Amendments

This chapter was refreshed in May 2026.

In May 2026, this chapter was updated to contain additional information on recruiting people who have lived overseas and on the DBS update service.

In May 2026, information was added as the government has extended free NHS services to care leavers with free prescriptions, dental and eye care services up to the age of 25.

In May 2026, a link was added in Section 10, Further Information, to the Children’s Commissioners’ guidance ’What I wish my parents or carers knew…’: A guide for parents and carers on managing children’s digital lives. This chapter was also updated to include information relating to risks of abuse to children through the use of Artificial Intelligence and how staff and carers can mitigate these risks in a new Section 6, Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

In May 2026, this chapter was updated to contain information from the Mental Health Foundation 2003, NICE guidance for Self-harm: assessment, management and preventing recurrence and the NHS England Staying safe from suicide guidance. Additional website links were added, and a new Section 3, Protective and Supportive Action was also added to this chapter.

In May 2026, this chapter was updated with information from the Youth Justice Charter - know your rights in the youth justice system. The Youth Justice Charter sets out what children can expect at each stage of the youth justice system — helping them understand who does what, what their rights are, and what to do if the standards are not met.

In May 2026, this chapter was updated to include the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.

In May 2026, information was added into Section 2, What is County Lines Offending? And additional guidance in Further Information.

In May 2026, this chapter was updated to reflect the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 and additional further information links.

In May 2026, information was added as the government has extended health services and other entitlements to care leavers.

This chapter was refreshed in May 2026 to further define Cyberbullying in Section 2, Types of Bullying.

In May 2026, this chapter was updated to provide a link to the Information Commissioners Office ‘Better Records Together’.

In May 2026, a new section was added around Healthy Relationships and Intimate Partner Abuse (IPA).

In May 2026, this chapter was updated to provide links to RIDDOR. 

This chapter was updated in November 2025 to reflect Granting Leaves of Absence in Working Together to Improve School Attendance statutory guidance, which states that generally, the Department for Education does not consider a need or desire for a holiday or other absence for the purpose of leisure and recreation to be an exceptional circumstance for leave of absence.

In November 2025, this chapter was refreshed and a link added to Guidance: Being an Appropriate Adult - guidance for those who perform the role of ‘appropriate adult’ and for the person benefiting from the appropriate adult's support.

This chapter was updated in November 2025 to include information for the Restraint and restrictive practices: positive environments for children - Ofsted: social care.

In November 2025, a new Section 3, Child Financial Exploitation was added.

In November 2025, information was added about Pre-application advice on caring for children with complex needs (Ofsted). Information was added into Section 6.5, Moving and Handling and Postural Care on the importance for some children of good postural care to reduces their health risks and improve their quality of life.

Section 3, Home Remedies was amended in November 2025 to include the increasing advisory role pharmacists play re over the counter medication.

This chapter was refreshed in May 2025.

In May 2025 this chapter was refreshed to add additional information in relation to Regulation 45 reviews and reports.

This chapter was updated in May 2025 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets - GOV.UK in the Related Guidance Section.

This chapter was updated in May 2025 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets - GOV.UK.

In May 2025 information was added into Section 1, Risks in relation to sexually coerced extortion.

In May 2025 amendments were made to the definition of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in line with further revisions to Working Together to Safeguard Children.

In May 2025 this chapter was refreshed and information was added in relation to Ofsted and CQC Joint Registration Guidance: Children’s Homes and Health Care.

In May 2025 amendments were made to the definition of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in line with further revisions to Working Together to Safeguard Children.

This chapter was refreshed in May 2025.

In May 2025 a link was added to Young People and Vaping (NHS).

This chapter was refreshed in May 2025 and links added to sources of further information.

This chapter was updated throughout in May 2025.

In May 2025 information was added in relation to Ofsted and CQC Joint Registration Guidance: Children’s Homes and Health Care.

In November 2024, information was added to reflect the reclassification of nitrous oxide as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (as amended).

In November 2024, this chapter was updated in line with the Online Safety Act 2023.

This chapter was refreshed in November 2024.

In November 2024, a link was added to Education Supply Chains – A Better Hiring Toolkit.

In November 2024, a link was added in the Further Information section to Ofsted Guidance Children’s Homes that Provide Care and Accommodation for Adults.