Recommendation FR-3: Cabinet-Level Minister for Children
From The Report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, published 20 October 2022.
Recommendation
The Inquiry recommends that the UK government creates a cabinet-level ministerial position for children. The Inquiry recommends that the Welsh Government ensures that there is cabinet-level ministerial responsibility for children.
In brief (written by this site)
In January 2026, Josh MacAlister, a Minister answering for the Department for Education, stated that the Secretary of State for Education is the Cabinet minister for children and that a Keeping Children Safe ministerial board has been established to drive cross-government focus on children's wellbeing, safety and opportunity (Josh MacAlister, Jan 2026). Earlier, in May 2024, the Thirlwall Inquiry legal team found that a Child Protection Ministerial Group had been established previously and that the work might come under that body (The Thirlwall Inquiry legal team, May 2024).
AI-generated summary of the record on this page, checked by a second model and automatic checks, 26 Sep 2026. The record below is the sources' own words.
Government response
We accept the importance of placing the best interests of the child front and centre in policy and decision making at the highest level of Government. This role is already fulfilled through the work of the Secretary of State for Education.
Delivery
Department for Education says in progress (29 January 2026)
In April 2025, the government published its Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Progress Update, which responded to each of the 20 recommendations form the final report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. The government agrees with the importance of having a clear focus on children across government, including at Cabinet level. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, is the Cabinet minister for children and a Keeping Children Safe ministerial board has been established to drive and mainstream the strong collective cross-government focus on children’s wellbeing, safety and opportunity. This will bring together ministers from the government departments with a key role on issues affecting children.
UK Government says in progress (9 April 2025)
The Government agrees with the importance of having a clear focus on children across Government, including at Cabinet level. The Secretary of State for Education is the Cabinet minister for children. A new Keeping Children Safe ministerial board will also drive and mainstream the strong collective cross- Government focus on children’s wellbeing, safety and opportunity. This will bring together Ministers from the Government departments with a key role on issues affecting children.
From: Tackling child sexual abuse: progress update (accessible version)
What other bodies have found
In their own words. These do not change the delivery statement above.
Thirlwall Inquiry legal team (15 May 2024)
Government response to final report (25 May 2023): Accepted. “We accept the importance of placing the best interests of the child front … This role is already fulfilled through the work of the Secretary of State for Education.”
A Child Protection Ministerial Group has been established previously and the work may come under this body.
Site note: The Thirlwall Inquiry legal team's own notes on implementation, from its Review of Implementation of Recommendations from Previous Inquiries into Healthcare Issues (version of 15 May 2024). The review does not colour its Extent of Implementation cell for this recommendation green; it leaves the cell uncoloured where a recommendation was rejected, where evidence of implementation was insufficient, or where steps had been taken but implementation was not yet complete. Table row: section 31.2 No. 3, PDF page 856-857.
Source
Responsible bodies
Themes and tags
Who has spoken
- UK Government
Response, delivery statement - Department for Education
Delivery statement - Thirlwall Inquiry legal team
Finding