The Home Secretary’s plans to push through a law requiring professionals working with young people to report child sexual abuse must be “properly funded and resourced” before being implemented, sector leaders have said.

James Cleverley has announced plans to implement a legal requirement for anyone in regulated activity relating to children in England to report if they know a child is being sexually abused, following a key recommendation from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA).

Those who don’t report concerns face being barred from working with young people, with people who actively protect abusers facing up to seven years in prison.

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The police would also be given greater powers to stop registered sex offenders from changing their name if they think they still pose a risk, under the plans.