Showcase Magazine Spring 2026 - Flipbook - Page 8
SAFEGUARDING
Designated Safeguarding Officer:
Ellen Roberts
07715 658036
LEGISLATION UPDATE:
MANDATORY REPORTING
DUTY
The Mandatory Reporting Duty is a proposed legal requirement for
certain adults who work with children and young people to report
known or suspected child sexual abuse to the relevant authorities,
such as the police or children’s social care.
Currently, there is no general legal duty in England to report abuse,
with guidance only encouraging reporting where there are concerns.
The Crime and Policing Bill 2025 seeks to change this by introducing
a statutory duty, supported by the NSPCC, requiring professionals and
volunteers to report child sexual abuse, including disclosures,
witnessing abuse, or viewing related material. Failure to report would
become a criminal offence.
The NSPCC is running a
series of free on-demand
webinars to support those
working or volunteering with
children to understand the
proposed duty and how it
will impact them and their
organisation.
What the Duty Covers
Purpose and Considerations
Legal Consequences
The duty applies to individuals aged 18
or over involved in regulated activity
with children (e.g. teachers, social
workers,
healthcare
professionals,
childcare staff, volunteers). You must
make a report if you:
Are told about child sexual abuse
(CSA) by a child or adult
See/ witness CSA directly
See/hear images, videos, or audio
that show CSA.
The
official
government
impact
assessment states the duty applies only
when these clear thresholds are met,
i.e. direct disclosures or observed
abuse. Limited exemptions will exist, for
example where confidentiality is
necessary for the safety and wellbeing
of a child (such as in some health
services situations).
The government’s goal is to:
Strengthen child protection and
safeguarding by ensuring serious
abuse isn’t missed
Standardise reporting practices
across the country
Place clear expectations on those in
key roles with children.
Supporters argue this will help identify
abuse earlier and more consistently.
However, critics (including medical and
safeguarding bodies) have raised
concerns
that
it
might
affect
confidentiality and trust in healthcare
and other settings if not carefully
implemented. They are also concerned
that it could lead to a
