Consultations
We work with the governments of the four nations of the UK, and central government to ensure our member's thoughts and feelings are represented. We input into specific policy decisions and we use our knowledge and experience in faith-based safeguarding to help the government's decision-making.
Current Consultations:
Establishing the Child Protection Authority in England
What is the consultation for?
The consultation is to offer feedback to the Department of Education on the establishment of the Child Protection Authority (CPA), a national body to improve child protection in England.
When does the consultation close?
The consultation closes on 5th of March 2026.
What is the benefit to Thirtyone:eight members?
The proposed Child Protection Authority (CPA) will be a national body to improve child protection. It is recommended that the Child Protection Authority (CPA) will improve practice in child protection, provide advice and make recommendations to government in relation to child protection policy and reform to improve child protection; inspect institutions and settings as it considers necessary. It is likely that the work of the scope of and the work of Child Protection Authority (CPA) will directly impact on safeguarding in settings that you will be operating in.
From this consultation, the Department for Education will begin considering the scope and role of the Child Protection Authority that may affect your organisation in your context. It would therefore be helpful to your organisation if you respond to this consultation with your views and experiences so that these can be taken into consideration at this early stage.
It is also important that the experience of faith communities is highlighted so that the Department for Education can be equipped to understand the challenges and the nuances for us in this context.
What can people do to get involved?
You can access relevant documents here.
A New Victims’ Code Consultation
What is the consultation for?
The consultation is to offer feedback to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) on the proposed updates to The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime in England and Wales (Victims' Code).
When does the consultation close?
The consultation closes on the 30th of April 2026.
What is the benefit to Thirtyone:eight members?
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) recommended that in order to strengthen child protection, the UK Government should arrange for a joint inspection of compliance with the Victims’ Code (which sets out the minimum level of service to be provided by the criminal justice system for Victims and Survivors of child sexual abuse).
The Government have released a consultation reviewing the Victims’ Code. This is significant as; the Victims’ Code is the minimum level of service to be provided by the criminal justice system for Victims and Survivors of child sexual abuse. The outcome of this consultation may therefore affect those Victims and Survivor’s in your context and shape their experiences of the criminal justice system.
It is also important that the experience of faith communities is highlighted so that the Ministry for Justice (MoJ) can be equipped to understand the challenges and the nuances for Victims and Survivors in this context.
What can people do to get involved?
Keeping children safe in education: proposed revisions 2026
What is the consultation for?
The consultation is to offer feedback to the Department of Education on the proposed revisions to the Keeping Children Safe in Education (KSCIE) statutory guidance.
When does the consultation close?
The consultation closes on 22nd of April.
What is the benefit to Thirtyone:eight members?
Keeping Children Safe in Education (KSCIE) is statutory guidance that schools and colleges in England must have regard to when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. It is essential that everybody working in a school or college understands their safeguarding responsibilities.
This consultation is relevant to any Thirtyone:eight members who operate in or interact with schools and colleges in England as the updates made to the statutory guidance will directly impact safeguarding responsibilities and expectations across these settings.
It is also important that the experience of faith communities is highlighted so that the Department for Education can be equipped to understand the challenges and the nuances for us in this context.
What can people do to get involved?
Previous Consultations:
Safeguarding in Out-of-schools setting (OOSS)
This consultation is now closed
What is the consultation for?
The consultation is to offer feedback to the Department of Education on proposed options for safeguarding in Out-of-School Settings (OOSS). These options include the potential of regulation, registration, accreditation schemes and equipping parents and children on safeguarding.
When does the consultation close?
The consultation closes on 21st September 2025.
What is the benefit to Thirtyone:eight members?
Many of us will be operating Out-of-School Settings (OOSS) such as Sunday School, holiday camps, supplementary schools and youth groups. This is your opportunity to provide your on the ground insights on safeguarding in these settings to the Department for Education.
From this consultation, the Department for Education will begin considering legislation, practice guidance and responses for Out-of-School Settings (OOSS) that may affect your organisation in your context. It would therefore be helpful to your organisation if you respond to this consultation with your views and experiences so that these can be taken into consideration at this early stage.
It is also important that the experience of faith communities is highlighted so that the Department for Education can be equipped to understand the challenges and the nuances for us in this context.
What can people do to get involved?
You can access relevant documents here.
National strategy for preventing and responding to child sexual abuse (Wales)
This consultation is now closed
What is the consultation for?
The consultation is to offer feedback on the Welsh Government’s national strategy for preventing and responding to child sexual abuse for the next 10 years (between 2025-2035). The key focuses of the strategy are preventing child sexual abuse, protecting children and young people when there are concerns about child sexual abuse, supporting children and their families and supporting adult victim-survivors.
When does the consultation close?
The consultation closes on 8th October 2025.
What is the benefit to Thirtyone:eight members?
Many of us will be aware of children and adults in our contexts who have been sexually abused and will be trying to support them through disclosure, reporting and getting appropriate support. It is positive that the Welsh Government have committed to a national strategy for preventing and responding to child sexual abuse to prevent and protect children and young people, support their families and adult victims-survivors.
From this strategy, the Welsh Government will begin considering legislation, practice guidance and responses to child sexual abuse and these changes may affect your organisation in your context. It would therefore be helpful to your organisation if you respond to this consultation with your views and experiences so that these can be taken into consideration at this early stage. It is also important that the experience of faith communities is highlighted so that the Welsh Government can be equipped to understand the challenges and the nuances for us in this context.
What can people do to get involved?
