Amendments

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

In January 2026, this chapter was refreshed throughout.

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

In January 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.

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

This chapter was updated in July 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 July 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 July 2025.

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

In July 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 July 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).

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was refreshed in January 2025.

This chapter was refreshed in January 2025.

In January 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 January 2025.

This chapter was updated in January 2025 to reflect updated Prevent Duty Statutory Guidance.

In January 2025, a new 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 was also added on Breast Flattening which is an offence as set out in CPS So-Called Honour-Based Abuse Legal Guidance.

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

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

Section 2.3, Appointment of Manager was updated in January 2025 in line with updated Ofsted Guidance – Social Care Common Inspection Framework: Children’s Homes.

This chapter was refreshed in January 2025.

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

In January 2025, information on risks in relation to sexually coerced extortion was added into Section 1, Risks. A new Section 7, AI Imagery and Section 8, Sharing nudes and semi-nudes were also added.

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

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

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

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

This chapter was updated in June 2024.

This chapter was refreshed in June 2024.

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

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