Amendments

In April 2026, this chapter was reviewed and updated in line with local procedure.

In April 2026 this chapter was reviewed and updated in line with local procedure.

This chapter was updated in April 2026 to include information for the Restraint and restrictive practices: positive environments for children – Ofsted: social care.

In April 2026 Information has been added to Section 2, What is County Lines Offending? And additional guidance in Further Information. In addition, this chapter was updated in line with local procedure

In April 2026, this chapter was reviewed and updated in line with local procedure.

In April 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 April 2026, this chapter was reviewed and updated in line with local procedure.

In April 2026, this chapter was reviewed and updated in line with local procedure.

In April 2026, this chapter was reviewed and updated in line with local procedure.

This chapter was updated in April 2026.

In April 2026, this chapter reviewed and updated in line with local procedure.

In April 2026, this chapter was reviewed and updated in line with local procedure.

In April 2026, this chapter was reviewed and updated in line with local procedure.

In April 2026 this chapter was reviewed and updated in line with local procedure.

In April 2026 this chapter was reviewed and updated in line with local procedure.

In April 2026 this chapter has been updated in line with local procedure 

This chapter was updated in April 2026.

In April 2026, this chapter was reviewed and updated in line with local procedure.

In April 2026, in Section 6.5, Moving and Handling and Postural Care information was added on the importance for some children of good postural care to reduce their health risks and improve their quality of life.

In April 2026, this chapter was reviewed and updated in line with local procedure.

This chapter was updated in April 2026.

In April 2026, this chapter was reviewed and updated in line with local procedure.

In April 2026, this chapter was updated in line with local procedure.

In April 2026, this chapter was reviewed and updated in line with local procedure.

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

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

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.

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

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. 

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

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.

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

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

This chapter was refreshed in April 2025

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.

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.

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

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

This chapter was refreshed in April 2025

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

This chapter was refreshed in April 2025

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

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

This chapter was refreshed in October 2024.

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

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.

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

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).