Reports & recommendations
107 recommendations from 16 reports, each with the government response on the record. Filter by government response, report, nation or delivery status.
Reports (16)
Recommendations (45)
Reform Church of England clergy discipline for safeguarding
The Church of England should make changes and improvements to the way in which it responds to safeguarding complaints (whether related to allegations of abuse, or a failure to comply with or respond to the Church's safeguarding policies and procedures) to: disapply the 12-month time-limit for all complaints with a safeguarding element brought under the Clergy Discipline Measure; reintroduce the power to depose from holy orders where a member of the clergy is found guilty of child sexual abuse offences; introduce a mandatory 'code of practice' to improve the way that safeguarding issues are handled across the Clergy Discipline Measure and capability procedures, including a framework for responding to issues that do not amount to misconduct; make clear that penalty by consent must never be used in relation to such complaints; ensure confidentiality agreements are not put in place in relation to such complaints; and ensure that those handling such complaints are adequately and regularly trained.
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse reported in October 2022 that the Church of England stated in March 2021 that it endorses proposals to replace the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003 with a new set of provisions (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). The inquiry noted that these provisions would include a disciplinary process, a mandatory code of practice, and the removal of the 12-month time limit for safeguarding-related complaints (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). It also recorded that the church intended to bring forward legislation to reintroduce the power to depose from holy orders as soon as practicable, while the National Church Institutions' Legal Office had taken steps to introduce new training for diocesan complaint handlers (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022).
Redraft canonical crimes as crimes against the child
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales should request that the Holy See redraft the canonical crimes relating to child sexual abuse as crimes against the child.
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse reported in October 2022 that the Catholic Council for the Inquiry confirmed in September 2021 that revised canonical penal legislation would come into force on 8 December 2021 (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). The inquiry recorded in October 2022 that the council accepted the recommendation and asked the Holy See to redraft canonical crimes, framing child sexual abuse as an offence against human dignity rather than clerical obligations (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022).
Catholic complaints policy with escalation process
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales and the Conference of Religious should publish a national policy for complaints about the way in which a safeguarding case is handled. The policy should deal with communication with complainants during the complaints process and set out an escalation process for all complainants to have their complaint assessed by an independent adjudicator, if they are unhappy with how their complaint has been handled.
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse reported in October 2022 that the Catholic Council for the Inquiry stated in April 2021 that a framework and template for complaints, including clear communication and an escalation process, was ratified by the Bishops in November 2020 (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). It also reported in October 2022 that by November 2021, the CSSA website had launched containing the National Safeguarding Standards, the National Safeguarding policy, and practice guidance documents (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022).
Expand Ofsted powers for unregistered settings
The government should introduce legislation to: change the definition of full-time education, and to bring any setting that is the pupil's primary place of education within the scope of the definition of a registered educational setting; and provide the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) with sufficient powers to examine the quality of child protection when it undertakes inspections of suspected unregistered institutions.
The UK Government has provided no direct response on the record, but in December 2023 the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse reported that the government stated on 2 March 2022 that it had considered responses to a 2020 consultation on proposals to amend registration requirements for independent education settings and would publish its response (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Dec 2023). The Inquiry also reported that the government noted a prior commitment by the Department for Education to increase the powers available to Ofsted when conducting inspections under section 97 of the 2008 Act, including in the Integrated Communities Action Plan 2019 (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Dec 2023).
Research high child remand population
The Inquiry was told that children should only be placed in custody as a last resort. However, it was concerned to hear evidence that some children are remanded in custody because of a lack of appropriate community provision. Given that the proportion of children in custody on remand is so high, this is an issue of significant concern. The Chair and Panel recommend that the Youth Custody Service commissions research into why the child remand population is as high as it is. If the reason is a lack of appropriate community provision (nationally or in certain areas), or otherwise unrelated to a genuine need for those children to be remanded in custody, the Chair and Panel recommend that the Youth Custody Service, with appropriate partner agencies, puts an action plan in place to address this.
The Inquiry asked the Youth Custody Service to research why child remand is high. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, summarising a Ministry of Justice response of July 2019 on a web page archived in October 2022, recorded that the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 received Royal Assent in April 2022, with section 157 tightening legal tests for remanding children to custody (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). In January 2022, the department published its review of custodial remand for children, which examined factors behind the rising remand proportion, highlighted the "ethnic disproportionality of remand", and committed to considering greater use of bail and local authority provision (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022).
Prohibit pain compliance techniques
The Chair and Panel consider that the use of pain compliance techniques should be seen as a form of child abuse, and that it is likely to contribute to a culture of violence, which may increase the risk of child sexual abuse. The Chair and Panel recommend that the Ministry of Justice prohibits the use of pain compliance techniques by withdrawing all policy permitting its use, and setting out that this practice is prohibited by way of regulation.
The recommendation asks the Ministry of Justice to prohibit pain compliance techniques. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, summarising a response of July 2019 on a web page archived in October 2022, recorded that the department confirmed in April 2021 that the Youth Custody Service had established the Independent Restraint and Behaviour Panel (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). It noted that in June 2020 the department published the Charlie Taylor Review alongside a response stating it would remove pain-inducing techniques from the Minimising and Managing Physical Restraint (MMPR) syllabus (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). However, the review recommended that staff may still use pain-inducing techniques to prevent serious physical harm, and the sources do not mention prohibition by regulation (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022).
Joint MoJ/DfE policy for children in custody
The Chair and Panel recommend that the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Education share policy responsibility for managing and safeguarding children in custodial institutions. This is to ensure that standards applied in relation to children in custody are jointly focussed on discipline and securing child welfare.
The recommendation asks the Ministry of Justice to share policy responsibility for children in custody. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, summarising a response of July 2019 on a web page archived in October 2022, reported that the department accepted the principle behind the recommendation (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). According to the Inquiry, the department stated its ambition was to replace all Youth Offender Institutions and Secure Training Centres with secure schools and Secure Children’s Homes, for which the Department for Education has policy responsibility, while interim work was being conducted to ensure a child-focused ethos (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022).
Nottingham harmful sexual behaviour evaluation
Nottingham City Council and its child protection partners should commission an independent, external evaluation of their practice concerning harmful sexual behaviour, including responses, prevention, assessment, intervention and workforce development. An action plan should be set up to ensure that any recommendations are responded to in a timely manner and progress should be reported to City's Safeguarding Children Partnership.
The Inquiry asked Nottingham City Council to commission an independent evaluation of practice regarding harmful sexual behaviour. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse reported in a web page archived in October 2022 that the council stated in July 2021 that the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) had undertaken an independent external evaluation of its practice (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). The Inquiry recorded in that October 2022 update that an action plan had been developed to disseminate learning and recommendations (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). In the same October 2022 update, the Inquiry noted the council's September 2020 statement that audit findings were broadly positive, but the record does not mention prevention, assessment, intervention, or workforce development (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022).
National chaperone policy for healthcare (Wales)
The Chair and Panel recommend that the Welsh Government develops a national policy for the training and use of chaperones in the treatment of children in healthcare services. The Chair and Panel recommend that Healthcare Inspectorate Wales considers compliance with national chaperone policies (once implemented) in its assessments of services.
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, in a summary of January 2020 responses archived in October 2022, reported that the Welsh Government published guidance for health boards and trusts on good working practice for the use of chaperones during intimate examinations or procedures within NHS Wales (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). In the same October 2022 update, it noted that these good working practice guidelines were developed in response to the recommendation in its Interim Report (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022).
Youth Custody Service safeguarding training
The Chair and Panel recommend that the Youth Custody Service takes steps to ensure that its training provides staff with an appropriate understanding of safeguarding in the context of the secure estate, and that this is regularly reviewed and updated.
The recommendation asks the Youth Custody Service to regularly review and update staff safeguarding training. In October 2022, The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse recorded that the Ministry of Justice stated in May 2022 that the service was drafting guidance to complement mandatory safeguarding training for new staff, subject to targeted public consultation (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). The department also stated in May 2022 that the service intended to publish a Safeguarding Strategy outlining longer term training plans (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). In its October 2022 record, the inquiry noted that the service had published a national safeguarding review in October 2019 recommending localized training to address emerging sector needs (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022).
Professional registration for custodial care staff
As the Inquiry set out in its Interim Report, professional registration of the workforce in settings responsible for the care of vulnerable children complements regulation of institutions by a separate, independent regulator. The Government has agreed in principle that professional regulation of staff in children's homes in England could provide an effective additional means of protecting children. It has indicated that it will be conducting an evidence-gathering exercise to inform further action. The Chair and Panel now recommend that the Ministry of Justice introduces arrangements for the professional registration of staff in roles responsible for the care of children in YOIs and STCs. The Interim Report recommendation already applies to staff working with children in SCHs.
The recommendation asks the Ministry of Justice to introduce professional registration for custodial care staff. In an update archived in October 2022, The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse reported that the department stated in May 2022 that it was considering the review (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). The department had stated in November 2021 that it had concluded its review of evidence gathered through targeted stakeholder consultation across youth justice, and committed to notify the Inquiry of the outcome as soon as possible (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022).
Revise Prison Service safeguarding guidance
The Chair and Panel note that Prison Service Instruction (PSI) 08/2012, which sets out the mandatory actions for YOIs and STCs for 'maintaining a safe and secure environment', has expired. The Chair and Panel recommend that the Ministry of Justice revises and publishes this PSI to provide clear guidance on how custodial institutions must respond to allegations of child sexual abuse. This should include a requirement for all allegations to be referred to a child protection professional who is independent of the institution. The Chair and Panel also recommend that all institutions, including those which are privately run, publish their safeguarding local procedures in full as well as regular reports about their use, to aid scrutiny and increase transparency.
The recommendation asks for expired Prison Service safeguarding guidance to be revised and published. In an account archived in October 2022, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse recorded that the Ministry of Justice stated in May 2022 that early work had started on producing the Care and Management of Young People framework to replace Prison Service Instruction (PSI) 08/2012 (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). The department also confirmed that the Youth Custody Service was drafting "Keeping Children Safe in Secure Settings" guidance (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). The account did not mention independent referrals of abuse allegations or requirements for institutions to publish safeguarding procedures and regular reports (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022).
Church of England religious communities safeguarding
The Church of England should introduce appropriate guidance which deals with safeguarding within the context of a religious community affiliated to the Church. It must ensure that these organisations meet adequate requirements for safeguarding and child protection. The needs of victims should be prioritised when designing safeguarding policies and practices. The regulation and management of religious communities should include a mandatory requirement both to have and to follow safeguarding guidance. The requirement to comply with this safeguarding guidance should be the same as would be expected in any other Church institution. There needs to be clarity in respect of how safeguarding should be managed in these communities, along with appropriate auditing of compliance.
This recommendation asks the Church of England to introduce mandatory safeguarding guidance for affiliated religious communities. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, summarising a June 2019 response from the Church on a web page archived in August 2023, reported that the General Synod would consider Amending Canon No. 40 in July 2020 (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Aug 2023). It noted that this amendment would add canon provisions for religious communities and that the National Safeguarding Team planned to revise practice guidance alongside new regulations (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Aug 2023). The summary highlighted plans to strengthen the safeguarding responsibilities of episcopal visitors, but did not mention auditing compliance or prioritising the needs of victims (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Aug 2023).
DBS and training compliance for Church officers
Individuals engaged in regulated activity who have failed to undergo a DBS check or complete compulsory training should not be permitted to hold voluntary offices within the Church. Failure by ordained clergy to comply with either requirement should result in disciplinary proceedings.
The recommendation calls for barring untrained or unvetted volunteers and disciplining noncompliant clergy. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, summarising a June 2019 response from the Church of England on a web page archived in August 2023, reported that its National Safeguarding Team would review guidance by December 2019 (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Aug 2023). In that August 2023 account, it noted that the review of the Parish Safeguarding Handbook was intended to ensure that the position was reflected (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Aug 2023).
Send internal safeguarding reviews to national body
If religious organisations have undertaken internal reviews or enquiries into individual safeguarding incidents, their findings should be sent to the national review body (set up under the Children and Social Work Act 2017).
Religious organisations should send internal safeguarding review findings to the national review body. In an update archived in August 2023, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse reported that the Church of England stated in July 2022 that all independent learning lessons case reviews commissioned by the Archbishops' Council had been shared with the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Aug 2023). It also recorded in August 2023 that the church's National Director of Safeguarding would meet with the panel every six months, while updated review arrangements were due to be detailed in a forthcoming House of Bishops policy scheduled for consultation in September 2022 and approval in December 2022 (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Aug 2023).
Assessment of potential risks posed by foster carers and residential care staff
Nottingham City Council should assess the potential risks posed by current and former foster carers directly provided by the council in relation to the sexual abuse of children. They should also ensure that current and former foster carers provided by external agencies are assessed by those agencies. Any concerns which arise should be referred to the appropriate body or process, including the Disclosure and Barring Service, the local authority designated officer (LADO) or equivalent, the fostering panel and the police. Nottinghamshire County Council should assess the potential risks posed by current and former residential care staff and foster carers, which are directly provided by the council, in relation to the sexual abuse of children. They should also ensure that current and former staff in residential care provided by external agencies, and current and former foster carers provided by external agencies, are assessed by those agencies. Any concerns which arise should be referred to the appropriate body or process, including the Disclosure and Barring Service, the relevant regulatory body, the local authority designated officer (LADO), the fostering panel and the police.
The Inquiry asked local authorities to assess risks from foster carers and residential care staff. On its website archived in October 2022, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse reported that Nottingham City Council confirmed in July 2021 that risk reviews of internal and agency foster carers were complete, requiring no further referrals (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). It also recorded Nottinghamshire County Council stating in June 2021 that its review of foster carers was complete, while its review of current and former residential care staff remained ongoing (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022).
Create diocesan safeguarding officers
The Church of England should create the role of a diocesan safeguarding officer to replace the diocesan safeguarding adviser. Diocesan safeguarding officers should have the authority to make decisions independently of the diocesan bishop in respect of key safeguarding tasks, including: escalating incidents to the National Safeguarding Team, statutory authorities and the Charity Commission; advising on the suspension of clergy in safeguarding matters; investigating and/or commissioning investigations into safeguarding incidents; risk assessments and associated plans for church officers and members of the congregation; and supporting complainants in safeguarding-related issues. Diocesan safeguarding officers should be employed locally, by the Diocese Board of Finance. The diocesan safeguarding officer's work should be professionally supervised and quality assured by the National Safeguarding Team. The National Safeguarding Team should set the broad requirements for anyone applying to be a diocesan safeguarding officer (adapting as required the existing requirements in respect of diocesan safeguarding advisers). It should be enshrined in policy that those who are volunteers and who do not follow the directions of diocesan safeguarding officers should be removed from responsibility of working with children.
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse recorded that the Church of England stated in March 2021 that it would amend Canon C30 and associated regulations to establish diocesan safeguarding officers with independent decision-making authority (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). The Inquiry noted in October 2022 that the Church also planned to pilot a regional supervision model and expected revisions to its policy on allegations against church officers to take effect by June 2022 (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022).
Church in Wales provincial safeguarding officers
The Church in Wales should make clear that the operational advice of provincial safeguarding officers must be followed by all members of the clergy and other Church officers. It should be enshrined in policy that those who are volunteers and who do not follow the directions of provincial safeguarding officers should be removed from working with children.
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse reported in October 2022 that the Church in Wales stated in January 2022 that its timetable for adopting updated procedural guidance was delayed (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). It had previously stated in April 2021 that it introduced a new Disciplinary Tribunal cause of action and would revise policies to make clear that provincial safeguarding officers' operational advice must be followed (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). It also stated in April 2021 that it would revise procedural guidelines to establish that volunteers who do not follow directions should be removed from working with children (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022).
Church in Wales record-keeping policies
The Church in Wales should introduce record-keeping policies relating to safeguarding, complaints and whistleblowing. These should be implemented consistently across dioceses. The Church should develop policies and training on the information that must be recorded in files. The Church should provide its provincial safeguarding officers with the right to see personnel files of clergy, office holders, employees or others if concerns and complaints are raised about child protection or safeguarding.
The Church in Wales stated in January 2022 that its timetable for adopting updated procedural guidance had slipped, according to an update published by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse in October 2022 (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). In that October 2022 update, the inquiry recorded that the church had stated in April 2021 that its national online safeguarding case management system launched in January 2020, and that it agreed guidance was needed to make clear that provincial safeguarding officers may inspect lay personnel files as well as clergy files (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022).
Church of England/Wales information sharing protocol
The Church of England and the Church in Wales should agree and implement a formal information-sharing protocol. This should include the sharing of information about clergy who move between the two Churches.
As reported by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse in October 2022, the Church of England announced in June 2021 that the updated edition of the House of Bishops' handling of Clergy Personal Files policy supports the recommendation on data sharing with the Church in Wales and clarifies the lawful basis for processing clergy data (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). The Inquiry also recorded that the Bishops of the Church in Wales approved a corresponding clergy personal files policy taking effect immediately in July 2021, aiming to achieve the full sharing of personnel files between the two churches (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022).
Local diocesan information sharing protocols
The Church of England, the Church in Wales and statutory partners should ensure that information-sharing protocols are in place at a local level between dioceses and statutory partners.
The Church of England stated in March 2021, as summarised by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse in October 2022, that it would develop template information-sharing agreements for dioceses to adapt and use with statutory partners (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). It also stated that a proposed agreement with the police was being reviewed by all parties, with work expected to conclude by December 2021 (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). The inquiry also reported that the Church in Wales stated in April 2021 that discussions were continuing regarding coordinated national conversations with other statutory partners (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022).
Church independent external safeguarding audits
The Church in Wales should introduce independent external auditing of its safeguarding policies and procedures, as well as the effectiveness of safeguarding practice in dioceses, cathedrals and other Church organisations. Audits should be conducted regularly and reports should be published. The Church of England should continue independent external auditing of its safeguarding policies and procedures, as well as the effectiveness of safeguarding practice in dioceses, cathedrals and other Church organisations. Audits should continue to be conducted regularly and reports should continue to be published.
In March 2026, Marsha De Cordova, representing the Church Commissioners, stated that an independent safeguarding audit programme had reviewed the National Safeguarding Team and 22 dioceses, with 17 reports published, remaining reports due soon, and diocesan audits scheduled to run until early 2028 (Marsha De Cordova, Mar 2026). Previously, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse recorded in October 2022 that the Church of England had committed to five-yearly audits, while the Church in Wales planned to audit casework and establish external reviews (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022).
Catholic lead clergy for safeguarding
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales and the Conference of Religious in England and Wales should each nominate a lead member of the clergy for safeguarding to provide leadership and oversight on safeguarding matters to their respective Conferences and the wider Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales.
The Inquiry recommended that Catholic bishops and religious conferences nominate lead clergy for safeguarding. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, in an account published in October 2022 summarising an April 2021 response from the Catholic Council for the Inquiry, reported that the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales approved a role description in March 2021 and appointed Bishop Paul Mason for a term of three years (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). It also recorded that the Conference of Religious approved a safeguarding role description and appointed Father David Smolira as its first lead (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). Both positions were described as working collaboratively to model a "One Church" strategy for safeguarding in England and Wales (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022).
Mandatory Catholic safeguarding training
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales should ensure that safeguarding training is mandatory for all staff and volunteers in roles where they work with children or victims and survivors of abuse. It should also be a requirement that regular refresher training is completed. The training should consider the impact of child sexual abuse, including the impact of trauma and the perspective of victims and survivors, and should be developed in conjunction with the Survivor Advisory Panel.
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse reported in October 2022 that the Catholic Council for the Inquiry stated in April 2021 that baseline safeguarding training was already mandatory for clergy and parish safeguarding representatives, supplemented by biennial refresher training (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). It also recorded in October 2022 that the reach of mandatory training was being extended to volunteers under a new standards-based approach, with the Survivors' Reference Panel acting as a key player in this work (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022).
Catholic non-compliance framework
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales and the Conference of Religious should publish a clear framework for dealing with cases of non-compliance with safeguarding policies and procedures. That framework should identify who is responsible for dealing with issues of non-compliance at all levels of the Church, and include the measures or sanctions for non-compliance.
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse recorded in October 2022 that the Catholic Council for the Inquiry stated in September 2021 that all Catholic dioceses and religious orders had been invited to enter contractual arrangements with the new Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency by the end of that year (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). It reported in October 2022 that this agency would provide an audit function with powers of sanction to handle non-compliance, with recruitment for an audit team underway as of late 2021 (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). It added in October 2022 that work to redraft the General Decree for Safeguarding was continuing as of September 2021 following requests for clarification from the Holy See (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022).
Independent validation of Catholic audit programme
The Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service should have the effectiveness of its audit programme regularly validated by an independent organisation which is external to the Church. These independent reports should be published.
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse reported, in an update archived in October 2022, that the Catholic Council for the Inquiry stated in September 2021 that the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency Board remained committed to independent verification of its audit processes (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). It recorded that the agency planned to undertake a formal process to appoint a suitable external body in spring 2022 and publish review outcomes on its website, following the November 2021 launch of national safeguarding standards (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022).
Review Catholic safeguarding policies manual
The Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service should review its policies and procedures manual and the documents within it to ensure that they are consistent, easier to follow and more accessible.
The record holds no direct response from the Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse reported that in November 2021 the CSSA website had launched containing the National Safeguarding Standards, the National Safeguarding policy, and practice guidance documents (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). It recorded that the Catholic Council for the Inquiry had stated in September 2021 that national safeguarding policies and procedures were live documents that remained "subject to review and refinement", following revisions published in early 2020 to reduce complexity (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022).
Religious organisation child protection policies
All religious organisations should have a child protection policy and supporting procedures, which should include advice and guidance on responding to disclosures of abuse and the needs of victims and survivors. The policy and procedures should be updated regularly, with professional child protection advice, and all organisations should have regular compulsory training for those in leadership positions and those who work with children and young people.
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse reported in December 2023 that the Muslim Council of Britain stated in June 2022 that it was producing mosque-specific safeguarding guidance and templates planned for publication by late 2022 (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Dec 2023). The Inquiry also recorded that the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses stated in February 2022 that its child protection policy was reviewed regularly and had been updated following the investigation report (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Dec 2023). In the same month, the Baptist Union of Great Britain stated that it was working to gather more safeguarding data across its churches to direct support for abuse victims and prioritise resources (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Dec 2023).
Residential schools inspection and guardians registration
The Department for Education and the Welsh Government should: require all residential special schools to be inspected against the quality standards used to regulate children's homes in England and care homes in Wales; reintroduce a duty on boarding schools and residential special schools to inform the relevant inspectorate of allegations of child sexual abuse and other serious incidents, with professional or regulatory consequences for breach of this duty; if the recommendation above is implemented, residential special schools will automatically be subject to this duty; and introduce a system of licensing and registration of educational guardians for international students which requires Disclosure and Barring Service and barred list checks to be undertaken.
The Inquiry called for strengthened residential school inspections, mandatory abuse reporting, and educational guardian licensing. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, summarising a June 2022 response on a page archived in July 2022, reported that the UK government planned to strengthen National Minimum Standards (NMS) rather than adopt children's homes quality standards, while considering reporting rules alongside wider mandatory reporting policies and reviewing guardian licensing options (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Jul 2022). According to the Inquiry's summary, the Welsh Government also stated in June 2022 that it intended to use regulation-making powers to regulate care and support in residential special schools potentially by December 2023, incorporating notification duties and progressing guardian measures alongside boarding school standards (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Jul 2022).
National LADO standards
The Department for Education and the Welsh Government should: introduce a set of national standards for local authority designated officers in England and Wales to promote consistency; and clarify in statutory guidance that the local authority designated officer can be contacted for informal advice as well as when a concern or allegation needs to be referred.
The recommendation asks for national standards and clearer statutory guidance for local authority designated officers. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, summarising a UK Government response of June 2022 on a web page archived in July 2022, reported that the government was considering reviewing the statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children, including revised content on the role of designated officers and a potential public consultation (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Jul 2022). In that July 2022 summary, it also noted the Welsh Government stating in June 2022 that designated officers already adhere to professional standards as qualified social workers, alongside ongoing work by Social Care Wales on national minimum standards for safeguarding training (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Jul 2022).
Independent school governance standards
The Department for Education and the Welsh Government should: amend the Independent School Standards to include the requirements that there is an effective system of governance, based on three principles of openness to external scrutiny, transparency and honesty within the governance arrangements, and the ability of governors to have difficult conversations both internally and with those providing external scrutiny; amend the Independent School Standards to stipulate that the proprietor cannot be the designated safeguarding lead; and amend the current system of registration of independent schools to apply the same standards to registrants as those applying to open a free school or early years provision.
The Inquiry recommended strengthening independent school governance, safeguarding roles, and school registration standards. In a summary of a June 2022 response archived in July 2022, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse reported that the UK government agreed in principle to revise governance standards and bar proprietors from acting as designated safeguarding leads (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Jul 2022). The Inquiry noted the government intended to consult on revised standards in 2023, update safeguarding guidance, and explore aligning independent school registration with free school standards (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Jul 2022). It also recorded that the Welsh Government agreed to amend its regulations and registration processes across all points of the recommendation (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Jul 2022).
Nationally accredited safeguarding training in schools
The Department for Education and the Welsh Government should: set nationally accredited standards and levels of safeguarding training in schools; make the highest level of safeguarding training mandatory for headteachers, designated safeguarding leads in England or designated safeguarding persons in Wales, designated safeguarding governors, or the proprietor or head of the proprietorial body; and undertake an urgent review in order to improve the provision and effectiveness of relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) for children with special educational needs and disabilities, both for children who are in mainstream settings and for those in special schools.
The Inquiry asked the Department for Education to establish accredited school safeguarding training standards. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, in a summary of June 2022 published in July 2022, recorded that the UK Government pledged to consider setting accredited standards and had strengthened guidance for headteachers and designated safeguarding leads (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Jul 2022). The summary noted that the government also planned an evaluation of relationships and sex education, including in special schools, though training for school governors or proprietors was not mentioned (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Jul 2022). It also reported that the Welsh Government was developing training standards through Social Care Wales for independent schools and considering reviewing its Relationships and Sexuality Education Code for children with additional learning needs (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Jul 2022).
Schools notify inspectorate of DBS referrals
The Department for Education and the Welsh Government should: require schools to inform the relevant inspectorate when they have referred a member of staff to the Disclosure and Barring Service, the Teaching Regulation Agency or the Education Workforce Council; and include in the national standards for local authority designated officers a requirement that local authority designated officers should share information on referrals from schools with the relevant inspectorate (see recommendation 2)
The Inquiry recommended requiring schools to notify inspectorates when referring staff to regulatory bodies. In July 2022, summarising responses of June 2022, The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse reported that the UK Government was cautious about establishing a reporting mechanism limited to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA), though it would consider requiring local authority designated officers to share referral information within updated safeguarding guidance (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Jul 2022). The inquiry also noted that the Welsh Government accepted the recommendation in principle in June 2022, but stated it lacked powers to require notifications and would work to establish the necessary vehicle to implement them (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Jul 2022).
Extend TRA jurisdiction to teaching assistants
The Department for Education should amend the Teachers' Disciplinary (England) Regulations 2012 to bring all teaching assistants, learning support staff and cover supervisors within the misconduct jurisdiction of the Teaching Regulation Agency. The Department for Education and the Welsh Government should amend Keeping Children Safe in Education and Keeping Learners Safe to: provide more detailed guidance as to the quality, nature and degree of supervision required for supervised volunteers working with children in schools; and make clear that Disclosure and Barring Service checks are free of charge for supervised volunteers, and should be obtained wherever practicable. The Department for Education and the Welsh Government should amend the regulations to provide that inclusion on the children's barred list automatically disqualifies the individual from being a governor or proprietor of any school. The Home Office should amend the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 so that proprietors and members of the proprietorial body and governors should be checked against the children's barred list.
The Inquiry asked the Department for Education to extend misconduct jurisdiction and strengthen school safeguarding rules. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, summarising a UK Government response of June 2022 on a web page archived in July 2022, reported that anyone undertaking teaching work can already be referred to the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) regardless of role (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Jul 2022). It recorded that the government incorporated free Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) volunteer checks into guidance, agreed in principle to consider supervision guidance, and would consider barring checks for governors alongside the Home Office (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Jul 2022). It also noted that the Welsh Government accepted the recommendation in principle in June 2022 and would review guidance and regulations regarding governors (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Jul 2022).
Welsh independent school standards update
The Welsh Government should: update the Independent School Standards as a matter of urgency; update the national minimum standards for boarding schools as a matter of urgency; legislate so that all residential special schools are judged against the quality standards in place for care homes in Wales; ensure that all teachers and learning support staff in independent schools in Wales are required to register with the Education Workforce Council; and consider extending the duty to report a child at risk of harm in section 130 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 to independent school staff.
The Inquiry asked the Welsh Government to update independent school standards, registration, and reporting duties. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, summarising a June 2022 response from the Welsh Government in an update of July 2022, reported that work was ongoing to draft legislation amending independent school regulations and requiring staff to register with the Education Workforce Council (EWC) (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Jul 2022). It also noted that the government had begun work to extend the duty to report to independent schools and intended to regulate care in residential special schools, with an implementation date to be agreed, while updating boarding school standards was not mentioned (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Jul 2022).
Register of public liability insurers
The Chair and Panel recommend that the Association of British Insurers (ABI) considers whether a register of public liability insurers could be introduced to assist claimants in child sexual abuse cases in locating the insurers relevant to their claim, and how it would operate. The Chair and Panel recommend that the ABI sets out its consideration of the issue and the conclusions it has reached in a written update within 12 months of the publication of this report.
The Inquiry asked the Association of British Insurers to consider a public liability register. In an update archived in October 2022, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse reported that the association formally responded in April 2019, raising questions about the merits of such a register and the challenges of its introduction (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). It noted that this response was referred to in its Accountability and Reparations Investigation report and at an investigation hearing in November 2019 (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022).
Revised damages guidelines for CSA cases
The Judicial College should revise its Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases to include a freestanding section on the damages that may be appropriate in cases of child sexual abuse. This new section of the guidelines should advise the court to take into account the nature and severity of the abuse itself, any short-term and long-term physical, emotional and psychiatric or psychological injuries, and the general effect of the abuse on the claimant's capacity to function throughout their life. The latter may include the ability to sustain personal and sexual relationships, to benefit from education and to undertake paid employment.
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse reported in October 2022 that the Judicial College informed it that a revised edition of its Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases was published on 11 April 2022 (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). The Inquiry noted in October 2022 that, according to the college, the new edition includes a section on sexual abuse incorporating factors such as the nature and duration of the abuse, physical and psychological effects, and the effect on personal and sexual relationships (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022).
Metropolitan Police investigation into Lambeth Council
The Metropolitan Police Service should consider whether there are grounds for a criminal investigation into Lambeth Council's actions when providing information to the coroner about the circumstances surrounding LA-A2's death.
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse reported in December 2023 that the Metropolitan Police Service announced in July 2021 that it would assess whether there were grounds for a criminal investigation into Lambeth Council's actions (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Dec 2023). It noted in December 2023 that the force had received the recommendation and would examine the information provided to the coroner regarding the circumstances surrounding LA-A2's death (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Dec 2023).
Access to records for former child migrants
We therefore recommend that that all institutions which sent children abroad as part of the child migration programmes should ensure that they have robust systems in place for retaining and preserving any remaining records that may contain information about individual child migrants, and should provide easy access to them.
The Inquiry asked child migration institutions to preserve records and provide easy access. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, summarising responses of January 2020 on a webpage archived in June 2022, reported that Barnardos maintains a records service and had begun processing archive boxes to improve cataloguing and storage (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Jun 2022). It also reported that organisations including Action for Children and the Prince’s Trust provide former child migrants with access to their records free of charge (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Jun 2022).
Review CSA support services expenditure (Wales)
The Chair and Panel recommend that the Welsh Government and the relevant UK government departments work together to establish current levels of public expenditure, and the effectiveness of that expenditure on services for child victims and adult survivors of child sexual abuse in Wales.
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse reported in October 2022 that the Welsh Government stated in February 2022 that it had obtained public expenditure for support services to victims and survivors of child sexual abuse in Wales, and had asked the National Independent Safeguarding Board for Wales to verify the sums and effectiveness of spend (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). The inquiry also recorded in October 2022 that the government had fully accepted the recommendation in December 2018 (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022).
Rehabilitation code for CSA civil claims
The International Underwriting Association of London should take the lead in the production of a code for the benefit of claimants who are bringing civil claims for child sexual abuse. The aim should be to produce a code, comparable to the Rehabilitation Code or for inclusion in that code, with the objective of ensuring that victims and survivors of child sexual abuse are able to access the therapy and support they need as soon as possible.
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse reported in October 2022 that the International Underwriting Association of London stated in April 2022 that work to source engaged survivors had resulted in challenges affecting the progression of the project (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). The association had previously stated in December 2021 that it agreed to fund survivor engagement through The Survivors Trust and hoped to finalise a draft rehabilitation code following those meetings, after establishing a working party in December 2020 to develop the code (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022).
Church funding policy for victim support
The Church of England and the Church in Wales should each introduce a Church-wide policy on the funding and provision of support to victims and survivors of child sexual abuse concerning clergy, Church officers or those with some connection to the Church. The policy should clearly set out the circumstances in which different types of support, including counselling, should be offered. It should make clear that support should always be offered as quickly as possible, taking into account the needs of the victim over time. The policy should take account of the views of victims and survivors. It should be mandatory for the policy to be implemented across all dioceses.
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse reported in October 2022 that the Archbishops' Council of the Church of England provided an update in February 2022 regarding its Interim Support Scheme for immediate help to victims and survivors, alongside plans for a national redress scheme (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). It also recorded that the Church had stated in March 2021 that its victim support policy was being revised to establish minimum levels of therapeutic support across church bodies, with implementation effective in January 2022 (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022).
Apologies to former child migrants
As we have set out in the institution-specific sections of the report, some institutions have still not apologised for their role in the child migration programmes. We recommend that they do so, as soon as possible. We recommend that they make such apologies not only through public statements but specifically to those child migrants for whose migration they were responsible.
In June 2022, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse recorded that multiple child migration institutions, including Barnardo's, Action for Children, the Church of England, and the Catholic Church in England and Wales, had published apologies for their roles in child migration (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Jun 2022). The Inquiry noted that while several organisations provided personal apologies, Father Hudson’s Care had not reached as many former migrants as it wished due to outdated contact details (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Jun 2022). The Inquiry further recorded that the Children’s Society decided against proactively tracing individuals to issue apologies, choosing instead to respond to people who make direct contact (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Jun 2022).
CICA same roof rule reapplication
The Chair and Panel recommend that the Ministry of Justice revises CICA rules so that all applicants who previously applied for compensation in relation to child sexual abuse - but were refused solely due to the 'same-roof' rule - should be entitled to reapply for compensation and have their claim approved by CICA.
The recommendation asks the Ministry of Justice to let refused same roof applicants reapply. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, summarising a June 2019 UK Government response on an archived web page from October 2022, reported that the government abolished the pre-1979 same roof rule within the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). That summary did not mention whether individuals refused compensation under the rule can reapply or have claims approved by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022).
Ratify Lanzarote Convention
The Chair and Panel recommend that the UK government ratifies the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (the 'Lanzarote Convention') without further delay. They also recommend that ratification is followed, again without further delay, by action to implement the Lanzarote Convention. The Chair and Panel recommend that the Home Office, as the lead UK government department, publishes the timetable for ratifying the Lanzarote Convention and taking any additional steps required to make the UK fully compliant by June 2018.
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, summarising the response of the UK Government of 20 June 2018 on its recommendations page for the interim report as archived in October 2022, recorded that the government ratified the Lanzarote Convention on that date (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022). The record holds no update since the Inquiry's summary of October 2022 (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Oct 2022).