Care safeguarding systems
Absence of effective systems to protect people from abuse and avoidable harm, including failures in reporting suspected abuse.
282 items
1 source
9 inquiries
Source spread
Where this theme appears
Care safeguarding systems has been flagged across 1 independent accountability source:
282 inquiry recs
This theme has been identified in one data source. As more data is added, cross-references may emerge.
Browse by source
Source-grouped records are useful for tracing where a concern came from. Large sections show the 50 strongest matches for that source; counts still show the full theme total.
Inquiry Recommendations (282) — showing 50 strongest matches
FR-20 — Age Verification Online
Recommendation: The Inquiry recommends (as originally stated in its The Internet Investigation Report, dated March 2020) that the UK government introduces legislation requiring providers of online services and social media platforms to implement more stringent age verification measures.
Gov response: We accept the need to protect children from harmful and age-inappropriate content. The Online Safety Bill requires all in-scope companies to assess whether their service is likely to be accessed by children and, if so, …
Accepted in Part
In progress
104 — High risk countries list for travel orders
Recommendation: The Home Office should bring forward legislation providing for the establishment and maintenance by the National Crime Agency of a list of countries where children are considered to be at high risk of sexual abuse and exploitation from overseas offenders. …
Gov response: On 21 January 2021, the Home Office confirmed that it would bring forward the necessary legislation to give effect to this recommendation when parliamentary time allows. The Home Office stated that it had commissioned the …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
103 — Ratify Lanzarote Convention
Recommendation: 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 …
Gov response: On 20 June 2018, the UK government ratified the Lanzarote Convention.
Accepted
FR-12 — Pre-screening by Internet Providers
Recommendation: The Inquiry recommends that the UK government makes it mandatory for all regulated providers of search services and user-to-user services to pre-screen for known child sexual abuse material.
Gov response: We accept the need to hold companies to account for removing, reporting and limiting the spread of child sexual abuse material on their services. The UK’s world- leading Online Safety Bill will address this by …
Accepted in Part
In progress
70 — Include clergy in position of trust definition
Recommendation: The government should amend Section 21 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 so as to include clergy within the definition of a position of trust. This would criminalise under s16-s20 sexual activity between clergy and a person aged 16-18, over …
Gov response: On 9 March 2021, the Ministry of Justice and Home Office stated that the government would introduce the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill. The Bill sought to extend the definition of a 'position of …
Accepted
FR-11 — Extend Disclosure Regime Overseas
Recommendation: The Inquiry recommends (as originally stated in its Children Outside the United Kingdom Phase 2 Investigation Report, dated January 2020) that the UK government introduces legislation permitting the Disclosure and Barring Service to provide enhanced certificates with barred list checks …
Gov response: We accept the need to review whether disclosure arrangements can be further strengthened for those working with children overseas, and we will consider the scope of further strengthening the regime, taking into account the findings …
Accepted in Part
No update 2+ yrs
FR-10 — Improve DBS Referral Compliance
Recommendation: The Inquiry recommends that the UK government takes steps to improve compliance by regulated activity providers with their statutory duty to refer concerns about the suitability of individuals to work with children to the Disclosure and Barring Service, including: all …
Gov response: We accept the need to improve compliance with statutory duties to inform the Disclosure and Barring Service about individuals who may pose a risk of harm to children. We will work with the relevant bodies …
Accepted in Part
No update 2+ yrs
FR-9 — Greater Use of DBS
Recommendation: The Inquiry recommends that the UK government enables any person engaging an individual to work or volunteer with children on a frequent basis to check whether or not they have been barred by the Disclosure and Barring Service from working …
Gov response: We accept subject to further assessment of feasibility and impact, taking into account the findings of the Bailey Review of Disclosure and Barring Regime published in April 2023.
Accepted in Part
In progress
64 — Welsh independent school standards update
Recommendation: 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 …
Gov response: On 30 June 2022, the Welsh Government stated that it will amend and strengthen the independent school regulations, and that work is ongoing to draft the legislation. The Welsh Government also stated that it will …
Accepted
63 — Extend TRA jurisdiction to teaching assistants
Recommendation: 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 …
Gov response: On 30 June 2022, the UK government stated that anyone undertaking teaching work can be referred to the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) and this could include teaching assistants and learning support staff. The TRA does …
Accepted in Part
62 — Schools notify inspectorate of DBS referrals
Recommendation: 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 …
Gov response: On 30 June 2022, the UK government stated that it was cautious about creating a reporting mechanism that only related to the Disclosure and Barring Service and Teaching Regulation Agency when its position in Keeping …
Accepted in Part
No update 2+ yrs
59 — National LADO standards
Recommendation: The Department for Education and the Welsh Government should: introduce a set of national standards for local authority designated officers in England and in Wales to promote consistency; and clarify in statutory guidance that the local authority designated officer can …
Gov response: On 30 June 2022, the UK government stated that it was considering the scope and timetable for a review of the statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children. It stated that it will consider revised …
Accepted in Part
No update 2+ yrs
58 — Residential schools inspection and guardians registration
Recommendation: 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 …
Gov response: On 30 June 2022, the UK government stated that it was still of the view that the best way to protect children in residential special schools was to strengthen the National Minimum Standards (NMS), and …
Accepted in Part
No update 2+ yrs
56 — Update CSE guidance with network information
Recommendation: The Department for Education should review and publish an updated version of its guidance on child sexual exploitation. The update should specify that the core element of the definition of child sexual exploitation is that a child was controlled, coerced, …
Gov response: On 30 June 2022, the UK government provided the Inquiry with its provisional response to this recommendation. The UK government stated its final response to this recommendation would be provided within six months of the …
Accepted in Part
No update 2+ yrs
55 — Religious organisation child protection policies
Recommendation: 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 …
Gov response: Between January and March 2022, Methodist Church, Triratna Buddhist Order and Community and United Reformed Church stated that they had updated their safeguarding policies and practices, and The Baptist Union for Great Britain stated that …
Accepted
54 — Lambeth foster carer vetting review
Recommendation: Lambeth Council should review the application of recruitment and vetting procedures for all current foster carers directly provided by Lambeth Council, to ensure that the procedures have been followed correctly. In addition, Lambeth Council should seek assurances from external agencies …
Gov response: On 15 December 2021, Lambeth Council stated that staff working with children, councillors and foster carers had appropriate and up-to-date Disclosure and Barring Service certificates. It also stated that it would implement an online Disclosure …
Accepted
51 — Review Catholic safeguarding policies manual
Recommendation: 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.
Gov response: In November 2021, the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency website was launched. It contains the National Safeguarding Standards, the National Safeguarding Policy, and practice guidance documents.
Accepted
50 — Independent validation of Catholic audit programme
Recommendation: 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.
Gov response: On 30 September 2021, the Catholic Council for the Inquiry stated that the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) Board is committed to the independent verification of its audit processes, and would undertake a formal process …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
49 — Catholic non-compliance framework
Recommendation: 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 …
Gov response: On 30 September 2021, the Catholic Council for the Inquiry stated that the trustee bodies of all Catholic dioceses and religious orders were invited to subscribe to the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency. The Catholic Safeguarding …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
47 — Catholic lead clergy for safeguarding
Recommendation: The Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales and the Conference of Religious in England and in Wales should each nominate a lead member of the clergy for safeguarding to provide leadership and oversight on safeguarding matters to their respective …
Gov response: On 30 April 2021, the Catholic Council for the Inquiry stated that the role description for the Lead Bishop for the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales was approved and Bishop Paul Mason was …
Accepted
46 — Church independent external safeguarding audits
Recommendation: 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. …
Gov response: On 29 March 2021, a joint response from the National Safeguarding Steering Group, the House of Bishops and the Archbishops' Council stated that it remained committed to their programme of five-yearly independent audits. The joint …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
45 — Local diocesan information sharing protocols
Recommendation: 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.
Gov response: On 29 March 2021, a joint response from the National Safeguarding Steering Group, the House of Bishops and the Archbishops' Council stated that it would develop template information-sharing agreements which may be adapted and used …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
44 — Church of England/Wales information sharing protocol
Recommendation: 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.
Gov response: On 24 June 2021, the Church of England announced that the updated version of the House of Bishops' handling of Clergy Personal Files policy covers data sharing between the Church of England and the Church …
Accepted
43 — Church in Wales record-keeping policies
Recommendation: 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 …
Gov response: On 7 April 2021, the Church in Wales stated that its national online safeguarding case management and record-keeping system had launched, serving as a single searchable repository of all Church in Wales safeguarding and whistleblowing …
Accepted
42 — Church in Wales provincial safeguarding officers
Recommendation: 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 …
Gov response: On 7 April 2021, the Church in Wales stated that its safeguarding policy, procedural documents and training materials would make it clear that the operational advice of provincial safeguarding officers should be followed by all …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
41 — Create diocesan safeguarding officers
Recommendation: 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, …
Gov response: On 29 March 2021, a joint response from the National Safeguarding Steering Group, the House of Bishops and the Archbishops' Council stated that Canon C30 and the associated Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor Regulations would be amended …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
39 — Political party safeguarding policies
Recommendation: All political parties registered with the Electoral Commission in England and in Wales must ensure that they have a comprehensive safeguarding policy. All political parties must also ensure that they have procedures to accompany their policies, in order that politicians, …
Gov response: On 3 July 2020, the Electoral Commission stated that given the statutory scope of its remit, introducing a requirement that the Commission should monitor and oversee compliance of the safeguarding policies of political parties would …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
38 — Government department safeguarding policy reviews
Recommendation: The Cabinet Office must ensure that each government department reviews its child safeguarding policy or policies in light of the expert witness report of Professor Thoburn. There must also be published procedures to accompany their policies, in order that staff …
Gov response: On 18 September 2020, the UK government confirmed that all government departments were aware of Professor Thoburn's report. It also stated that Civil Service HR had launched a model safeguarding policy and 'Health Check' process, …
Accepted
37 — Westminster whistleblowing policies for CSA
Recommendation: Government, political parties and other Westminster institutions must have whistleblowing policies and procedures which cover child sexual abuse and exploitation. Every employee must be aware that they can raise any concerns using these policies and that the policies are not …
Gov response: On 18 September 2020, the UK government confirmed that all government departments have whistleblowing policies in place. It confirmed that Civil Service HR has a model policy to support departments in ensuring their policies are …
Accepted
35 — Mandatory DBS for work with children overseas
Recommendation: The Home Office should introduce legislation making it mandatory for: 1. all UK nationals and residents of England and Wales to provide a prospective employer overseas with an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service certificate before undertaking work with children overseas …
Gov response: On 21 January 2021, the Home Office stated that although part 1 of this recommendation envisaged placing the legal obligation of providing overseas employers with an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service certificate on UK nationals, …
Not Accepted
34 — DBS certificates for overseas work
Recommendation: The Home Office should introduce legislation permitting the Disclosure and Barring Service to provide enhanced certificates to UK nationals and residents of England and Wales applying for: 1. work or volunteering with UK-based organisations, where the recruitment decision is taken …
Gov response: On 21 January 2021, the Home Office stated that the UK government would continue to work with ACRO to publicise the existence of the International Child Protection Certificate, and to improve employers' understanding of the …
Not Accepted
33 — Assessment of potential risks posed by foster carers and residential care staff
Recommendation: 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 …
Gov response: Nottingham City Council: On 20 December 2021, Nottingham City Council stated that an internal fostering review was complete. External assurance of the review was also complete. The review concluded that no further referrals were required …
Accepted
32 — Send internal safeguarding reviews to national body
Recommendation: 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).
Gov response: On 27 June 2019, the Church of England stated that its National Safeguarding Team would liaise with the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel to ensure that 'the right cases' are reported to them in accordance …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
30 — Amend Canon C30 on safeguarding due regard
Recommendation: The Church of England should amend the current canon requiring clerics to comply with the Bishop's Guidance on Safeguarding. The use of the words 'due regard' in Canon C30 is an acceptable term of art, but lacks sufficient clarity. Very …
Gov response: On 26 April 2021, the General Synod approved the Safeguarding (Code of Practice) Measure which strengthens and clarifies the obligation to follow safeguarding guidance. The statutory code replaces the existing duty to have 'due regard' …
Accepted
29 — Church of England religious communities safeguarding
Recommendation: 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 …
Gov response: On 27 June 2019, the National Safeguarding Steering Group stated that the General Synod would be asked to give final approval to amending Canon 40. The National Safeguarding Steering Group stated that the amendment inserts …
Accepted
25 — Amendment of Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
Recommendation: The Chair and Panel recommend that the Home Office ensures that the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 is amended so that, where a fitness to practise hearing has been conducted by the keeper of a relevant register and has resulted …
Gov response: The DBS is in the process of establishing single points of contact at a strategic level with all Keepers of Registers and Supervisory Authorities. By the end of August, the DBS will have had meetings …
Not Accepted
23 — National chaperone policy for healthcare (Wales)
Recommendation: 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 …
Gov response: On 6 January 2020, the Welsh Government published guidance for health boards and trusts in respect of good working practice for the use of chaperones during intimate examinations or procedures within NHS Wales.
Accepted
22 — National chaperone policy for healthcare (England)
Recommendation: The Chair and Panel recommend that the Department of Health and Social Care 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 the Care …
Gov response: DHSC fully supports the use of chaperones for children, young people and adults at risk. DHSC will seek assurance from NHS England and CQC that the relevant organisations have chaperone protocols in place to safeguard …
Accepted
FR-6 — Amend Children Act 1989
Recommendation: The Inquiry recommends that the UK government amends the Children Act 1989 so that, in any case where a court is satisfied that there is reasonable cause to believe that a child who is in the care of a local …
Gov response: We accept the absolute need for children and young people to have their voices heard, raise concerns and challenge any aspect of their care, including where they may be experiencing or at risk of serious …
Accepted in Part
No update 2+ yrs
FR-5 — Prohibit Pain Compliance Techniques
Recommendation: The Inquiry recommends (as originally stated in its Sexual Abuse of Children in Custodial Institutions: 2009-2017 Investigation Report, dated February 2019) that the UK government prohibits the use of any technique that deliberately induces pain (previously referred to by the …
Gov response: It is essential that staff are equipped to keep children safe in custodial institutions. That is why they must be trained in the use of safe pain-inducing techniques for scenarios where they may need to …
Not Accepted
18 — Joint MoJ/DfE policy for children in custody
Recommendation: 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 …
Gov response: On 23 July 2019, the Ministry of Justice stated that it has joint working relationships with the Department for Education on secure children's homes, safeguarding and establishing secure schools. It stated that it aims to …
Not Accepted
17 — Prohibit pain compliance techniques
Recommendation: 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 …
Gov response: On 18 June 2020, the Ministry of Justice published the Charlie Taylor review of pain-inducing techniques in the youth secure estate. The review recommended that the Minimising and Managing Physical Restraint (MMPR) programme should be …
Not Accepted
16 — Review mixed justice/welfare placement risk
Recommendation: The Chair and Panel recommend that the Department for Education and the Youth Custody Service conduct a full review of the practice of placing children for justice and welfare reasons together in secure children's homes to establish whether it increases …
Gov response: On 7 May 2021, the Department for Education published its review of placement practices in secure children's homes. It concluded that the practice of placing children in mixed justice and welfare homes does not create …
Accepted
11 — Ban CSE-risk children from semi-independent placements
Recommendation: The Department for Education should ban the placement in semi-independent and independent settings of children aged 16 and 17 who have experienced, or are at heightened risk of experiencing, sexual exploitation. This should be implemented without delay.
Gov response: On 30 June 2022, the UK government provided the Inquiry with its provisional response to this recommendation. The UK government stated its final response to this recommendation would be provided within six months of the …
Accepted in Part
No update 2+ yrs
10 — Publish enhanced Child Exploitation Disruption Toolkit
Recommendation: As referenced in its Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Strategy, the government should publish an enhanced version of its Child Exploitation Disruption Toolkit as soon as possible. This Toolkit must: specify that the core element of the definition of child sexual …
Gov response: On 30 June 2022, the UK government provided the Inquiry with its provisional response to this recommendation. The UK government stated its final response to this recommendation would be provided within six months of the …
Accepted in Part
No update 2+ yrs
8 — Expand Ofsted powers for unregistered settings
Recommendation: 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 …
Gov response: On 2 March 2022, the UK government stated that in 2020 it had consulted to legislate to amend the registration requirements for independent education settings. It confirmed that it had considered responses to the consultation …
Accepted in Part
No update 2+ yrs
5 — Reform Church of England clergy discipline for safeguarding
Recommendation: 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) …
Gov response: On 29 March 2021, a joint response from the National Safeguarding Steering Group, the House of Bishops and the Archbishops' Council endorsed the proposals of the Clergy Discipline Measure working group to replace Clergy Discipline …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
4 — National plan for overseas CSA by UK nationals
Recommendation: The Home Office should coordinate the development of a national plan of action addressing child sexual abuse and exploitation overseas by UK nationals and residents of England and Wales, involving input from all lead governmental agencies in the field.
Gov response: On 21 January 2021, the Home Office confirmed that it would implement this recommendation as part of the UK government's Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Strategy. The strategy sets out the government's national plan of action …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
R74 — Staffing review in safeguarding investigations
Recommendation: Consideration of staffing (including skill mix as well as total numbers) should be a mandatory part of safeguarding investigations in all settings.
Response Pending
R68 — Cumulative risk assessment across protection plans
Recommendation: Protection plans should include an assessment of risks arising from the plan itself. Where multiple protection plans are in place for vulnerable adults within a single unit, cumulative risks arising from those individual protection plans across all residents must also …
Response Pending