Amendments

This chapter was updated in December 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 December 2025, this chapter was refreshed.

In December 2025, information was added on the importance for some children of good postural care to reduces their health risks and improve their quality of life. See Section 6.5, Moving and Handling and Postural Care.

This chapter was updated in December 2025 to include information for the Restraint and restrictive practices: positive environments for children - Ofsted: social care.

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

This chapter was refreshed in June 2025.

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

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

In June 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 June 2025, a new section was added to the chapter on Child Financial Exploitation.

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

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

This chapter was updated in December 2024.

In December 2024, information was added in relation to Ofsted and CQC Joint Registration Guidance: Children’s Homes and Health Care.

In December 2024, a link was added to Education Supply Chains – A Better Hiring Toolkit and to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets - GOV.UK in the Related Guidance Section.

This chapter was updated in December 2024, to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets - GOV.UK.

In December 2024, information was added in relation to Ofsted and CQC Joint Registration Guidance: Children’s Homes and Health Care.

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

This chapter was added in December 2024.

This chapter was refreshed in December 2024.

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

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

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

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).