Briefing: Duties to report child abuse in England
There is currently no general statutory obligation for individuals in England to report child abuse. Government statutory guidance says “anyone who has concerns about a child’s welfare should consider whether a referral needs to be made to local authority children’s social care and should do so immediately if there is a concern that the child is suffering significant harm or is likely to do so.”
This does not impose a legislative requirement to report abuse, but creates an expectation that those working with children will comply with the guidance unless there are exceptional circumstances.
In addition, some individuals, for example teachers, must report child safeguarding concerns under standards or codes of conduct set by their professional regulatory body. A failure to adhere to such standards may result in misconduct or fitness to practise proceedings against them.
This briefing is on reporting child abuse in England, including the government’s plans to introduce a mandatory reporting duty.
