Influencing the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act

How does the College combine paediatric and policy expertise to influence legislation? Professor Andrew Rowland, Officer for Child Protection, talks about our work with colleagues from RCPCH and NSPCC. The UK Government introduced the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill in 2024. This proposed measures to improve information sharing between services, strengthen safeguarding, reform children’s social care and raise standards and protections in schools. This received Royal Assent in early May 2026. Andrew invites Elizabeth Collin, RCPCH Public Affairs and Campaign Manager and Joanna Barrett, NSPCC Associate Head of Policy, to discuss the work of the College and the NSPCC in influencing this piece of legislation and reflections on the joint campaign for equal protection from assault across the UK. He then speaks with Grace Hastie, RCPCH Policy Manager for Child Protection and Ethics, on the long-term engagement and policy work surrounding the bill. Read more about our campaign to give every child in the UK equal protection from assault - on RCPCH website Get involved in the College’s influencing work - Paediatric Influencing Network Find out more about the NSPCC’s ongoing campaign to end physical punishment – on NSPCC website Download transcript (PDF) The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast relates only to the speaker and not necessarily to their employer, organisation, RCPCH or any other group or individual. About Andrew Professor Andrew Rowland is the RCPCH Officer for Child Protection and a consultant in paediatric emergency medicine. He has worked nationally and internationally in child protection, advocating for and with children and young people and safeguarding vulnerable groups. About Elizabeth Elizabeth Collin is the RCPCH Public Affairs and Campaign Manager. She works with College Officers, staff and members to make the case to Parliament and government for policies to support the paediatric workforce and improve child health outcomes. About Joanna Joanna Barrett is the Associate Head of Policy at the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC). She was heavily involved in the successful campaign to end the physical punishment of children in Scotland and is leading NSPCC's work on this campaign in England. About Grace Grace Hastie is the Policy Manager for Child Protection and Ethics at RCPCH. She works closely with the Officer for Child Protection to improve child protection and safeguarding across the UK.