Consultation outcome

Establishing the Child Protection Authority in England

• From: Department for Education
• Published: 11 December 2025
• Last updated: 7 July 2026 — See all updates

This was published under the 2024 to 2026 Starmer Labour government

Applies to England

This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

Consultation on establishing a Child Protection Authority: analysis of responses

PDF, 603 KB, 95 pages

Establishing a Child Protection Authority in England: government consultation response

PDF, 573 KB, 45 pages

Detail of outcome

Respondents showed strong support for a Child Protection Authority (CPA) in England. The government will use the findings to inform the CPA’s future role, functions and powers, including its ability to:

• identify emerging risks
• strengthen the use of data and evidence
• support workforce development
• address serious and persistent failings

‘Consultation on establishing a Child Protection Authority: analysis of responses’ provides a summary of responses analysed by York Consulting.

‘Establishing a Child Protection Authority in England: government consultation response’ outlines the government’s response to the consultation and next steps for establishing the CPA.

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Original consultation

Summary

We're seeking views on a setting up a national body called the Child Protection Authority.

This consultation was held on another website.

This consultation ran from
9:30am on 11 December 2025 to 11:59pm on 5 March 2026

Consultation description

We are consulting on creating Child Protection Authority (CPA), a national body to improve child protection.

We propose the CPA to be an expert, accurate and decisive body. It will make the multi-agency child protection system clearer, more unified and ensure there are ongoing improvements through effective evidence-based support.

This consultation seeks views on the CPA’s proposed:

• functions
• governance
• interaction with existing bodies

We welcome responses from:

• frontline practitioners, including but not limited to, those working in children’s services, the police, health, youth justice, probation and education
• safeguarding partnerships
• voluntary and community sector organisations working with children and families
• inspectorates and regulatory bodies with a role in child protection
• organisations and sector bodies who provide improvement training and support
• families with lived experience of the child protection system and their networks
• anyone else who cares about improving child protection

Your feedback will help shape the future of child protection in England.

Published 11 December 2025

Last updated 7 July 2026 — Show all updates

1. 7 July 2026

   Added an analysis of responses and the government response to the consultation.

2. 11 December 2025

   First published.