FR-2 Response Accepted in Part AI-assessed

Child Protection Authorities

Recommendation

The Inquiry recommends that the UK government establishes a Child Protection Authority for England and the Welsh Government establishes a Child Protection Authority for Wales. Each Authority's purpose should be to: improve practice in child protection; provide advice and make recommendations to government in relation to child protection policy and reform to improve child protection; and inspect institutions and settings as it considers necessary and proportionate. The Child Protection Authorities in England and in Wales should also monitor the implementation of the Inquiry's recommendations.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to the Gov.uk progress update (8 April 2025), the government is creating a Child Protection Authority (CPA) in England, evolving from the national Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel, and a consultation on the CPA's roadmap ran from December 2025 to February 2026, with the Panel receiving increased resources in 2025/26 for analytical capacity and material development. According to Professor Alexis Jay (Home Affairs Select Committee, 21 January 2025), none of IICSA's final recommendations had been implemented as of December 2024.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 19 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
Jurisdiction
England
Section Reference
K.2
Response
Accepted in Part
Accepted in Part UK Government
22 May 2023

We accept the need for a stronger safeguarding system. We will ensure the relevant actions included within our reform programme, Stable Homes, Built on Love, fulfil this recommendation.

Read Full Response
Progress Timeline
Official Report
31 Jan 2026

Government launched formal consultation on establishing Child Protection Authority in England on 11 December 2025. Consultation closes 5 March 2026, with response expected summer 2026. CPA to be set up in shadow form pending primary legislation.

Source
Official Report
08 Apr 2025

Creating Child Protection Authority in England, building from Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel. Resource increase for Panel in 2025/26, consultation on CPA roadmap in 2025, with full CPA implementation timeframe to be determined.

Source
Published Evidence

Published assessments of implementation progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Check the source type badge to see whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.

No Meaningful Progress
21 Jan 2025
Home Affairs Select Committee Select Committee

Professor Alexis Jay told Home Affairs Committee that £187m was spent on IICSA and "to date none of its final recommendations had been implemented." Called for "full implementation" saying "get it done."

View detailed findings

As of December 2024, none of the 20 final report recommendations had been implemented. The previous government's response was described by Prof Jay as "very weak and, at times, apparently disingenuous."

Home Affairs Committee hearing, 21 January 2025 View Source
Source
Inquiry IICSA
Report The Report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse 20 Oct 2022
View Source
Responsible Bodies
UK Government Primary
Themes & Tags
Child exploitation criminalisation Weak Government Accountability & Scrutiny Child Protection Institutional Reform Oversight
Recommendation age 3.4 yrs
Last formal update 31 Jan 2026