Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Information about the establishment of the statutory Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs.
The statutory Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs (the Inquiry) was set up to address systemic failures in how institutions responded to child sexual exploitation and abuse committed by grooming gangs which has caused serious and long-lasting harm to victims and survivors.
The Inquiry was established in response to recommendation 2 of Baroness Louise Casey’s National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse published in June 2025.
On 9 December 2025 the Home Secretary announced to Parliament the appointment of Baroness Anne Longfield CBE as Chair of the Inquiry, and panellists Zoë Billingham CBE and Eleanor Kelly CBE.
Following a period of consultation, the final terms of reference for the Inquiry have now been published and are available on this page and the Inquiry’s website.
If you are a victim or survivor of child sexual abuse and exploitation, or a concerned family member or friend, you can find information about what support is available.
Documents
Updates to this page
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Final terms of reference and accompanying letters between the Home Secretary and Baroness Longfield added to collection page following consultation.
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Updated to remove link to closed consultation.
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Link to page on consultation privacy notice added to collection.
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Link added to the consultation on the draft terms of reference.
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Added information about the consultation on the draft terms of reference.
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Clarification of publication date for terms of reference.
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Added links to Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs: letter to victims and survivors and Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs: letters.
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First published.