The call was first made in the final report by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA).
However, charities supporting vulnerable children and those working in the sector, took to social media to back the call after Sunak appointed cabinet members earlier this week.
In a tweet, the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) said: “It would be great to see the government act on IICSA's recommendation for a cabinet minister for children so that all children can grow up safe, secure and supported.”
Mark Russell, chief executive of the Children's Society, said: "We’ve had four Education Secretaries in four months, and we need real political leadership to address the huge challenges facing young people. Today would be a good moment for @RishiSunak to follow @InquiryCSA recommendation for a cabinet minister for children."
We’ve had 4 Education Secretaries in 4 months, and we need real political leadership to address the huge challenges facing young people. Today would be a good moment for @RishiSunak to follow @InquiryCSA recommendation for a Cabinet Minister for Children #ProtectEveryChildhood https://t.co/xFXpbNQwo0
— Mark Russell 🇺🇦 (he/him) (@markrusselluk) October 25, 2022
John Radoux, children's psychotherapist and a care leaver, tweeted: "Cabinet minister for children is an idea we can all get behind, no?"
The IICSA’s report, released last week, says that a minister for children would “provide a sharper focus within government on critical issues which affect children and would provide the necessary leadership, profile and influence on matters of child protection.”
This minister would be“required to work across government departments to enable the welfare of children to remain a high priority” and would bring together the minister for safeguarding, who sits in the Home Office and the children's minister, who sits in the Department for Education, according to the report.
The minister for children would, when necessary, commission inspections by a Child Protection Authority (CPA), the creation of which was also recommended in the report.
Downing Street has been contacted for comment.
