Preparing for the Mandatory Reporting Duty 2026: What You Need to Know

The mandatory reporting duty in the Crime and Policing Bill 2025 introduces a major change to safeguarding law. This duty requires professionals who work with children to report known or suspected child sexual abuse. Early years practitioners and tutors need a clear understanding of the duty so they can prepare for implementation in 2026.

Purpose of the Mandatory Reporting Duty

The government created the mandatory reporting duty to strengthen safeguarding and ensure that professionals take prompt action when concerns arise. The NSPCC states that the duty aims to reduce under reporting, increase transparency and support timely protection for children. The duty also promotes a consistent national approach and places accountability on those who work directly with children.

Legislative Context: The Crime and Policing Bill 2025

The Crime and Policing Bill 2025 includes several measures that aim to protect vulnerable people and improve the national response to crime. By placing the mandatory reporting duty within this legislation, the government aligns safeguarding expectations with wider criminal justice priorities. This structure supports a more coordinated and effective response to child sexual abuse.

Who Must Comply

The duty applies to anyone who carries out regulated activity with children in England. This group includes early years practitioners, tutors, childminders, nursery and pre school staff and volunteers who work directly with children. Each person who works in regulated activity must follow the duty and report concerns when they meet the required threshold.

What Practitioners Must Report

A practitioner must report child sexual abuse when they:

• Receive a disclosure from a child or from another person

• Witness the abuse directly

• See or hear images, videos or audio that contain child sexual abuse

These three triggers offer a clear threshold and remove earlier uncertainty about what professionals must report. The legislation may include limited exemptions, such as cases involving older children or situations where confidentiality protects the child’s welfare. These exemptions will follow strict criteria.

Consequences of Not Meeting the Duty

Individuals who choose not to report concerns may face significant consequences. The Disclosure and Barring Service can assess whether the person should continue working with children. The Crime and Policing Bill 2025 also creates a criminal offence for anyone who blocks or attempts to block a report. These measures highlight the importance of full compliance and a strong safeguarding culture.

Timeliness and Accurate Records

Practitioners must report concerns as soon as they become aware of them. Any delay increases the risk to the child and undermines the duty. Settings need to ensure that staff know how to recognise concerns, take immediate action and contact the correct safeguarding partners. Clear, factual records support referrals and ensure smooth communication with external agencies.

Training, Preparation and Setting Readiness

Settings should begin preparing now for implementation. Leaders can support readiness by updating safeguarding training, reviewing procedures and refining induction and supervision processes. Tutors also play a key role by helping learners understand the duty and build the confidence to follow it in practice.

Leadership teams should review policies, reporting pathways and communication systems to ensure full organisational readiness. Early preparation strengthens safeguarding practice and supports a smooth transition when the duty comes into force.

The NSPCC have a free recorded webinar available to watch. Access it here.

The mandatory reporting duty, introduced through the Crime and Policing Bill 2025, marks a major step forward in improving the protection of children from sexual abuse. For early years practitioners, preparing for this duty is not only a legal requirement but also an integral part of our professional responsibility. By taking action now, we can ensure that our settings are equipped to meet the new standards with confidence and a shared commitment to safeguarding children.