Amendments

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

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

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

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

Section 3, Home Remedies was amended in September 2025 to include the increasing advisory role pharmacists play re over the counter medication.

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

In September 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 September 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.

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.