STORY
The Government has announced plans to create a new Child Protection Authority in England as part of a wider overhaul of how vulnerable children are safeguarded. The proposal, published by the Department for Education, sets out a public consultation on establishing a national body intended to provide stronger leadership, clearer oversight and greater consistency in child protection practice across the country.
Ministers said the new authority is designed to address long standing weaknesses in the current multi agency system, where information can be fragmented and lessons from serious cases are not always acted upon. The reforms draw on recommendations from recent independent reviews into child exploitation and abuse, with the aim of ensuring vulnerable children are less likely to slip through the gaps between agencies.
Under the plans, the Child Protection Authority would lead on national practice standards, improve data analysis, identify emerging threats and drive accountability across local authorities, social care, health, education and other statutory bodies. Officials say it will work alongside existing safeguarding partners rather than replace them, acting as a central hub for leadership and coordination.
The consultation invites views from professionals, families, charities and survivors on how the authority should operate, how it should be governed and how it should interact with current safeguarding arrangements. The Government says the new body will form a key part of its wider reforms, which include measures in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill aimed at improving information sharing and collaboration across public services.