Consultation outcome

Reporting and acting on child abuse and neglect

This consultation has concluded

Download the full outcome

Reporting and acting on child abuse and neglect: government response (web)

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Reporting and acting on child abuse and neglect: government response (print)

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Detail of outcome

The consultation received 768 responses. In addition, we held a roundtable meeting chaired by the then Minister for Vulnerability, Safeguarding and Countering Extremism. The event was held in Rotherham and was attended by victim and survivor groups and key voluntary organisations. We are grateful to everyone who took the time to respond to the consultation and to provide views on these critical issues. Full details are published in the attached document.


Original consultation

Summary

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.

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

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.

Documents

Reporting and acting on child abuse and neglect: government consultation (web)

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Reporting and acting on child abuse and neglect: government consultation (print)

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Supporting annexes

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Impact assessment

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Regulatory Policy Committee rating

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Published 21 July 2016