I started the Campaign for Daniel’s Law in August 2013, in shock and horror at the suffering four-year-old Daniel Pelka endured over an extended period of time – in spite of the fact that he was in regular contact with professional staff, with a ‘duty of care’ for his well-being.

Within weeks, I had secured 50,000 signatures in support of the mandatory reporting of child abuse by professional staff and I travelled to London on September 16th to deliver my petition to Downing Street, one day ahead of the publication of Daniel’s Serious Case Review. Although some warned me against anticipating the content of that important report, I was absolutely convinced that the failure of school staff to help Daniel would be highlighted i.e. their repeated failure to report Daniel’s countless visible injuries and his painful emaciation over a period of months.

On September 17th, the findings of Daniel’s Serious Case […]

There has been much media coverage of recent statistics on reports of child neglect and abuse – the NSPCC says that cases like Daniel’s have heightened public awareness and therefore the likelihood of adult intervention, which is extremely encouraging. There is also talk of introducing a ‘Cinderella’s Law’ which will make it a crime for parents to emotionally neglect their children. Whilst this is clearly well-intentioned and indicative of a growing commitment to child well-being, it is difficult to imagine how it might be enforced and all the more frustrating when we are still without mandatory reporting of child abuse in regulated activities – tangible legislation which will help protect children suffering abuse both at home and in regulated settings like nurseries, schools and care homes, by requiring staff with a professional ‘duty of care’ to report. This legislation is already in place and working effectively in many other countries […]

The Campaign for Daniel’s Law achieved a significant breakthrough yesterday. Following more allegations of sexual abuse by staff at leading prep schools, Labour MP Tom Watson once again urged government to reconsider mandatory reporting by way of the following question to Michael Gove in Parliament ‘Will Ministers now urgently consider adequate research into the funding of mandatory reporting in regulated settings?’

This time, Mr Gove surprised everyone with his response as follows ‘I have been concerned that this might cause more work for Children’s Services Departments than it would generate safety for children… however, the specific case for mandatory reporting in regulated settings is one we are actively considering’ – watch online at 46.30.

Pressure has been mounting on the government for months to give due consideration to mandatory reporting – continued pressure from the Campaign for Daniel’s Law has been punctuated with many high profile cases including those around Jimmy Savile, Caldicott […]