The Department for Education (DfE) has launched a public consultation on the proposed revisions to Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), the statutory guidance that underpins safeguarding in all schools and colleges in England. The consultation is open until 22 April 2026 and will inform the final guidance, expected to come into effect from September 2026. KCSIE has been a cornerstone of safeguarding practice for decades, setting out clear responsibilities for schools, governors, and staff. The proposed updates reflect emerging risks, legislative changes, and feedback from the sector, ensuring the guidance remains practical, relevant, and aligned with the realities of modern safeguarding.
As always, we will offer a live, online session, sharing all confirmed updates ahead of the new academic year. Until then, it’s a great idea to keep ourselves informed of proposed updates so that we might seek to look at any changes we may need to implement before Septmeber.
So… what do we know so far?
The draft guidance emphasises the importance of recognising and responding to emerging risks. Schools are expected to take a proactive approach to serious violence, weapons concerns, and child-on-child abuse. Mental health difficulties are also recognised as potential safeguarding issues, highlighting the need for staff to respond appropriately when emotional or behavioural challenges may indicate risk. Technology-related harms are included as part of the revisions, reflecting the growing threat posed by digital platforms. This includes risks from AI-generated content, deepfakes, and other technology-facilitated abuse. Misogynistic behaviour is explicitly acknowledged as harmful sexual behaviour, reminding schools of the importance of timely and proportionate responses. These updates aim to provide clearer direction for identifying risks and supporting children safely and effectively.
A significant addition to the draft guidance is a new statutory section on supporting children questioning their gender identity. This section replaces previous non-statutory guidance and is grounded in the recommendations from the Cass Review. It outlines a careful, child-centred approach, emphasising parental involvement in the vast majority of cases. The guidance also clarifies expectations around single-sex facilities, including toilets, changing rooms, showers, and sports, while encouraging schools to handle these matters sensitively. We know from recent discussions in supervision and training sessions that this is an area that staff sometimes feel concerned about getting right, and this addition aims to provide staff with practical advice and statutory clarity, supporting them to balance inclusion and safeguarding responsibilities thoughtfully.
The proposed revisions also strengthen guidance on online safety and safeguarding systems. Schools are expected to review filtering and monitoring systems regularly to ensure they remain effective and appropriate for pupils’ needs. Mobile phone policies are highlighted, encouraging schools to consider restricting device use in specific areas or circumstances to protect pupils from online harms. These updates reflect the increasing importance of digital safeguarding and the need for clear policies to manage technology-related risks.
The draft guidance also clarifies schools’ responsibilities under Operation Encompass – the system through which police notify schools when a child may have been affected by domestic abuse. The revisions emphasise the importance of receiving and responding to these notifications appropriately, ensuring that children receive the support they need in a timely manner. By providing consistent guidance, the revisions aim to strengthen early intervention and safeguarding for children exposed to domestic abuse, reinforcing the role of schools as critical partners in child protection.
In addition to these updates, the consultation includes a range of proposed clarifications and technical changes across KCSIE. These cover safer recruitment practices, managing allegations against staff, child-on-child sexual violence and harassment, and annual review of safeguarding policies. Collectively, these changes emphasise the importance of keeping safeguarding policies and procedures under regular review, ensuring staff are confident and capable of responding to the complex issues that may arise in schools today.
The proposed revisions are significant for all schools and colleges because they reflect contemporary risks, embed statutory requirements, and provide practical guidance for safeguarding leaders, staff, and governors. The consultation also presents an opportunity for education professionals to contribute their views and shape the final guidance. Engaging with the consultation allows schools to prepare for the changes, update policies, and ensure staff are trained to implement new expectations effectively. The consultation closes on 22 April 2026, and responding is an important way for you to ensure that your expertise and insight influence statutory guidance that affects safeguarding practice nationwide.
What are your thoughts? We would love to hear from you and invite you to share your experiences in our online Facebook community, which you can access here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3167295756754880