The government has unveiled plans for a new Child Protection Authority, as part of its strategy to protect children from predators and abuse.
According to officials , the proposal for a new public body will strengthen England’s child protection system by providing national oversight, ensuring that vulnerable children are not failed by the authorities who are supposed to protect them.
At present, intelligence on harms can be fragmented, data analysis patchy, and lessons from serious cases slow to translate into practice.
“Every child deserves to grow up safe”
Minister for Children and Families, Josh MacAlister said: “Every child deserves to grow up safe, and we owe it to victims and survivors to confront the problems that have allowed abuse and exploitation to go unchecked. “The creation of a Child Protection Authority is a key part of our response to the massive failings which have been exposed by the grooming gangs scandal and by horrifying child protection cases like that of Sara Sharif”.
The Children and Families Minister added that the government is taking broad action to build a more expert, decisive and focused child protection system.
Meanwhile, Alexis Jay, author of the IICSA report, said:”I am pleased to see the publication of this consultation on the establishment of the Child Protection Authority.
“These proposals are a positive step in the implementation of the second recommendation in my final report and reflect detailed discussions with ministers and officials. I look forward to continuing to work with the department in the design of this new national body to help keep children safe.
“I would encourage anyone with an interest in child protection to respond”.
Sir David Holmes CBE, Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel chair, weighed in.
He said: “Every child deserves to grow up safe from harm, abuse, and neglect. The Panel’s work is driven by this principle. That’s why we support the Government’s decision to establish a Child Protection Authority in England — a significant step forward in creating a clearer, more unified child protection system.
“The Child Protection Authority will absorb and build on the foundations laid by our Panel, ensuring that national learning from serious incidents translates into practical improvements that frontline professionals can implement. This is an opportunity to deliver a system that is even more evidence-based, collaborative, and focused on outcomes for children. We will work closely with government, safeguarding partners, and practitioners to shape this new authority and ensure it reflects the voices of those who work tirelessly to protect children every day.
“We urge everyone who works with children to respond to the consultation so together we can build a system that puts children first”.
Similarly, The Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse, welcomes the government’s progress in implementing IICSA’s recommendations.
They maintain that the number of children supported through a child protection plan due to concerns of child sexual abuse has fallen from 25% to an all-time low of 3.5% in the last 30 years, so today’s publication of new, more detailed data, is a welcome first step in better understanding the reasons for that startling decline.
Better data and analysis will also enhance the CSA Centre’s implementation of evidence-based resources into practice, including our Response Pathway, with initiatives such as our practice leads programme, so we can support professionals to better identify and respond to concerns of child sexual abuse.
“Sits alongside independent inquiry into grooming gangs”
Every child deserves the right to grow safe
The announcement comes alongside a broad package of measures being introduced through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which will ensure that agencies responsible for looking after children are working together closely and sharing relevant information, to get frontline expertise to where it’s needed and ensure no child falls through the cracks.
According to the statement published on 11th December 2026, it also sits alongside the Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs announced by the Home Secretary this week. Chaired by Baroness Anne Longfield, the inquiry will examine the actions of the police, councils, social services and other agencies, both locally and nationally, making sure any wrongdoing or cover-ups are brought to light and holding those responsible to account – backed by £65 million of funding.
The Child Protection Authority delivers on a key recommendation from IICSA’s report and problems identified by the Casey Audit into group-based child sexual exploitation.
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