Children and Families Act 2014: chapter 6

The Act makes provision about children, families, and people with special educational needs. Specifically, it covers: adoption and children looked after by local authorities; family justice (e.g. mediation); children and young people in England with special educational needs; childminding agencies; the Children's Commissioner; statutory rights to leave and pay; time off work for ante-natal care; and the right to request flexible working. Part 5 of the Act contains various provisions relating to the welfare of children, including giving children in care the choice to stay with their foster families until they turn 21, making young carers’ and parent carers’ rights to support from councils much clearer, reforming children’s residential care to make sure homes are safe and secure and a requirement on all state-funded schools (including academies) to provide free school lunches on request for all pupils in reception, year 1 and year 2.