2.1 Explain the impact of current legislation, policies, and influences on learning, development and support services

This guide will help you answer 2.1 Explain the impact of current legislation, policies, and influences on learning, development and support services.

As a worker in the children and young people’s sector, you are expected to know how current laws, policies and wider influences affect learning, development and the services that support children. This is not just for compliance. It guides everyday practice and keeps children safe. It shapes how services are planned and delivered. It also ensures that every child has the best possible chance to grow and succeed.

Legislation Affecting Learning and Development

Several key pieces of legislation form the backbone of practice within the children and young people’s workforce. Each one affects learning, development and support services in different ways.

Children Act 1989 and 2004

The Children Act 1989 established that the welfare of the child is the first priority. It gave local authorities duties to protect and promote the welfare of children in need. The 2004 Act strengthened safeguarding arrangements, introducing the requirement for local authorities and agencies to work together through Local Safeguarding Children Boards.

Impact on practice:

• Every decision must put the child’s welfare first
• Agencies must share information where there is a safeguarding concern
• Workers must follow safeguarding procedures and report concerns quickly

Education Act 1996 and 2002

The Education Acts set out the duty for all children to receive a suitable education. The 2002 Act holds schools and staff responsible for promoting the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils.

Impact on practice:

• Lessons and activities must cover more than academics
• Learning programmes must encourage social and emotional growth
• Special educational needs must be supported through reasonable adjustments

Equality Act 2010

This law protects people from discrimination. It covers nine protected characteristics such as age, disability, race, gender, religion, and sexual orientation.

Impact on practice:

• Settings must be accessible to all
• Resources and teaching methods must reflect diversity
• Discriminatory behaviour must be challenged

Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR

These laws protect personal data. They set strict rules for storing and sharing information.

Impact on practice:

• Personal data must be kept secure
• Information sharing must be limited to those who need it
• Families must be informed about how their data is used

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

This act makes employers responsible for ensuring health and safety in the workplace.

Impact on practice:

• Staff must follow risk assessments to keep children safe
• Equipment and facilities must be maintained
• Training in health and safety procedures must be provided

Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Code of Practice 2015

This guidance tells schools and early years providers how to identify and support children with SEND.

Impact on practice:

• Early identification of needs is encouraged
• Plans must be created with input from families and professionals
• Support must be reviewed regularly

Policies That Support Learning and Development

Policies within a setting help turn legislation into daily practice. They show staff what must be done to meet standards and legal duties.

Safeguarding Policy

This policy sets out how staff will protect children from harm.

• Clear procedures for reporting concerns
• Roles and responsibilities defined
• Training requirements set

Behaviour Management Policy

This guides staff on promoting positive behaviour and responding to negative behaviour.

• Encourages positive reinforcement
• Sets clear expectations
• Promotes consistency across the setting

Inclusion Policy

This policy aims to make learning accessible to all children.

• Adjustments for SEND
• Anti-discrimination measures
• Cultural awareness in resources and activities

Data Handling Policy

This ensures compliance with data protection laws.

• Secure storage of records
• Limited access to confidential information
• Rules for sharing information with parents and professionals

Influences on Learning, Development and Support Services

Apart from legislation and policies, wider influences shape how children are supported.

Government Initiatives

Government plans and programmes direct funding and set priorities. Examples include early years funding, curriculum changes, or schemes to improve school attendance.

Impact:

• Settings adapt their provision to meet new guidelines
• Staff training may be required to follow updated curriculum content
• Additional resources may be provided for targeted needs

Research and Evidence

Studies into child development influence how services work. For example, research on play-based learning encourages early years settings to provide more opportunities for active, hands-on learning.

Impact:

• Changes to teaching methods
• More child-led activities
• Increased focus on social and emotional development

Economic and Social Factors

Family income, housing conditions, and community resources can affect children’s learning.

Impact:

• Some children may need extra support with basic needs
• Outreach programmes may be introduced
• Partnerships with voluntary groups may help fill gaps in services

Cultural Influences

Different communities have different values and traditions. Settings must respect these while promoting inclusion.

Impact:

• Celebration of different cultural events in the curriculum
• Adapting communication techniques
• Supporting bilingual children

Technological Developments

Technology has a big impact on learning methods and communication with families.

Impact:

• Use of digital resources in lessons
• Online portals for sharing information with parents
• Increased need to teach safe online practices

How Legislation and Policy Affect Learning Outcomes

Legislation and policy guide how settings create learning environments. They protect children’s rights, shape teaching approaches, and enforce inclusion. The outcomes for children depend on proper application.

Positive outcomes include:

• Equal access to learning opportunities
• Safer environments
• Support tailored to individual needs
• Increased confidence and engagement

Negative outcomes can occur if policies are not followed:

• Risk to children’s welfare
• Discrimination or exclusion
• Poor academic progress
• Reduced trust from families

How Legislation Influences Support Services

Support services such as speech and language therapy, counselling, and family support are affected by laws and policies.

Impact examples:

• SEND Code pushes for early referrals to specialist services
• Data protection laws control how information is shared with support workers
• Equality Act ensures services are accessible regardless of background

Role of Workers in Applying Legislation and Policy

You play a direct role in applying rules and policies. This includes:

• Knowing the key laws relevant to your role
• Following setting procedures
• Recording and reporting concerns accurately
• Attending required training
• Reflecting on your practice to meet standards

Keeping Practice Up to Date

Legislation and policies change over time. Workers must keep their knowledge current.

Ways to stay informed:

• Attend regular training sessions
• Read official updates from government departments
• Review setting policies when changes are made
• Seek advice from managers when unsure

Importance of Multi-Agency Working

Many laws encourage agencies to work together. Multi-agency working means professionals from different sectors share information and coordinate actions.

Benefits:

• Holistic support for the child
• Faster intervention when problems arise
• Consistent care across services

Examples of agencies:

• Schools
• Local authority social services
• NHS health professionals
• Voluntary sector organisations

Balancing Safeguarding and Learning

Safeguarding children is a priority, but it should not overshadow learning. Both need to work side by side.

Strategies:

• Embedding safeguarding into daily routines
• Creating safe spaces for learning
• Ensuring children feel supported emotionally and physically

Addressing Barriers to Learning

Legislation and policies require settings to identify and address barriers.

Common barriers:

• Language differences
• Special educational needs
• Health issues
• Social and family challenges

Actions taken:

• Personalised learning plans
• Attendance monitoring
• Working with families to address concerns
• Referral to specialist services

Supporting Families

Support services do not just focus on children. Families are part of the picture.

Legislation encourages parental involvement:

• Parents have a say in education plans under SEND Code
• Safeguarding laws involve families in protection strategies
• Equality rules apply to families, too, not just children

Final Thoughts

Understanding how laws, policies, and influences impact learning and development is part of being a skilled worker in the children and young people’s workforce. It ensures that practice meets standards, keeps children safe, and promotes fairness. It also makes sure the learning environment supports each child’s strengths and needs.

When you apply these frameworks in your daily work, you help create services that protect, educate and inspire. Keeping knowledge fresh, following procedures and reflecting on your role will make a direct difference to the lives of children and families you work with.