Failure to report child abuse could become a criminal offence
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Early years’ workers could be prosecuted if they fail to report their suspicions of child abuse or neglect to local authorities.
By Catherine Gaunt
Under plans put out in a joint consultation, the Department for Education and the Home Office are considering whether to make it a new legal duty for certain groups, professionals and organisations to report and take appropriate action when they know or suspect that a child is suffering, or is at risk of suffering, abuse or neglect.
The scope of either new duty could extend to organisations or practitioners working in education, childcare, social care, healthcare and law enforcement.
In the early years’ sector this could include early years’ teachers, nursery staff and childminders.
It could also extend to support staff and administrators, including school secretaries and caretakers.
The consultation is part of wide-ranging reforms that the Government is carrying out of the child protection system in the wake of high-profile abuse cases ...
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