All Legislation
Childcare & Safeguarding
c. 6
England & Wales
Children and Families Act 2014
View on legislation.gov.ukThis page mainly applies to England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland may have different rules — check the jurisdiction before relying on this information.
Independent editorial summary — not the official statute text. Read the official version on legislation.gov.uk.
Summary
Reformed family justice (introducing a 26-week time limit for care proceedings), reformed adoption law, introduced Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) for children with special educational needs, created the Office of the Children's Commissioner, and extended the right to request flexible working.
Key Points
- 26-week time limit for care proceedings (s.14)
- Child arrangements orders replacing residence and contact orders (s.12)
- Revised adoption provisions (Part 1)
- Special educational needs and disability — EHCPs (Part 3)
- Shared parental leave and pay (Part 7)