The NSPCC announced an alleged change of position on Mandatory Reporting on the Radio 4 Today programme. This was widely misreported as James of O’Brien of LBC discovered when he interviewed MandateNow just three hours later. Unfortunately the NGO did not issue a contemporaneous press release which merely contributed to the disorder :
Baroness Walmsley secured a debate on Child and Vulnerable Adult abuse the scale of which is understandably causing political anxiety. The Lord Bishop of Durham also spoke indicating his desire for for new legislation.
MandateNow interview with BBC Radio London on the need for Mandatory Reporting following the release of the Department of Health report into the activities of Savile authored by Kate Lampard (Leeds General Infirmary and Broadmoor).
The Department of Health released the Lampard review into the activities of Savile at Leeds General Infirmary and Broadmoor. Tom was invited to comment on child (and vulnerable adult) protection in these settings which it is claimed is much improved:
In the Queens Speech debate Baroness Walmsley (Lib Dem) said “We have recently seen reports in the media of suspicions of sweeping under the carpet and covering up historic child abuse “ Lady Walmsley is the Parliamentary Ambassador of the NSPCC which remains firmly against Mandatory Reporting in Regulated Activities (28.08.14.): http://www.theyworkforyou.com/lords/?gid=2014-06-09a.154.0
In the Address debate following the opening of Parliament Cheryl Gillan MP (C) spoke of the need to introduce Mandatory Reporting and the work of MandateNow. “Since 1950, the reporting of suspected and known abuse of a child by a member of staff at a school or location of a similar regulated activity has been entirely discretionary. Despite legislation in 2002, nothing has changed” : http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debate/?id=2014-06-04a.62.0
Having met Mr Gove on 27th February 14 and presented the case for Mandatory Reporting, Tom returned to Portcullis House and met with Tom Watson MP to discuss the importance of this legislation to a functioning child (and vulnerable adult) protection system.
Seven weeks later in topical questions to the Secretary of State for Education, Tom Watson asked about research into mandatory reporting which elicited a very positive reply from Mr Gove about the principle of mandatory reporting in Regulated Activities.
You can see Mr Gove’s reply here and this Times article appeared following their exchange in the House.
Tom Watson MP, a supporter of Mandatory Reporting in Regulated Activities, made a statement in the House about the appalling safeguarding failures at Stanbridge Earls School in Hampshire and asked: “Will Ministers now urgently consider adequate research into the funding of mandatory reporting in regulated settings?”
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2014-03-24b.17.0#g18.3
Mr Gove replied: “I have had the opportunity, in a different context, to talk to one victim of abuse who, I have to say, made a compelling case for mandatory reporting in a regulated setting.”
On the 25th March the St Pauls + Colet Court child abuse case was reported in the Times and this article which you can read in full here, accompanied the piece.
Just a few days after the sentencing of Peter Wright, the former Headmaster of Caldicott School, at Amersham Crown Court on 6/2/14, Cheryl Gillan MP secures a meeting between Tom and the Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove. Hansard: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2014-02-10b.555.5#g560.6
Cheryl Gillan MP Chesham + Amersham and a signatory to our petition asked Mr Gove the following question:
‘The Secretary of State will be aware of the sentence handed out in Amersham Crown court last week to the former head teacher of the Caldicott preparatory school after years of abuse of children in his care. Will the Secretary of State join me in paying tribute to my constituent Mr Tom Perry, who was brave enough to speak out about his own abuse? Will he agree to meet Mr Perry and me to discuss the possibility of mandatory reporting, as Mr Perry believes it would better protect our children in the future?’ Mr Gove’s reply is in the link: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2014-02-10b.555.5#g560.6
The meeting with the Secretary of State occurred just 17 days later at the Department of Education.