Amendments

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

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

This chapter was refreshed in August 2025. A new section was added to the chapter on Child Financial Exploitation.

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

This chapter was refreshed in August 2025.

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

In August 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 August 2025. In Section 6.1, Who the Children’s Home Needs to be Registered With, information was added about Pre-application advice on caring for children with complex needs (Ofsted).

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

This chapter was updated in August 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 August 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.

This chapter was refreshed in February 2025 in line with updated Prevent Duty guidance.

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

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

This chapter was refreshed in February 2025.

In August 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 refreshed in August 2024.

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

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

In August 2024, Section 8, Other Harmful Practices was added. The Health and Care Act 2022 has made it illegal to carry out, offer or aid and abet virginity testing or hymenoplasty in any part of the UK. It is also illegal for UK nationals and residents to do these things outside the UK. Information has also been added on Breast Flattening which is an offence as set out in CPS So-Called Honour-Based Abuse Legal Guidance.

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

In August 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).