Source: Department of Education published on this website Tuesday 7 July 2026 by Jill Powell

Detail of outcome

Respondents showed strong support for a Child Protection Authority (CPA) in England. The government will use the findings to inform the CPA’s future role, functions and powers, including its ability to:

• identify emerging risks
• strengthen the use of data and evidence
• support workforce development
• address serious and persistent failings

Consultation on establishing a Child Protection Authority: analysis of responses

Establishing a Child Protection Authority in England: government consultation response

Source: Metropolitan Police published on this website Thursday 2 July 2026 by Jill Powell

Investigators have appealed for other potential victim-survivors to come forward

A former foster carer from Walthamstow has been sentenced to 31 years in prison, having been convicted in May of numerous non-recent sexual offences against children. The conviction came after an extensive Met investigation, with specialist officers supporting the brave victim-survivors who reported him.

Bradley Dilsworth, 69 of Phoenix Close, Walthamstow, was convicted of 22 counts of child sex offending on Thursday, 21 May at Snaresbrook Crown Court. His convictions relate to offences committed against five victims, one of whom was as young as seven at the time.

Bradley Dilsworth’s offending spanned over several years between 2002 and 2009, during which those he preyed on were aged between seven and 16. Evidence presented in court showed that he repeatedly exploited his position as a trusted adult within the Walthamstow community, presenting himself as a friendly and approachable neighbour.

The court heard that Dilsworth would invite children into his home after school, allowing them to smoke and drink alcohol. This environment was deliberately used to lower their inhibitions and create opportunities for abuse.

One stand-out aspect of the case involved Dilsworth’s manipulation of one victim, who believed she was in a genuine relationship with him. She was just 13 when she met Dilsworth and it was only when she was much older that she came to understand she had been a victim.

Another offence was committed against a girl aged just seven who was staying at Dilsworth’s house with her parents at the time.

As part of his defence, Dilsworth claimed that the children who spent time at his home were visiting his son, who was of a similar age to them. However, this explanation was rejected by the jury, who found the evidence demonstrated a clear pattern of grooming and abuse.

Prior to his offending Dilsworth was a registered foster carer and is known to have fostered two children during the 1980s.

Detective Inspector James Rush, who led the investigation, said:

“I would like to thank the victims in this case for the immense courage they have shown in coming forward to report the abuse they suffered.

“Undetected for years, Dilsworth was able to abuse children in what my team uncovered to be a hellish afterschool club, lulling young people into a false sense of security and exploiting their trust. For the victim-survivors, speaking about their experiences many years later is incredibly difficult, and their bravery has been crucial in securing this long sentence today.

“I hope this outcome provides some comfort to anyone affected by sexual abuse and sends a clear message that the Met will continue to pursue offenders and seek justice, no matter how long ago abuse occurred.”

Met detectives launched an investigation after a victim bravely came forward to police to tell their story in November 2023.

After conducting in-depth interviews with this victim and others, officers first arrested Dilsworth in November 2024. He was charged with a long list of non-recent sexual offences in April 2025 after investigators worked tirelessly to build a case against him. When arrested, Dilsworth was still living in the same house where his offending had taken place.

As the investigation progressed, detectives traced two further victims who hadn’t come forward previously. These victims made further reports and Dilsworth was ultimately charged with offences against them too.

As part of their investigation, detectives searched Dilsworth’s home in Walthamstow and uncovered an “Aladdin’s cave” of electrical devices. Over 100 digital exhibits were seized, including hard drives, discs and USB devices. Internal CCTV footage from cameras positioned around the house was also recovered. These devices revealed years of offending, with devices showing indecent images of one of the victims. During interviews with police, victims provided detailed floor plans of the property that closely matched the layout of the house, further corroborating their accounts.

To protect the integrity of ongoing legal proceedings after Bradley Dilsworth was first charged with offences, detectives have not been able to publicly appeal for further potential victim-survivors until now.

The Metropolitan Police Service is now asking anyone who thinks they may have been a victim of Dilsworth to come forward and speak with police.

Specialist officers work closely with victim-survivors to seek justice and are available to offer support and signpost to external partners, so they can get help.

Officers are keeping an open mind about the identities of unidentified victim-survivors, but are particularly keen to hear from women who attended school in Walthamstow or recognise Dilsworth from his days as a foster carer, builder or lorry driver.

Victim-survivors may have visited Dilsworth at his house on Phoenix Close, Walthamstow, or prior addresses in Grove Green Road, Leyton, Bulwer Court Road, Leytonstone, or Roberts Road, Walthamstow.

Detective Inspector James Rush added: 

“We are determined to support all victim-survivors and are now asking anyone who believes they may have concerns about Dilsworth to please come forward. I want to reassure anyone impacted that you are not alone and can seek specialist support and guidance, not only from the police, but also from independent charities and services.”

Anyone with information or looking to report a potential crime is asked to contact the Metropolitan Police on 101, quoting CAD 5076/25JUN26. Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Source: Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) published on this website Monday 6 July 2026 by Jill Powell

The first victims of rape have seen cases continue following second review as a pioneering pilot reaches the one-year mark – the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has said.

The CPS and the Solicitor General (SG) have announced the pilot will be rolled out nationally across all 14 CPS Areas from next week, to support high-quality decision making in some of the most serious cases.

The existing CPS’s Victims’ Right to Review (VRR) scheme allows victims to challenge decisions not to bring or to stop a prosecution.

If a case is stopped in court by prosecutors offering no evidence, it cannot legally be restarted. That is because of the legal framework in England and Wales.

But under a first-of-its-kind CPS pilot, rape victims are told in advance if their case might be stopped – giving them the chance to request a review before that happens.

Under the Early VRR pilot, victims of rape whose cases are eligible are told in advance if their case might be stopped. They can request a review before that happens.

This means that if a second prosecutor concludes the case should continue, it can still proceed.

Siobhan Blake, National CPS Lead for Rape and Serious Sexual Offences, said:

“For survivors of rape and sexual offences, the possibility their abuser may never face justice can be deeply distressing.

“Victims must have confidence that every decision is made with care and expertise. Our specialist prosecutors usually get it right first time, but when we don’t – and a case that could have continued is stopped – an apology alone cannot feel like justice.  

“Some victims in the pilot have told us that simply having this option makes a positive difference, and two cases continuing shows the impact it can have.

“Expanding the pilot will help us better understand how to support victims and ensure the right decisions are made.”

The CPS has also published research today on how other similar jurisdictions work in comparison to England and Wales. The research done by the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law was commissioned to consider the power the CPS has to ‘discontinue’ cases in England and Wales, rather than officially stopping them in court. ‘Discontinuing’ cases allows them to be restarted where there is a good reason to do so – such as VRR or more evidence becoming available.

The VRR pilot works within the current jurisdiction, with cases in which the CPS would be offering no evidence in court.

The expansion of the Early VRR pilot will give prosecutors more evidence towards its final evaluation, which is already showing benefits for victims and supporting high-quality decision-making in some of the most challenging cases.

Most decisions to offer no evidence are upheld after a victim asks for a review – both in the pilot and as part of the normal VRR scheme. But occasionally, under the current VRR scheme, in some cases, a prosecution that could have continued may be stopped.

Across the four pilot Areas — West Midlands, North West, Yorkshire and Humberside, and Cymru-Wales — 28 victims were offered a review.

Fourteen requested a review. Twelve decisions were upheld, and two were overturned, allowing those cases to continue. They are now awaiting trial.

What is the pilot?

Criminal cases can be stopped at any point if prosecutors decide there is no longer a realistic prospect of conviction. If that decision is made after a case has progressed beyond a certain point, the CPS must offer no evidence in court, resulting in an acquittal.

Under the existing VRR scheme, victims can already request a review of certain decisions not to start or to stop a prosecution. However, if the case is stopped in court through ‘offering no evidence’, nothing further can be done even if the second prosecutor disagrees: the only remedy is an apology.

The Early VRR pilot changes this.

RASSO victims will now be told when a provisional decision is made to offer no evidence. They are given the opportunity to ask for a second prosecutor to review the evidence before that decision is approved.

If the second prosecutor considers that the two-stage test in the Code for Crown Prosecutors is met, the prosecution proceeds. 

Source: Department for Education published on this website Tuesday 23 June 2026 by Jill Powell

Parents will have greater peace of mind as more surprise Ofsted visits, stronger checks and faster action help keep children safe in nurseries. 

Over £8 million a year will give Ofsted the tools to better identify and investigate settings - including 3,000 additional unannounced visits to identify risks early and act quickly. This will give parents assurance that safeguarding across the system is upheld to the highest possible standards.  

Tripling the number of unannounced Ofsted visits compared with the year to April 2025 will mean that issues needing urgent attention can be acted on rapidly, ensuring children are kept safe. 

Funding will pay for more face-to-face interviews where appropriate before providers open, strengthening checks so every setting meets safeguarding expectations from day one. 

The new funding will also include paying for rapid upgrades to Ofsted computer systems already underway, ensuring risk assessments are supported by state-of-the-art technology. Inspectors will have access to real-time updates to help them intervene more quickly. 

Together, these measures give Ofsted the tools to strengthen safeguarding from the moment a provider applies to operate, through every stage of inspection and oversight, so that every child can get the very best start in life. 

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:

 “Nothing matters more than keeping children safe. Parents should be able to trust that when they leave their child at a nursery, they are in safe hands. “This investment means more surprise Ofsted visits, stronger checks, and faster action where there are concerns – so risks are spotted early and dealt with quickly. Early education gives children the best start in life, and we are making sure it is backed by the high standards of care and protection families expect.”  

They build on wider action to improve safeguarding across early years settings, including stronger whistleblowing protections so staff and parents can raise concerns safely and confidently - and that every concern is treated seriously and acted upon without delay. 

An independent expert panel is also examining the use of digital devices and CCTV in childcare settings, with ministers committed to publishing its findings and considering all recommendations. 

The government is also working with Ofsted to review how nursery chains are regulated, to better identify and address risks across groups of providers. 

These reforms sit alongside wider investment in early years, including expanding childcare support for working families and strengthening the workforce – helping ensure every child gets a safe, high-quality start. 

Katie Meehan, mother of Genevieve ‘Gigi’ Meehan, said:

“This announcement is another landmark step in strengthening safeguarding for our youngest children. This has been one of the core goals of Gigi’s campaign and we are thrilled with this development. Nothing will ever bring Gigi back but her legacy continues to grow and we couldn’t be prouder of what has been achieved in her name.”