Amendments

In April 2026, information was added into Section 2, What is County Lines Offending? Additional guidance was also added in Further Information.

In April 2026, information was added as the government has extended free NHS services to care leavers with free prescriptions, dental and eye care services up to the age of 25.

In April 2026, a link to the Children’s Commissioners’ guidance “What I wish my parents or carers knew…’: A guide for parents and carers on managing children’s digital lives was added in Section 9, Further Information.

In April 2026, information was added as the government has extended health services and other entitlements to care leavers.

In April 2026, this chapter was updated to provide links to RIDDOR.

In April 2026, this chapter was updated to provide a link to the Information Commissioners Office ‘Better Records Together’.

In April 2026, this chapter was updated to contain information from the Mental Health Foundation 2003, NICE guidance for Self-harm: assessment, management and preventing recurrence and the NHS England Staying safe from suicide guidance. Additional website links have been added. 

In April 2026, this chapter was updated to contain additional information on recruiting people who have lived overseas and on the DBS update service.

This chapter was refreshed in April 2026 to further define Cyberbullying in Section 2. Types of Bullying.

In April 2026, this chapter was updated to reflect the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 and additional further information links were also added.

In October 2025, information was added about Pre-application advice on caring for children with complex needs (Ofsted). Information was added into Section 6.5, Moving and Handling and Postural Care on the importance for some children of good postural care to reduces their health risks and improve their quality of life.

Section 3, Home Remedies/Over the Counter Medication was amended in October 2025 to include the increasing advisory role pharmacists play re over the counter medication.

This chapter was updated in October 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 October 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 October 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. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This chapter was refreshed in April 2025.

This chapter was refreshed in April 2025

This chapter was refreshed in April 2025

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

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

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

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

This chapter was refreshed in October 2024.

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