College responds to consultation on child safeguarding

Summary

We have commented on a proposed mandatory reporting duty of child sexual abuse and that a breach of this duty should constitute a criminal offence. Our profession is already fully committed to safeguard children and has very clear professional duties and guidance requiring them to act on concerns about child abuse. Practitioners are required to repeat mandatory training on safeguarding on a regular cycle and The College offers training for pre-registration trainees. We believe that introducing a mandatory reporting duty and a new criminal offense would not improve compliance among our sector professionals who already act to protect children.

Find out more about the consultation

Further information

• Guidance for Professional Practice: Safeguarding children and adults at risk
• Safeguarding training for pre-registration trainees
• Ethical scenario: Safeguarding
• DOCET training: Safeguarding Children for Optometrists
• Home Office consultation: Mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse