Child Protection Authorities
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.
- The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill was introduced in the House of Lords in December 2024, including provisions on multi-agency child protection (Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, December 2024).
- No published Child Protection Authority for England or Wales as recommended has been established to March 2026.
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted in Part
Response
Accepted in PartWe 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.
Progress Timeline
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.
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.
Published Evidence
Published assessments of progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Source type badge indicates whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.
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."