Amendments

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. 

This chapter was updated in January 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.

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

In January 2026, in Section 6.1, information was added about Pre-application advice on caring for children with complex needs (Ofsted) and Section 6.5, Moving and Handling and Postural Care information was added on the importance for some children of good postural care to reduces their health risks and improve their quality of life.

In January 2026, Section 3, Child Financial Exploitation was added to the chapter.

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

This chapter was refreshed in July 2025.

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

This chapter was refreshed in July 2025.

This chapter was refreshed in July 2025.

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

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

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

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 January 2025, this chapter was updated in line with the Online Safety Act 2023. 

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.

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

In January 2025, this chapter was amended in line with updated Prevent Duty Guidance.

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

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.

In January 2025, a link was added to Education Supply Chains - A Better Hiring Toolkit.