She believes that pilot studies should be carried out to provide this evidence and that children’s views should be taken into account.
‘We strongly believe pilots should be undertaken to gather evidence because there must be sound justification for not proceeding with a requirement on professionals to report abuse,’ she said.
The Government’s current position on the issue is that existing statutory guidance is clear that professionals should refer immediately to social care when they are concerned about a child. It has also highlighted evidence from other countries that suggests mandatory reporting does not make children any safer.
Ms Atkinson said, ‘We recognise that there are arguments in support of, and against, mandatory reporting but also that it is not a straightforward matter to interpret findings from other countries that already have such provisions in place. It cannot be seen as a panacea as so much depends on the quality of assessment and the response from professionals.
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