Petition · Department for Education
Create an independent oversight body for social services
Open for signatures
16 signatures
What the petition asks
In the same way that police forces must refer themselves to the Independent Office of Police Complaints, which investigates deaths or serious harm to an individual from police contact, we want the same for social services.
We call upon the Government to establish an independent oversight body akin to the IOPC for social workers to refer themselves for deaths or serious harm to individuals who social workers have come into contact within the work done by social services.
We believe that in doing so, it could enable vital recording and investigation of these deaths or serious harm, foster a culture of prevention, and make way for an up-to-date, responsible, accountable and transparent oversight body.
We believe that in doing so, it could enable vital recording and investigation of these deaths or serious harm, foster a culture of prevention, and make way for an up-to-date, responsible, accountable and transparent oversight body.
Timeline
| 20 Aug 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
16
Status
Open for signatures
Department
Department for Education
Opened
20 Aug 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 21 Aug 2026.