Articles

From 19 June 2026, Section 164A of the Data Protection Act 2018 introduces a formalised framework for how organisations, including schools, must handle data protection complaints. While the statutory requirements themselves are relatively procedural in nature, their interaction with existing school complaints frameworks, particularly the ISSR Part 7 parental complaints procedure, raises important practical questions.

In this article, we set out our view on how schools can most effectively manage these overlapping regimes, ensuring compliance while preserving fairness and operational efficiency.

Recent commentary from the Care Quality Commission ("CQC") is a timely reminder that adult social care providers need clear local arrangements for delegated healthcare activities ("DHT"), particularly where services are registered for the regulated activity of personal care only and not for treatment of disease, disorder or injury ("TDDI").

The draft 2026 revision of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), if adopted, would introduce significant statutory changes in relation to gender-questioning children. Most notably, the Department for Education wishes to embed this content directly within KCSIE itself, rather than issuing standalone guidance.

As the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill (CWSB) moves closer to royal assent, children’s social care providers are preparing for one of the most significant regulatory shifts in recent years. Two areas in particular that demand attention are the proposed profit cap and the new provider oversight regime. Both measures signal a clear intention from government to tighten control, increase transparency, and drive-up standards across the sector.

The Office for Students (OfS) has launched a consultation on proposals to change how it regulates statutory further education providers delivering higher education in England. The consultation, which runs until 10 February 2026, aims to reduce regulatory duplication for eligible providers while maintaining robust oversight to protect students and public funds.

The Care Quality Commission ("CQC") is reshaping its inspection framework to better meet the needs of providers and service users.