Consultation Hub

We sought views on the proposed content for new T Levels in Sport, Physical Activity and Health and Social Care, planned for first teach in September 2028. We asked whether the proposed subject content would support the aims of the qualifications, progression to employment, apprenticeships and higher education, and if they can be effectively delivery by providers.

We received 141 responses, including from education providers, employers, awarding organisations, sector bodies and other organisations and individuals with an interest in the sectors. Respondents were broadly supportive of the development and proposed direction of both T Levels, and their potential to support progression to employment, apprenticeships and higher education. Feedback also identified areas where the content and structure could be strengthened, including its occupational relevance, level of demand, progression and deliverability.

We considered the consultation responses alongside evidence gathered through wider stakeholder engagement, including workshops, roundtables and discussions with employers, sector bodies, providers and awarding organisations. Amendments were made where these strengthened the content and better supported the intended outcomes of the qualifications.

We also undertook an Equality Impact Assessment, considering the issues raised through consultation alongside further departmental analysis and engagement with relevant stakeholders. The final subject content for both T Levels reflects this evidence and provides the framework for awarding organisations to develop the qualifications.

We asked for views on our statutory guidance on the information sharing duty introduced in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act.

You said that draft guidance would benefit from:

• greater clarity around consent to share information
• further content around the accuracy of information
• further guidance on transparency and engaging with children and families
• support for practitioners to better understand what is considered relevant and proportionate
• inclusion of further example scenarios to illustrate how the duty will apply in practice
• greater clarity sharing information about other individuals connected to a child
• stronger messaging on sharing information across service boundaries
• more reference to children with SEND
• inclusion of information sharing advice for non-statutory organisations
• greater clarity that information can be shared with non-statutory organisations, though this sharing takes place outside of the duty
• further content relevant to operationalising the duty
• inclusion of content on anti-discriminatory practice

Following your feedback, we:

• reworked content on consent to make clear the distinction between consent to share information under data protection law and consent for services, to dispel a common misconception that consent is required to share information in the form of a referral to a service
• improved content on data protection law to include considerations around the accuracy of information
• strengthened guidance for practitioners on navigating transparency with children and families, and the importance of ensuring children and families do not confuse transparency with consent to information sharing.
• further clarified guidance on sharing information about other individuals connected to a child, including reference to adult social care.
• included two further example scenarios in the welfare space, which better illustrate:
  • good practice with regards to transparency
  • considerations to be made when sharing information about children with SEND
  • the importance of thinking about a child’s circumstances holistically
  • considerations around accuracy
  • considerations around relevance and proportionality of information
  • sharing information about other individuals connected to a child
• included a dedicated section on sharing information across service boundaries within England, to be clear that the information sharing duty applies.
• are committed to continue to work closely with partners across sectors to ensure the updated guidance reflects stakeholder feedback and supports effective local implementation, and explore what additional materials may be helpful to support practitioners, including resources to aid engagement with children and families and other learning and development products
• included content on anti-discriminatory practice

We asked for views on proposed updates to the School Food Standards in England.

Respondents supported healthier school food and highlighted implementation, cost, inclusion and pupil acceptance considerations.

We will update the School Food Standards and have published the government response: School Food Standards: updating the legislative framework - GOV.UK