Threads / Mandatory Reporting of Child Sexual Abuse / Reporting and acting on child abuse and neglect
Consultation Outcome Published 21 Jul 2016 Department for Education Home Office ↗ View on GOV.UK

Reporting and acting on child abuse and neglect

This consultation seeks views on the possible introduction of mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect or a duty to act in relation to child abuse or neglect.

Opened 21 Jul 2016
Closed 13 Oct 2016
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This consultation sets out the government’s wide-ranging programme of reform to provide better outcomes for vulnerable children. It seeks views on the possible introduction of one of 2 additional statutory measures:

  • a mandatory reporting duty, which would require certain practitioners or organisations to report child abuse or neglect if they knew or had reasonable cause to suspect it was taking place
  • a duty to act, which would require certain practitioners or organisations to take appropriate action in relation to child abuse or neglect if they knew or had reasonable cause to suspect it was taking place

The consultation responds to the aims set out in the Serious Crime Act 2015 and tackling child sexual exploitation report, published in March 2015.

The government will consider all responses to the consultation carefully before deciding on next steps.