BBK Manifesto 2026: Extend position of trust laws to better protect young people
Nearly a decade after Conservative MP Richard Graham called for a change in the law to better protect 16 and 17-year-olds from sexual exploitation by driving instructors, nothing has been done.
Back in 2017, the then-Prime Minister Theresa May said she would look into extending ‘position of trust’ laws to include driving instructors, yet we’re still waiting.
This lack of action has been catastrophic for some. In March 2026, the BBC reported on two survivors who were sexually abused by a driving instructor. They called for stronger safeguards within the industry after the instructor was convicted of targeting multiple pupils. Their story came a year after the BBC ran another story highlighting more survivors of sexual abuse by driving instructors. In that case, I argued there was no sensible reason for driving instructors to be excluded from position of trust laws, and it is beyond frustrating this gap in the law still exists.
What does ‘position of trust’ mean?
Under UK law, it is illegal for adults in a position of trust to engage in sexual activity with a child in their care, even if that child is over the age of consent. Roles covered by the Sexual Offences Act 2003 include teachers, care workers, youth justice staff, social workers and healthcare professionals. In 2022, the law was extended to include sports coaches and faith leaders.
While this change was welcome, significant gaps remain. Driving instructors and those who lead community activities for children are not included, meaning sexual activity with a 16 or 17-year-old in their care is not automatically illegal because of their position of authority.
Why these roles should be included
Position of trust laws exist to protect young people from adults who hold power, influence or authority over them. Driving instructors often spend extended periods alone with young people in one-to-one settings, while community activity leaders can become trusted mentors through regular contact.
These relationships involve the same vulnerabilities and power imbalances that prompted Parliament to extend the law to sports coaches and faith leaders. Yet young people in these settings remain without the same legal protections.
Why action is needed now
The 2022 reforms were driven by years of campaigning and survivor testimony. They recognised that abuse can occur in relationships that extend beyond traditional educational and care settings.
There is no compelling reason why a young person should be protected from sexual exploitation by a sports coach or faith leader, but not by a driving instructor or a trusted community leader. The Government should close this loophole and extend the definition of position of trust to ensure all children receive the same level of protection, regardless of where that relationship is formed.
Leaving this loophole unaddressed continues to place children at unnecessary risk. It is unacceptable that, year after year, reports emerge of young people being abused or sexually assaulted by adults in positions of authority who should be safeguarding their wellbeing.
This blog is part of our 2026/27 Manifesto for Injured People. At Bolt Burdon Kemp, we support injured people not only by winning their cases but by driving positive change. Guided by our clients’ experiences and partnerships with charities across the UK, we are raising awareness of the changes needed to better support injured people. We will continue working with politicians from all parties to ensure injured people’s needs are not overlooked in Westminster or beyond. You can read our full manifesto here.
