The Children and Young Persons' Bill, launched in Parliament today (14 November), will usher in a host of new rights for children in local authority care.

The restrictions on out-of-authority placements will also stop children being moved back into their local area unless there are good reasons for doing so.

Other measures in the bill include requiring schools to have a teacher responsible for looked-after children and a legal right for 16- to 18-year-olds to be consulted on decisions about their care.

It will also introduce a £500 allowance to help looked-after children who are struggling at school and a one-off grant of £2,000 for children in care who go to university.

The Fostering Network welcomed the reforms but warned the £2,000 university grant would be insufficient, particularly if young people cannot remain in care until 21.

- www.parliament.uk.