Southport Inquiry

Phase 2 should consider what single agency or structure should be appointed or established to record, monitor and co-ordinate interventions for children and young people who present a high risk of serious harm. This must be matched with cultural change so that agencies are prepared to own and manage risk appropriately not just refer it on to others.

The Inquiry asked Phase 2 to consider establishing a single agency for high-risk children. In an April 2026 press release, Stephanie Roberts-Bibby, Chief Executive of the Youth Justice Board, noted the recommendation for a lead agency to be considered in Phase 2 (Stephanie Roberts-Bibby, Apr 2026). She stated in April 2026 that the board fully supports clearer ownership of risk, adding that this must be reinforced by professional curiosity and responsibility (Stephanie Roberts-Bibby, Apr 2026).

Phase 2 should consider the development of a shared multi‑agency risk‑assessment tool that is clear, accessible and suitable for use across public sector services.

Phase 2 should consider whether there should be a further ability to restrict or monitor access to the internet on the part of children and young people, if a significant threshold is passed concerning the risk they pose to others.

The Department for Transport should require local authorities to ensure that all licensed taxi drivers have a clear duty promptly to report any significant criminal activity they witness while working. This duty should form part of mandatory training, and a failure to report such activity, subject to individual circumstances, should place the driver’s licence at risk. Local authorities should implement practical measures to ensure that drivers have read, understood and acknowledged this requirement.

In July 2026, HM Government stated that the Department for Transport expected to complete implementation by late 2027 through National Standards introduced by secondary legislation (Home Office response, Jul 2026). It reported that this legislation is expected to be laid in 2027 subject to public consultation, followed by familiarisation and adoption periods (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

The Department for Transport should ensure that local authorities establish effective arrangements between licensed taxi companies and schools. These should enable school safeguarding teams to access taxi booking information where relevant to a legitimate safeguarding or risk concern relating to a child who should be at school.

In July 2026, HM Government stated that the Department for Transport partially accepted the recommendation and expected to complete significant elements by mid-2027 (Home Office response, Jul 2026). It stated that the department would work with other bodies to develop guidance on sharing booking data by mid-2027 and bring forward a draft bill for pre-legislative scrutiny, though full delivery remains subject to future primary legislation when parliamentary time allows (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

All police forces should ensure that their policies, guidance and training address taking on a calculated degree of risk in recognition of the immediate need to protect the public from an obvious risk to life. This may involve the decision to deploy unarmed officers with caution.

In July 2026, HM Government stated that the police must lead activity to respond to the inquiry's policing recommendations due to their operational independence, noting that the Home Office had written to the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the College of Policing and would monitor delivery over the coming months while regular implementation reports are requested (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since HM Government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

All police forces that have not implemented a model providing immediate and direct support to Force Incident Managers, ideally through a second Force Incident Manager, should consider adopting such arrangements to strengthen decision‑making during critical incidents.

In July 2026, HM Government stated that the police must lead activity responding to recommendations made to policing bodies, and confirmed that the Home Office had written to the National Police Chiefs' Council and the College of Policing setting out the relevant measures (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The department noted in July 2026 that officials will work with both organisations over coming months to monitor delivery, while the Home Secretary will ask for regular progress reports on implementation (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

NHS England should review funding, and consider providing additional resources, to enable all emergency response ambulance staff to participate in appropriate training exercises.

In July 2026, HM Government stated that NHS England and the Department for Health and Social Care were assessing funding for ambulance staff training alongside operational implications including funded backfill, with work to define training and exercising standards still to be carried out before providing a further detailed update (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

North West Ambulance Service should review its procedures for declaring a Major Incident or Major Incident (Standby) to ensure clarity in how declarations are made and how they are communicated internally and to other emergency services.

In July 2026, HM Government accepted the recommendation, stating that while the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust should review its own procedures, major incident response should not be determined by one trust in isolation (Home Office response, Jul 2026). It explained in July 2026 that the Emergency Resilience Unit would work with ambulance trusts and partner organisations to standardise declaration procedures nationally (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

Merseyside Police and North West Ambulance Service should review the terminology used in their systems and procedures to ensure shared understanding and interoperability. The College of Policing and the National Ambulance Resilience Unit should undertake a national review to ensure that police and ambulance services across the country operate with consistent terminology and mutual understanding.

In July 2026, HM Government stated that this recommendation should sit with the Emergency Resilience Unit working alongside the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives, the College of Policing, and other partners to review and standardise terminology across sectors (Home Office response, Jul 2026). It noted that while local services should review their own procedures, a nationally consistent approach is required so that terminology supports interoperability rather than creating local variation (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

The Department for Education should update the out‑of‑school settings guidance by reviewing the health and safety section to ensure terminology is clear and consistent, particularly regarding emergency plans and fire/evacuation plans for smaller providers. The guidance should also be updated to include a non‑binding cross‑reference to school entrance security guidance, emphasising that while out-of-school settings may differ from schools in terms of what is necessary, appropriate or proportionate, providers should still consider appropriate entrance and exit security measures.

In July 2026, HM Government reported that the Department for Education accepted the recommendation and expected to complete implementation by late 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026). It stated that the department would review safeguarding policy and strengthen guidance on security, health and safety, and emergency planning following the publication of its response to the call for evidence on out-of-school settings (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

Phase 2 should consider systems to detect and report concerning online behaviour and suspicious combinations of purchases. This should include consideration of: 1. Concerning patterns of online browsing and purchasing (e.g. change of names and addresses, use of Virtual Private Networks). 2. Concerning purchases of dangerous but legal items (e.g. sledgehammers, bow and arrows and smoke grenades). 3. Concerning combinations of purchases (e.g. castor beans, alcohol and laboratory equipment).

Phase 2 was asked to evaluate systems detecting suspicious online activity and purchases. In July 2026, HM Government stated in a response presented to Parliament by the Home Secretary that the Chair will consider suspicious purchase combinations in Phase 2, noting that acquiring weapons and poisons involves stakeholders who could not be consulted during Phase 1 (Home Office response, Jul 2026). It added that further measures on crossbows and knives will also be considered, and that the Home Office will work with the Inquiry to review current legislation (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds nothing dated later than the response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

The Home Office’s ongoing review of the sale of castor beans should consider regulation of the number of castor beans that can be sold in a single transaction.

Dan Jarvis, Minister of State for Security, announced in September 2026 that the government intends to launch a six-week public consultation during the Conference Recess regarding proposed amendments to the Poisons Act 1972, seeking views on measures to strengthen public safety and national security (Dan Jarvis, Sep 2026). Earlier, HM Government stated in July 2026 that the Home Office completed the recommended review in May 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

Phase 2 should consider whether conventional archery bows should be subject to age‑verification prior to sale, delivery restrictions including ID checks, mandatory labelling for deliveries, and industry or trading standards to prevent the use of military‑style imagery in marketing.

Phase 2 should consider, in parallel with the government’s consultation where possible, a prohibition on the sale of crossbows, a licensing scheme similar to firearms, tighter controls on purchasing such as restricting sales to age‑verified in‑store transactions, and Trading Standards measures to prevent military‑style marketing.

The recommendation asks Phase 2 to consider crossbow prohibition, licensing, and tighter purchasing controls. In July 2026, HM Government stated that the Chair will consider further measures on crossbows and knives in Phase 2, and that the Home Office will work with the Southport Inquiry to identify further legislative issues (Home Office response, Jul 2026). It did not mention prohibition, a licensing scheme similar to firearms, age-verified in-store transactions, or Trading Standards measures in its July 2026 response (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds nothing dated later than the response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

The Home Office should provide clear guidance to all UK retailers of archery bows and crossbows on identifying and reporting suspicious behaviour, including underage purchasers or those who appear to be interested in criminal use of the equipment, and should consider placing retailers under defined obligations to report material suspicions.

In July 2026, HM Government accepted the recommendation, stating that the Home Office expects to complete implementation in early 2027 (Home Office response, Jul 2026). It explained that statutory guidance covering age verification for online crossbow sales and advice on reporting suspicious purchases will be introduced under the Crime and Policing Act 2026 following discussions with stakeholders and devolved administrations (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis should consider an investigation, with input from the Crown Prosecution Service if appropriate, as to whether Ageo Wholesale UK Ltd committed criminal offences in relation to how it marketed knives/machetes or sold them without required age verification or labelling.

HM Government stated in July 2026 that the police remain operationally independent and lead activity responding to recommendations addressed to policing bodies (Home Office response, Jul 2026). It noted that officials had written to the National Police Chiefs' Council and the College of Policing, and would monitor progress while requesting regular reports on implementation (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

The Home Office should take immediate action to ensure that online knife retailers are complying with the Knives Act 1997, particularly regarding the marketing of knives, machetes, swords and similar bladed articles.

In July 2026, HM Government stated that it expected to complete implementation in mid-2026, with next steps including issuing communications on the Knives Act 1997 to retailers and police forces, preparing refreshed guidance on bladed articles, and providing £1.75 million to establish a new National Knife Crime Centre (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the Home Office's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

Amazon should: 1. Improve its measures to prevent children from making purchases, including making the conditions of use and sale more prominent. 2. Improve the labelling on packaging of bladed articles so that the warning is more prominent. 3. Ensure drivers inform recipients whenever deliveries contain a bladed article (I recognise the closing statement on behalf of Amazon that this is in train). 4. Review its systems for recording details of the recipient to ensure that an accurate record of the recipient is obtained. 5. Audit its training of age verified deliveries for drivers, in particular for Amazon Flex drivers. This should include training on the labelling of packaging so that, where appropriate, delivery drivers know what they are delivering.

In July 2026, HM Government stated that it had written to all organisations outside central government responsible for delivering recommendations to highlight the inquiry findings (Home Office response, Jul 2026). It affirmed that it would work with these bodies to support delivery and report on progress alongside central government recommendations as far as possible (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

Phase 2 should consider further measures relating to knives/bladed items sales, including: 1. Restrictions on sharp‑tipped knives. 2. Prohibiting some online sales (such as machetes). 3. Strengthening online age‑verification and age verified delivery standards. 4. Mandatory reporting and information‑sharing about suspicious behaviour. 5. The risks surrounding importation of bladed items. 6. The risks surrounding multiple sub-contractors in a supply chain delivering bladed articles.

The recommendation asks Phase 2 to consider further measures on bladed item sales. In July 2026, HM Government stated that the Chair will consider in Phase 2 how to address suspicious combinations of purchases alongside further measures on crossbows and knives, adding that the Home Office will work with the Inquiry to examine issues within current legislation (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The response did not mention other measures named in the recommendation, including restrictions on sharp-tipped knives, online sales prohibitions, delivery standards, importation risks, or supply-chain subcontractors (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds nothing dated later than the response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

The Department for Education should review and strengthen its guidance to schools on monitoring and filtering systems, including ensuring that the systems used are appropriate and adequate from a technical perspective. The department should ensure schools understand these requirements and consider whether inspections by Ofsted should play a greater role in monitoring compliance.

In July 2026, HM Government reported that the Department for Education expects to complete implementation of the recommendation in mid-2027 (Home Office response, Jul 2026). It outlined next steps including proposed updates to Keeping Children Safe in Education for the 2026 to 2027 academic year, a 2026 consultation on a product certification scheme, and incorporating confirmation of annual checks into inspections from September 2027 (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

Lancashire County Council should undertake a comprehensive review of how its children’s services and Early Help teams (i.e. Children and Family Wellbeing Service) assess and manage risk and online harms to children. This review should ensure that all frontline staff have a consistent and up-to-date understanding of online risks, and that they have access to effective tools and guidance to identify and respond to these risks. It should specifically include consideration of the risks associated with the use of Virtual Private Networks, which can enable children to bypass the safeguards established under the Online Safety Act 2023. The Department of Health and Social Care should consider whether reforms to national guidance, policy or training are required.

The Inquiry recommended that Lancashire County Council review its online harm risk assessments. In July 2026, HM Government stated that the Department for Education had taken responsibility from the Department of Health and Social Care and expected to complete implementation by mid-2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026). In May 2026, the council stated that an independent review of risk management within children's services would be undertaken, though Virtual Private Networks were not mentioned (Lancashire County Council, May 2026). In an inspection report published in August 2026, Ofsted found that targeted training had strengthened safeguarding and increased staff understanding of online harm (Rachel Fairhurst, Aug 2026). Screen use guidance for parents of children aged 5 to 16 remains outstanding from the department (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology should consider extending the powers under the Online Safety Act 2023 to enable Senior Coroners to make a notification to Ofcom to obtain access to social media accounts of perpetrators (not just of a child who has died), and for statutory Inquiries to be able to make a notification to Ofcom to obtain access to the social media accounts of both a child who has died and also a perpetrator.

In July 2026, HM Government stated that the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology had initiated a review of existing powers available to Senior Coroners and statutory inquiries to identify potential gaps (Home Office response, Jul 2026). It noted that any decision on next steps would be subject to ministerial sign-off and parliamentary process if required (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

Phase 2 should consider age verification for the use of Virtual Private Network (VPN) software and other options to avoid VPNs being used to circumvent the age-related protections in the Online Safety Act 2023.

Lancashire Constabulary should consider extending Operation Encompass to share automatically relevant information with schools in bordering areas. The Department for Education should consider national implementation. This is because children will not necessarily attend school in the same police force area as they live.

In July 2026, HM Government accepted the recommendation, stating that statutory guidance already requires all 43 police forces to share domestic abuse notifications across borders under Operation Encompass (Home Office response, Jul 2026). It noted that the Department for Education expected to complete remaining work on other harm types by September 2026 through an information-sharing duty under the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

Lancashire Constabulary, and the College of Policing nationally, should ensure that forms and training emphasise the importance of recording, as precisely as possible, the words and behaviour of individuals who may pose a significant risk to others.

In July 2026, HM Government stated that the police lead activity to respond to policing recommendations because forces remain operationally independent (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The department noted that it had written to the National Police Chiefs' Council and the College of Policing setting out the relevant recommendations, and would work with policing over the coming months to monitor implementation (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

Lancashire Constabulary and Merseyside Police should review the effectiveness of their information‑sharing systems and consider whether a more robust process is required. Findings should be shared with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and College of Policing for consideration as to whether national level guidance is appropriate.

In July 2026, HM Government stated that the Home Office had written to the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the College of Policing setting out the recommendations, and that officials would monitor progress over coming months (Home Office response, Jul 2026). In the same July 2026 response, it noted that the Home Secretary would ask the council to report back regularly on implementation, expecting policing to consider how force-specific recommendations apply across the country (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

Lancashire Constabulary should ensure its training and systems address the risks associated with failing to record case information on police systems so it is readily available to others. The National Police Chiefs’ Council and College of Policing should consider whether further national guidance is required.

In July 2026, HM Government stated that the police would lead activity to respond to recommendations addressed to policing bodies, noting that it had written to the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the College of Policing (Home Office response, Jul 2026). It indicated that officials would work with policing over the coming months to monitor progress and that the Home Secretary would ask the council to report back regularly on key policing measures (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

Lancashire Constabulary should ensure its procedures and training sufficiently addresses the risks children and young people may pose to others and the options for addressing that risk. The College of Policing, with national partners, should review legislation and guidance on how police respond to children and young people who present a risk of serious harm to others.

In July 2026, HM Government stated that the police lead activity to respond to policing recommendations independently, adding that the Home Office had written to the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the College of Policing to set out the recommendations (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The department noted that it would work with policing over coming months to monitor progress, with regular reports requested on how key measures are implemented (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

1. Lancashire Constabulary should strengthen its autism spectrum disorder‑related training for new officers and through continuous development. 2. National policing bodies, with input from the Department of Health and Social Care, should consider whether reforms to guidance or training are required.

In July 2026, HM Government stated that options for improving police guidance and training had been provided to the National Police Chiefs' Council and the College of Policing (Home Office response, Jul 2026). It noted that this work will be led by national policing bodies, with the Department of Health and Social Care advising departments on aspects to consider and relevant experts (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

1. Lancashire Constabulary should ensure response officers have access to effective technology providing clear, essential case information. 2. The National Police Chiefs’ Council, College of Policing and Home Office should review whether current policing information systems, particularly the limitations on cross‑force access, are suitable for modern policing needs.

In July 2026, HM Government stated that the Home Office had completed the recommended review of policing information systems (Home Office response, Jul 2026). It reported that the legacy Police National Computer is due to be switched off this financial year, while completion of the Law Enforcement Data Service and initial delivery of the National Data Integration and Exploitation Service are expected by the end of 2026/27 (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

While training for Counter Terrorism Policing, staff involved in Prevent currently cover the importance of understanding a referred individual’s online activity and the practical steps required to assess it, the Home Office and Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters should review and strengthen this training to ensure that officers fully understand both the importance of investigating online activity and that where online behaviour is a factor in a referral, cases should not ordinarily be closed until proportionate steps have been taken to access and assess the individual’s online activity. Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters should ensure that this remains a consistent priority across all regions. Counter Terrorism Policing North West should review its own processes in this regard.

In July 2026, HM Government stated that the Home Office and Counter Terrorism Policing were reviewing mandatory Prevent training programmes to ensure they properly cover the assessment of online activity (Home Office response, Jul 2026). It noted that policy development, linked officer training, and a review of the Prevent Assessment Framework were underway, with training completion anticipated in autumn 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

Counter Terrorism Policing’s capability to access and analyse data relating to a referred person’s online activity should be reviewed in the context of Prevent referrals, to determine whether staff have the technical tools required to undertake this assessment. The Home Office and Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters should ensure this review is conducted.

HM Government stated in July 2026 that the Home Office and Counter Terrorism Policing were working together to deliver the recommendation, noting that the Prevent Assessment Framework introduced in 2025 requires recording online activity (Home Office response, Jul 2026). It added in July 2026 that evaluation of the framework remained ongoing and further updates on an expected completion date would be provided to the Inquiry (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters should review its neurodiversity training for Prevent practitioners (including, where appropriate, drawing in wider healthcare advice) to ensure that they sufficiently equip practitioners with a proper understanding of: 1. How autism may influence risk in the context of a Prevent referral. 2. The importance of timely referrals to the Clinical Consultancy Service to obtain advice on how neurodiversity, including autism, may affect the risks in any individual case. Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters should ensure that this remains a consistent priority across regions. Counter Terrorism Policing North West should review its own processes in this regard.

In July 2026, HM Government stated that findings from an internal strategic policy review of mental ill-health and neurodivergence in Prevent would complement work by Counter Terrorism Policing to build understanding of how autism may influence risk in a Prevent referral and the importance of obtaining advice from the Clinical Consultancy Service (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters should review and where necessary strengthen the training that Counter Terrorism officers involved in Prevent already receive to ensure that they understand the importance of balancing concern for an individual’s vulnerability with appropriate professional curiosity and awareness of disguised compliance. The training should: 1. Address cases involving children or individuals with mental health conditions or neurodivergence, where concern for vulnerability may obscure the potential for dangerousness; 2. Equip officers to test and verify accounts, including probing explanations when necessary and comparing accounts with other available evidence, including that provided by the referrer. Counter Terrorism Policing North West should review its own processes in this regard.

In July 2026, HM Government stated that the Home Office is supporting Counter Terrorism Policing to make changes regarding recommendation 35 (2), including developing new technical tools to assist officers with assessing the online activity and risk of individuals referred to Prevent (Home Office response, Jul 2026). It noted that an evaluation of the Prevent Assessment Framework is ongoing to consider further improvements (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters and the Home Office should assess and issue clear guidance on best practice for sharing appropriate information about closed Prevent referrals. This guidance should ensure that relevant professional agencies outside Counter Terrorism Policing, including local police and referring bodies, are notified of a closure and provided with relevant feedback, unless strong legal or other case specific risk grounds justify non-disclosure.

In July 2026, HM Government stated that Counter Terrorism Policing was scoping the legal implications of routinely sharing information about closed Prevent referrals (Home Office response, Jul 2026). In the same July 2026 response, it noted that joint work with the Home Office following the Below Thresholds Pilot would inform national minimum notification requirements, to be incorporated into updated Channel duty guidance due in autumn 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

Prevent Supervisors should receive improved role specific training, including training on supervising decisions to close Prevent referrals and ensuring that all outstanding actions have been completed. This may be achieved by work currently underway but the effectiveness of new training in this area should be audited.

HM Government stated in July 2026 that 27 inquiry recommendations require delivery by organisations outside central government (Home Office response, Jul 2026). It explained in July 2026 that it had written to all responsible organisations to highlight the inquiry's findings, pledging to work closely with them to facilitate delivery and report on progress as far as possible (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

Building on the Key Principles of Prevent issued on 23 February 2026, the Home Office should ensure that accessible information and appropriate training materials should be made available to organisations which are likely to make Prevent referrals (particularly those subject to the Prevent Duty) to strengthen understanding that a fixed ideology is not required for a referral to be made or accepted. The development of a Prevent practitioner portal should be prioritised.

In July 2026, HM Government stated that the Home Office expects to complete implementation of the recommendation by late 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The department reported that updates to guidance on the Key Principles of Prevent are being developed, and the Prevent Practitioner Portal is being tested before becoming fully operational in autumn 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

The Department for Education should update Working Together to Safeguard Children and the Children’s Social Care National Framework. These documents should highlight that safeguarding and child protection assessments, when considering what support to put in place and planned multi-agency working, must consider the risks posed by children to others.

In July 2026, HM Government accepted the recommendation and stated that the Department for Education expects to complete implementation by spring 2027 (Home Office response, Jul 2026). It reported that the department was consulting on updates to the statutory framework, with the findings intended to inform revisions to Working Together to Safeguard Children and the Children's Social Care National Framework (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

Lancashire County Council should ensure that by 13 October 2026 all its frontline staff have received suitable training, or refresher training, on Prevent.

Lancashire County Council stated in an appendix to its Cabinet report on the inquiry in May 2026 that delivery of the recommendation was in progress, reporting that Prevent training is mandatory for all its frontline staff and must be refreshed every two years (Lancashire County Council, May 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

Lancashire County Council should ensure that its arrangements for social workers provide appropriate support and supervision for family support workers handling Level 3 cases on the Continuum of Need.

HM Government stated in July 2026 that it had written to all organisations outside central government responsible for delivering recommendations to highlight the Inquiry's findings, adding that it would work closely with them to facilitate delivery and report on progress alongside recommendations for central government (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

Lancashire County Council should review its processes and training to ensure decisions regarding children and families are made on the basis of assessed need rather than inflexible criteria such as duration or ease of arranging services.

HM Government stated in July 2026 that it had written to all national, regional and local organisations responsible for delivering recommendations outside central government to highlight the inquiry's findings (Home Office response, Jul 2026). It stated that it will continue to work closely with these organisations to facilitate delivery, and will report as far as possible alongside progress on recommendations for central government (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

Lancashire County Council should ensure that its policies and training emphasise the significance of multiple referrals when considering the relevant risks relating to a child (including the risk to others).

Lancashire County Council has no response on record, but HM Government stated in July 2026 that it had written to all organisations outside central government responsible for delivering recommendations to highlight the inquiry's findings (Home Office response, Jul 2026). It added in July 2026 that it would continue working closely with these organisations to support delivery and report on progress alongside recommendations for central government as far as possible (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

1. Lancashire County Council should ensure that frontline staff are required to familiarise themselves with full case information, with this being embedded through training and performance review. 2. Lancashire County Council should review its IT systems to ensure that there are adequate mechanisms to bring all relevant information speedily to someone’s attention. The warning markers visible on the front page should include markers relevant to risk of harm to others and use of or access to weapons, as well as factors relating to risk of harm to a child. 3. Lancashire County Council should conduct sampling audits to monitor record‑keeping practices.

In July 2026, HM Government stated that it had written to all national, regional and local organisations responsible for delivering inquiry recommendations to highlight the inquiry findings (Home Office response, Jul 2026). It confirmed that it would work closely with these bodies outside central government to facilitate delivery, and would report as far as possible on their progress alongside central government recommendations (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

Lancashire County Council should ensure frontline staff receive appropriate training on autism spectrum disorder, emphasising that autism does not necessarily explain or excuse behaviour. The Department for Education should ensure this approach is applied nationally.

In July 2026, HM Government stated that this recommendation will be led by Lancashire County Council, while the Department for Education will consider the council's approach and how autism training could be disseminated nationally, supported by the Department of Health and Social Care advising on relevant experts and aspects to consider (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

1. Lancashire County Council should consider how to address repeated lack of consent or manipulation of consent within existing legislation. 2. Phase 2 should consider whether legal reforms are needed to permit agencies, when considering children and young people who pose a risk of violence to others, to override parental consent to share information, access a child or young person, or obtain information about their online activity.

Lancashire County Council has no response on the record, but HM Government stated in July 2026 that it had written to all organisations outside central government responsible for delivery to highlight the Inquiry's findings, adding that it would work closely with them to support delivery and report on progress alongside central government recommendations (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

Lancashire County Council, in consultation with the Youth Justice Board, should arrange for a comprehensive and independent audit to be undertaken of the Lancashire County Council Child and Youth Justice Service to report by 13 October 2026. This should include assurance that the service is holding young offenders to sufficient standards and boundaries in referral orders, and that interventions are focussed and appropriate.

Lancashire County Council stated in July 2026 that its child and youth justice service was progressing implementation of the inquiry's recommendations (Lancashire County Council, Jul 2026). It had reported in May 2026 that the screening and selection of independent auditors was underway to commission the audit in consultation with the Youth Justice Board (Lancashire County Council, May 2026). The record holds no update since HM Government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

1. Lancashire County Council should ensure that staff within Children and Family Wellbeing Service, and Children’s Social Care receive training on the services available through the Child and Youth Justice Service, including prior to any court or out of court disposals such as Prevention and Diversion. 2. Lancashire County Council should offer input on this topic to Lancashire Constabulary, Counter Terrorism Policing North West, and any relevant Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service.

The Inquiry asked Lancashire County Council to provide training on youth justice services. In July 2026, HM Government stated that it had written to all national, regional and local organisations responsible for delivery to highlight the findings of the Inquiry (Home Office response, Jul 2026). It noted that twenty-seven recommendations require delivery by bodies sitting outside central government (Home Office response, Jul 2026). It also stated that it will work closely with these organisations to support delivery and report on progress alongside central government recommendations (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds nothing dated later than the response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

Lancashire County Council, with the Care Quality Commission, should commission an independent audit of the Young Adults Team to ensure assessments for transition to adult care are timely, properly reasoned and take full account of the individual’s history. This should report by 13 October 2026.

Lancashire County Council stated in May 2026 that options and a delivery plan were being developed between children's and adult social care to strengthen the transition pathway for young adults into adulthood services (Lancashire County Council, May 2026). It added that engagement had taken place with the Care Quality Commission to agree a shared methodology, timeline, and independent capacity to complete the audit, with outcomes and further actions to be agreed (Lancashire County Council, May 2026). The record holds no update since HM Government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

The Department of Health and Social Care / NHS England should ensure that all healthcare trusts involved in the care of children and young people who are at risk of acts of violence against others have systems that ensure that: 1. Key information regarding current and historic risk information is readily visible to treating clinicians in a summarised form, where appropriate with suitable warning flags. 2. Where information comes in from other agencies that is relevant to the risk of violence to others, there are robust systems to ensure that the material is uploaded to or available on their own electronic patient records. Single points of failure leading to risk-relevant communications failing to be scanned need to be designed out.

In July 2026, HM Government accepted the recommendation, reporting that the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England were the lead organisations and that the Single Patient Record, which forms part of the 10 Year Health Plan for England, was "currently being designed and scoped" (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

At the local level, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust should liaise with all of the relevant community healthcare organisations (including Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and Criminal Justice Liaison Services) to ensure that there is clarity about who is responsible for conducting complex structured risk assessments for children and young people who present a risk of violence to others.

In July 2026, HM Government reported that the Department of Health and Social Care has limited powers to direct NHS foundation trusts to implement this recommendation, but the Secretary of State had written to Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust to encourage implementation of recommendations aimed at it (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

Nationally, the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England should review: 1. Whether there is a need for further development and guidance including on the thresholds for when complex structured risk assessments (such as the Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth) are required for children and young people who present a risk of violence to others. A balance may need to be struck between sufficient provision of guidance to assist as to when the more complex type of structured risk assessment may be justified and retaining the case-specific judgements by professionals that are inevitably required. 2. Whether national guidance is required to ensure clarity about who is responsible for conducting complex structured risk assessments (where they are appropriate) for children and young people who present a risk of violence to others. Consideration should also be given to the roles of children and young people’s mental health services and wider children’s services in conducting or referring for appropriate risk assessments.

In July 2026, HM Government stated that the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England expected to complete the recommendation by 31 March 2027 (Home Office response, Jul 2026). It stated that the review will examine evidence on structured risk assessment tools, assess whether further guidance and thresholds are needed for children and young people who present a risk of violence, and incorporate learning from Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

At the local level, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust should by no later than 13 October 2026 carry out and report on a joint audit to ensure that for cases involving both Trusts, the action points from multi agency meetings, healthcare meetings, discharge plans and management plans after risk assessments are being recorded in a SMART-compliant (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound) way.

In July 2026, HM Government reported that Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust had confirmed work had begun and were "on track to meet the implementation deadline of 13 October 2026" (Home Office response, Jul 2026). Earlier, in April 2026, Lisa Cooper informed its Safety and Quality Assurance Committee that initial data extraction was underway and a meeting had been arranged with the Director of Forensic CAMHS to scope the audit methodology (Lisa Cooper, Apr 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

Nationally, the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England should consider whether nationwide guidance should be issued on the importance of action points from all relevant meetings involving healthcare agencies, discharge plans and management plans after risk assessments being recorded in a SMART-compliant (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound) way.

In July 2026, HM Government accepted the recommendation, stating that the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England expect to complete implementation by 31 March 2027 (Home Office response, Jul 2026). To deliver this, the government reported that both organisations agreed to map current training and guidance on record keeping, consider gaps identified by the Inquiry, and determine how best to support SMART-compliant action points (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

Phase 2 should consider the ability of community and forensic mental health services to deliver clinical interventions to mitigate the risk from violence fixated children and young people.

Phase 2 should consider whether further legislative change is required to allow mental health clinicians to assess children and young people who are isolated from professional support and may pose a risk of violence, particularly where powers under the Mental Health Act 1983, as amended by the Mental Health Act 2025, do not permit assessment or detention.

The Home Office (for police forces nationwide) Counter Terrorism Police Headquarters (for Prevent), Department of Health and Social Care (for all healthcare providers) and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (for all local authorities regarding their social care functions) should issue a nationwide reminder to all agencies considering the risk that children pose to others of the importance of respecting the insight offered by the child’s school if they raise concern about the severity of risk that the child poses to others. As was the case with AR at The Acorns School, teachers will often spend more time observing the child (and their interaction with peers) than is available to other professionals. Warnings from teachers and/or schools with particular expertise (including but not limited to Pupil Referral Units) should be given particular weight.

In July 2026, HM Government stated that the Home Office, the Department of Health and Social Care, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government had completed the recommendation, reporting that ministers had written to local safeguarding partners and that the Department for Education was placing a duty on statutory partners through the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 to secure the participation of education and childcare settings (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

The Department for Education, in finalising the Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance 2026, and in any necessary amendments to other policy and guidance, should ensure that: 1. In cases where a child leaves a school because of permanent exclusion, there is absolute clarity concerning the relative responsibilities of the excluding school and the local authority over the transfer of (i) the Common Transfer File and (ii) safeguarding information to the next school. 2. Better guidance is given of the circumstances in which safeguarding information is to be shared in advance of: (i) an offer of a placement; and (ii) the transfer of a pupil. This should include, in particular, where this would aid arrangements that may be necessary for the safety of other pupils or staff because there is relevant information concerning the child’s risk to others. 3. There is absolute clarity over the extent to which risk to others information is expected to be covered in an Education, Health and Care Plan. There should be consistency (which is currently lacking) about whether risk to others is addressed in an Education, Health and Care Plan. However, it must be made clear that an Education, Health and Care Plan (even if one is in place) is not a substitute for the proper exchange of information between schools on the risk that a student may pose to others. 4. The arrangements for the exchange of safeguarding information are not prone to a single point of failure (such as a Designated Safeguarding Lead who is absent or unwell and does not read an incoming email). While the current guidance refers to obtaining confirmation of receipt, there is a case for strengthening the guidance with a clear mechanism at a fixed time to ensure the exchange of information has been effected. There is also a case for the introduction of a formal ‘sign-off’ by the Designated Safeguarding Lead (with appropriate contingencies in place) to confirm that safeguarding information has been received, reviewed and acted upon prior to a pupil being offered a place and prior to the pupil moving to the school. 5. Ensuring that appropriate safeguarding information about a pupil joining a school is shared with relevant staff at the school (e.g. form tutors) before the pupil begins at school. 6. Ensuring that incidents of serious concern, particularly including the use of weapons and intent to seriously harm other pupils, are given appropriate prominence when safeguarding information is shared. 7. Ensuring, where a pupil has a history of possession of a knife or other offensive weapon, that the Designated Safeguarding Lead of the receiving school carries out a risk assessment and implements a safety plan prior to their transfer.

In July 2026, HM Government stated that the Department for Education accepted the recommendation and expected to complete its implementation by mid-2026, confirming that the provisions would be implemented in the next edition of Keeping Children Safe in Education coming into force on 1 September 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

The Department for Education should carry out an audit to ensure that safeguarding information is reliably being passed between schools and should consider what further role Ofsted may play to strengthen protection in this area.

In July 2026, HM Government reported that the Department for Education expects to complete the recommendation by late 2027, with plans to undertake a sample audit of schools to assess the reliability of safeguarding information transfer and consider findings when updating Keeping Children Safe in Education 2027 and examining Ofsted areas of inspection (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

The Department for Education should ensure (either by direct guidance or through Ofsted) that all schools are required to record safeguarding information in a system that is fit for purpose.

HM Government stated in July 2026 that the Department for Education had completed the recommendation, explaining that schools are already required to record safeguarding information while retaining autonomy to choose their own systems (Home Office response, Jul 2026). It added in July 2026 that the department is considering additional support, which may include developing criteria to help schools assess suitable and secure recording systems (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the department's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

Lancashire County Council should, by no later than 13 October 2026, carry out and report on an audit (preferably involving an experienced independent external member) to review: 1. The speed of response to cases where a need for alternative education provision is raised including for those over 16 with an Education, Health and Care Plan. 2. The effectiveness of its monitoring of (and action in response to) school attendance with particular attention being given to (i) children who live in Lancashire but attend school in neighbouring counties; (ii) the resourcing of home visits in appropriate cases; (iii) whether appropriate action is being taken where parents refuse to allow school attendance workers to see a child who is not attending school. 3. The effectiveness of the Education, Health and Care Plan portal approach which has been put in place.

In its May 2026 action plan, Lancashire County Council stated that screening and selection of suitable independent auditors was being undertaken to review education provision and attendance monitoring, though the auditor still needed to be appointed and resources allocated to deliver the audit by September (Lancashire County Council, May 2026). The record holds no update since HM Government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

The Department for Education and the Home Office should review whether further guidance and/or minimum guidance is required in relation to local education authority and police visits to children not attending their place of education.

In July 2026, HM Government accepted the recommendation, stating that the Department for Education and the Home Office expect to complete implementation by late 2027 (Home Office response, Jul 2026). It stated that the department will revise guidance for supporting young people not in education, employment, or training, while a review into whether national guidance on police home visits is required will take place by mid-2027 (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

The Department for Education should ensure that (i) its own policy guidance for teachers and schools (outside the Statutory Guidance for which the Home Office is responsible) is strengthened; and (ii) schools put in place improved Prevent training (including refresher training). This must ensure that staff are not just aware of when to make a Prevent referral but are also aware of (i) what happens once a Prevent referral is made; and (ii) the importance of ongoing dialogue, feedback and assessment between the referrer and the Prevent officer.

In July 2026, HM Government stated that the Department for Education accepted the recommendation and expected to complete implementation by mid-2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The department planned to make substantial updates to guidance on safeguarding learners vulnerable to radicalisation, update designated safeguarding lead Prevent training by September, and introduce a new Prevent training package for those working with SEND learners (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

The Department for Education should undertake a targeted review, engaging with a representative sample of local authorities, to check both that the current (improved) guidance is now sufficient and understood and that the system for monitoring school attendance is being followed in practice and meets the need in cross border cases.

In July 2026, HM Government stated that the Department for Education accepted the recommendation and expected to complete implementation by late 2026, with regional workshops across England planned for September 2026 to test understanding of attendance monitoring guidance and cross-border issues with local authorities and attendance officers (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

The Department for Education should consider what remedial steps can be put in place to assist in circumstances where, whether through underfunding or underperformance, local education authorities are failing to respond adequately to the need for alternative education provision for children who may pose a risk to others. Reforms currently being developed to Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and alternative provision may be part of the necessary solution.

In July 2026, HM Government stated that the Department for Education expects to complete implementation by September 2029 (Home Office response, Jul 2026). It noted that the department plans to introduce mandatory national standards for non-school alternative provision, clarify the sector's role, and address local underperformance through reform plans (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

The Youth Justice Board should ensure that a form of clear practical written guidance is drafted which relevant professionals (social care, healthcare, police, education) can provide to parents of children who have been found with a knife or offensive weapon, explaining the importance of informing agencies if they become aware that the child has purchased or obtained a weapon.

In July 2026, HM Government reported that the Ministry of Justice agreed on the importance of focused interventions and supported the recommendation for the Youth Justice Board to issue written guidance for parents of children who have been found with a knife or offensive weapon (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds no update since the government's response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).

The Law Commission should be asked to review the merits of legal reform concerning whether specified categories of persons ought to be under a legal duty to warn about, or a duty to report, the criminality of another.

The Southport Inquiry recommended reviewing legal duties to warn about or report criminality. In July 2026, HM Government stated that the Ministry of Justice was exploring the merits of the proposal with the Law Commission, which was engaging with the Inquiry to determine next steps, and that it would work to discuss a proposal as soon as possible (Home Office response, Jul 2026). Nicholas Moss, Lead Counsel to the Inquiry, reported in July 2026 that the Chair had been liaising directly with the commission at a senior level (Nicholas Moss, Jul 2026).