Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when her Department plans to publish its response to the Home Office public consultation, Reporting and acting on child abuse and neglect; and if she will pay particular regard to mandatory reporting and acting on child sexual abuse and neglect in that response.

The consultation 'Reporting and acting on child abuse and neglect' sought views on a mandatory duty to report child abuse and neglect and an alternative duty focused on taking appropriate action, as well as the effects of embedding current government reforms. The consultation was a broad exercise which invited views on a range of different models, including the potential scope of any duty and the types of abuse such a duty might pertain to.

Tackling both child sexual abuse and neglect remains a key focus of the government’s reforms to create a world class child protection system, where the needs of individual children are identified early and they get the help and support they require as soon as possible to keep them safe.

The government has committed to laying a report before Parliament on the outcome of the consultation. Submissions are being considered and a government response will be published in due course. Just as it was right to consider in depth the evidence around these questions, it is important that we apply equally careful consideration to formulating our response in such a complex policy area, with such vitally important implications for the safety and welfare of children.