Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
4th Report - Children’s social care
Education Committee
HC 430
Published 10 July 2025
Government response
5th Special Report - Children’s social care: Government Response · published 17 Oct 2025
Recommendations & Conclusions
16
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Produce DfE analysis of funding needed for children's social care reforms and implementation plan.
Conclusion
The Department for Education should produce an analysis of the level of funding that is still needed to achieve the necessary reforms to children’s social care and set out how it will work towards achieving the level of funding recommended …
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Government Response Summary
The government did not commit to producing an analysis of needed funding or setting out how it will work towards achieving the recommended level, instead stating they are already investing the recommended amount.
Department for Education
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31
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Crucial sibling relationships for children in care unprotected due to lack of separation data.
Conclusion
Sibling relationships are crucial for many children in care and, for some, may be the only family relationships they have. They must be protected and supported as much as possible. The lack of any data on the extent of sibling …
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Government Response Summary
The government response cuts off mid-sentence and does not engage with the committee's concern about the lack of data on sibling separation in care.
Department for Education
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70
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Strictly limit handcuff use for child transport and ensure provider accountability with Ofsted.
Conclusion
The Department for Education must act to strictly limit the use of handcuffs to those cases where it is otherwise unavoidable or necessary for the child’s own safety, and work with Ofsted to ensure that local authorities and transport providers …
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Government Response Summary
The government reiterates that children's homes regulations permit restraint only when necessary to prevent injury, damage, or absconding, and it must be proportionate. While stating these principles should apply across children's social care, the response does not commit to new actions to strictly limit handcuff use or work with Ofsted to hold local authorities and transport providers accountable for this specific practice.
Department for Education
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