Government has responded to the Mandatory Reporting Consultation

The mandatory reporting duty will, first and foremost, be a safeguarding measure.

It will ensure that the words of children and young people who are seeking help are heard. It sets high standards of conduct and provides reporters with clear instructions on how to act when they are made aware of child sexual abuse. A report made under the duty is simply that – sharing information with the appropriate agencies, who can consider it further and take appropriate action to safeguard and support the child involved where necessary.

We have not attached criminal penalties to the failures under the reporting duty, considering referrals to the Disclosure and Barring Service (and professional regulators where applicable) to be a more appropriate outcome. However, the reporting duty itself is accompanied by tough, punitive measures for anyone who seeks to cover up abuse.

An individual who seeks to obstruct a reporter from carrying out their duty to report will face the prospect of up to seven years imprisonment. As we implement the introduction of the duty, we will continue to deliver the work outlined in the Government’s Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Strategy; ensuring professionals working with children have the skills and information they need to recognise and respond appropriately to all forms of child sexual abuse.

Please see the full publised document here