Amendments

In March 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 March 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 also added. 

In March 2026, information was added into Section 2, What is County Lines Offending? Additional guidance was also added in Further Information.

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

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

This chapter was updated in March 2026 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 September 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 September 2025, a new Section 3, Child Financial Exploitation was added.

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

This chapter was updated in March 2025 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets (GOV.UK) in Related Guidance.

In March 2025, this chapter was updated in line with the Online Safety Act 2023. Information in relation to sexually coerced extortion was added into Section 1, Risks.

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

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

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

This chapter was refreshed in March 2025.

This chapter was refreshed in March 2025.

This chapter was refreshed in March 2025.

In September 2024, this chapter was updated.

In September 2024, this chapter was updated and should be re-read.

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

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

This chapter was updated in September 2024.

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

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