M
Member
Speaking in the House of Lords on 3 July 2025
Debate
Children’s Wellbeing and Schools BillContribution
One in five mothers of autistic children report being accused of fabricated or induced illness simply because their child struggles with school attendance. A survey in 2018 of over 1,600 parents found that 18% faced such allegations. This legislation risks embedding these injustices. The Victoria Climbié Foundation UK, which understands all too well the tragic cost of genuine safeguarding failures, warned that more powers without proper thresholds will not fill the gaps through which children fall. It cautions that many high-profile tragedies occur not for lack of statutory power but despite it, because authorities fail to act on obvious evidence. Ultimately, this will erode trust. Parents already report fearing to approach local authorities, worried that seeking help will trigger processes that strip them of their ability to make decisions for their children—especially if you make the criterion what is best for the child according to the state.
About Hansard
Hansard is the official verbatim record of proceedings in the UK Parliament. Every word spoken in the Commons and Lords is recorded and published — this page is a single contribution from that record.
Partner sites