The UK Government has announced proposals to establish a new Child Protection Authority (CPA) to reform and strengthen child safeguarding policies. 

The CPA is intended to provide national oversight rather than replace frontline services. Its role is to set clear standards and ensure accountability across local authorities, health services and law enforcement. The CPA will focus on tackling some of the most serious threats to children, including sexual exploitation, domestic abuse, trafficking and organised crime networks.

Government ministers are increasingly recognising the extent of safeguarding issues, highlighting the urgent need for reform. Recent examples include the case of Sara Sharif, a ten year old girl murdered by her father and stepmother, alongside continued exposure of long-term grooming gangs and a rise in child trafficking. The National Audit on Group Based Child Sexual Exploitation, updated in January 2026, confirms that group-based exploitation remains widespread. Police data also shows that in 2024 there were 1,623 suspects linked to grooming gang offending. As part of its initial response, the government has launched a consultation seeking input from professionals, survivors and families of victims. The consultation includes proposals for mandatory reporting and stronger obligations when sharing safeguarding information.

These reforms could have significant implications for both legal and safeguarding professionals. Greater national coordination may lead to new reporting duties, revised protocols for handling risk and increased safeguarding scrutiny. Organisations involved in child protection will need to assess how these changes affect compliance and risk management. In both public and private family law proceedings, practitioners may see shifts in how safeguarding concerns are identified and addressed.

Overall, the success of the CPA will depend on its ability to effectively integrate with existing systems while contributing new solutions. Whether a national authority can achieve the necessary reforms remains uncertain. However, these proposals represent a significant step towards addressing systemic weaknesses and prioritising child safety. The coming months will be crucial in determining how these reforms are implemented and whether they lead to meaningful and lasting improvements in child safeguarding.

The consultation is open until 5 March 2026.