 July 2025
Conclusions (5)
56
Conclusion
Deferred
It is deeply concerning to hear that parents of disabled children are being treated with suspicion and undergoing inappropriate assessment processes when reaching out for help. The Department for Education must address this as an urgent priority and ensure that it fully implements the Law Commission’s proposals relating to assessment …
Government Response Summary
The government deferred action, stating it would follow its protocol for responding to the Law Commission's upcoming report within six months for an interim response and one year for a full response, outlining which recommendations it accepts or rejects.
57
Conclusion
Deferred
The Department for Education must set out how it will implement the proposals in the Law Commission’s review of disabled children’s social care no later than two months following the publication of the review, which is expected shortly. This should include a clear timeframe and assessment of any spending required …
Government Response Summary
The government will follow its protocol with the Law Commission, providing an interim response within six months and a full response within one year of the review's publication, outlining accepted/rejected recommendations and implementation timescales if applicable.
58
Conclusion
Deferred
The Department should introduce national eligibility criteria for disabled children’s social care and ensure that local authorities are clearly communicating these to families. (Recommendation, Paragraph 144)
Government Response Summary
The government deferred the introduction of national eligibility criteria, stating it is awaiting recommendations from the Law Commission and will assess reforms and set out plans in due course after their submission.
74
Conclusion
Deferred
We welcome the new Youth Guarantee and the focus on supporting young people to access employment, education and training. However, we are deeply concerned about the proposal to reduce support through Universal Credit for those aged under 22. This is likely to have a disproportionate impact on care leavers, who …
Government Response Summary
The government is consulting on proposals in the Pathways to Work White Paper, including raising the age for the Universal Credit Health Element to 22. It states no decisions have been made yet and feedback will be considered before implementing any changes.
77
Conclusion
Deferred
The Department for Work and Pensions must exempt care leavers from its proposed plans to reduce Universal Credit support for those aged under 22, if these reforms go ahead, and ensure that care leavers are prioritised for access to support through the Youth Guarantee. (Recommendation, Paragraph 196)
Government Response Summary
The government is consulting on proposals in the Pathways to Work White Paper, including raising the age for the Universal Credit Health Element to 22. It states no decisions have been made yet and feedback will be considered before implementing any changes, therefore deferring a decision on exempting care leavers.