Amendments

This chapter was refreshed in March 2025.

This chapter was refreshed in March 2025.

This chapter was updated in March 2025.

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

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

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

This chapter was refreshed in March 2025.

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

This chapter was refreshed in September 2024.

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

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

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

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

In March 2024, 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.

Section 2.3 Appointment of Manager was updated in March 2024 in line with the updated Ofsted Guidance – Social Care Common Inspection Framework: Children’s Homes.

In March 2024, new subections were added in to Section 2, Safe Recruitment and Employment Checks, on Prospective Staff Spending Time in the Home and Carrying Out Interviews, in line with updated Ofsted guidance.
A link was added to information on DBS Digital Identity Verification Guidance.

This chapter was refreshed in March 2024, and additional links added in Further Information.