Parliamentarians from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Safeguarding in Faith Communities have launched a new inquiry to improve the protection for children in faith settings.
In a call for evidence, parliamentarians are asking all stakeholders involved in the delivery of safeguarding and work with children in faith communities to share their experiences with the inquiry.
The inquiry will specifically examine the understanding and application of the current definition of regulated activity (Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012) in England and Wales. Through the inquiry, the group seeks to assess the strengths, weaknesses, and areas of risk related to the existing definition, and to identify any gaps, loopholes, or complexities it may create for faith communities and organisations.
The APPG has called for written evidence from any interested stakeholders and seeks to gather responses from as broad a spectrum of faith settings as possible. The inquiry was launched at a meeting in Parliament on 14 April 2026 and is taking evidence through several methods including a questionnaire, written submissions and in-person hearings. The deadline for submissions will run until Friday 10 July 2026.
The full scope and terms of reference for the inquiry can be found here.
The APPG’s investigation will conclude with a published report including recommendations aimed at improving and strengthening the definition and associated guidance around the definition of regulated activity to better protect children in all faith settings.
Ruth Jones MP, Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Safeguarding in Faith Communities said:
"I am pleased to be able to formally announce this new inquiry to be held by the APPG for Safeguarding in Faith Communities. We will be looking at the understanding and application of the definition of regulated activity with children for faith communities over the next 12 months.
During this time, we will be taking written and oral evidence from a number of sources, and I would encourage anyone with relevant information to take part in the consultation. We want to hear from as many people as possible to ensure the final report is as detailed as possible and any recommendations are workable and robust."
Speaking at the launch of the inquiry in Westminster, Peter Wright, lead for the secretariat to the APPG said:
“To date, there has been limited research, data, and formal scrutiny of how the regulated activity definition operates in practice within faith communities. As the APPG on safeguarding for faith communities, we feel we are uniquely placed to provide some of that crucial information.
This inquiry is intended to fill that gap by providing both quantitative and qualitative evidence to ensure that discussions with Government about key legislation such as the proposed mandatory reporting duty are grounded in and informed by the experience and voice of faith communities.”
Find out more about the inquiry and submit evidence here.