Safeguarding provisions in the Crime and Policing Bill

The Crime and Policing Bill has been introduced in Parliament, with its second reading on 10 March.

The Bill introduces a new statutory duty for individuals undertaking key roles with responsibility for children and young people in England to report sexual abuse when they are made aware of it, and a new criminal offence for attempting to prevent someone reporting child sexual abuse.

The Bill provides for a limited number of exceptions to the duty to report, which include those providing specified services that relate to the safety or wellbeing of children and where confidentiality is in the best interests of children – these will be set out in regulations.

The Bill also proposes that adults working in regulated activity under supervision will be eligible for enhanced DBS checks, so charities whose work involves delivering regulated activities should be aware of these proposals and be ready to update their recruitment policies and procedures, as well as considering their approach for existing employees and volunteers going forward.