‘Romeo and Juliet’ clause exempts consensual teen relationships from child abuse reports

Dispensation means teachers in England not obliged to inform child protection about under-18s in every instance

Teachers will not have to inform on sexually active teenagers under a new legal duty to report child abuse after a novel Romeo and Juliet" exemption received cross-party support.

A new crime and policing bill obliges professionals in England, including teachers and healthworkers, to report suspicions of child sexual abuse to the police or local authority in an attempt by the government to prevent cover-ups.