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Amendments

2025

November 2025

First Aid, Home Remedies and Medication

In November 2025, Section 3, Home Remedies was amended to include the increasing advisory role pharmacists play regarding over the counter medication.

Holidays and School Trips

This chapter was updated in November 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.

Use of Restraint and Physical Intervention

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

Supporting Children and Young People with Disabilities/Health Care Needs

In November 2025, in 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.

May 2025

Safeguarding Children and Young People and Referring Safeguarding Concerns

In May 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.

Recognising Abuse and Neglect

In May 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.

Monitoring Quality

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

Child Criminal Exploitation and County Lines

In May 2025, a new section was added to the chapter on Child Financial Exploitation.

Role of Appropriate Adult

In May 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.

Safe Use of the Internet, Social Media and Photographs

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

Smoking

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

Supporting Children and Young People with Disabilities/Health Care Needs

In May 2025, in Section 6.1, information was added about Pre-application advice on caring for children with complex needs (Ofsted).

Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation

This chapter was refreshed in May 2025.

Allegations Against Staff

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

Staffing and Safe Recruitment

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

2024

November 2024

Child Criminal Exploitation and County Lines

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

Recognising Abuse and Neglect

In November 2024, definitions waupdated in line with revised Working Together to Safeguard Children.

Drugs

In November 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).

Smoking

This chapter was refreshed in November 2024.

Safe Use of the Internet, Social Media and Photographs

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

Positive Relationships and Behaviour Support

This chapter was updated in November 2024.

Safeguarding Children from Radicalisation and Extremism

This chapter was updated in November 2024.

Staffing and Safe Recruitment

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

Notification of Serious Events

In November 2024 information was added in relation to Ofsted and CQC Joint Registration Guidance: Children’s Homes and Health Care.

Preparation for Leaving Care

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