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Amendments

2025

October 2025

Supporting Children and Young People with Disabilities / Health Care Needs

In October 2025, in Section 6.1, information was added about Pre-application advice on caring for children with complex needs (Ofsted).

First Aid, Home Remedies and Medication

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

Role of Appropriate Adults

In October 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.

Child Criminal Exploitation and County Lines

In October 2025, Section 3, Child Financial Exploitation was added.

Holidays and School Trips

This chapter was updated in October 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. 

April 2025

Notification of Serious Events

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

Safeguarding Children and Young People and Referring Safeguarding Concerns

In April 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.

Allegations Against Staff and Volunteers

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

Supporting Children and Young People with Disabilities / Health Care Needs

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

Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation

This chapter was refreshed in April 2025

Recognising Abuse and Neglect

In April 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.

Staffing and Safe Recruitment

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

Safe Use of the Internet, Social Media and Photographs

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

Monitoring Quality

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

Positive Relationships and Behaviour Support

This chapter was refreshed in April 2025

Smoking

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

Child Criminal Exploitation and County Lines

This chapter was refreshed in April 2025

2024

October 2024

Child Criminal Exploitation and County Lines

In October 2024, minor amendments were made to definitions in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children

Safe Use of the Internet, Social Media and Photographs

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

Smoking

This chapter was refreshed in October 2024.

Recognising Abuse and Neglect

In October 2024, definitions were updated in line with revised Working Together to Safeguard Children.

Preparation for Leaving Care

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

Staffing and Safe Recruitment

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

Drugs

In October 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).