Keeping children safe in education 2026
The status of this guidance
Unless otherwise specified:
Victims and alleged perpetrator(s)
Nudes and semi-nudes, including where generated by AI
Data Protection Act 2018, the UK GDPR and the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 - data protection laws'
What this guidance replaces
Part one: Safeguarding information for all staff
A child centred and coordinated approach to safeguarding
The role of school and college staff
What school and college staff need to know
What school and college staff should look out for
Abuse, neglect and exploitation
Indicators of abuse and neglect
Child-on-child abuse (including harassment and violence)
Child criminal exploitation (C C E) and child sexual exploitation (C S E)
Child criminal exploitation (CCE)
Child sexual exploitation (CSE)
Female genital mutilation (F G M)
Additional information and support
What school and college staff should do if they have concerns about a child
60. Options will then include:
Community-based Early Help assessment
Statutory children's social care assessments and services
Children suffering or likely to suffer significant harm
What will the local authority do?
Why is all of this important?
What school or college staff should do if they have concerns about safeguarding practices within the school or college
Part two: The management of safeguarding
Public Sector Equality Duty
Data Protection Act 2018, the UK G D P R and the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025—data protection laws'
Regulations and safeguarding requirements relating to school premises
Changing Rooms and Showers
Whole school and college approach to safeguarding
Safeguarding policies and procedures
The designated safeguarding lead
Opportunities to teach safeguarding
Information security and access management
Further information and support
Child-on-child abuse (including harassment and violence)
Boarding schools, residential special schools, residential colleges and children's homes
Boarding and residential accommodation
The use of reasonable force' in schools
Use of school or college premises for non-school/college activities
Children potentially at greater risk of harm
Children who need a social worker (Child in Need and Child Protection Plans)
Children who are absent from education
Elective home education, E H E
Children requiring mental health support
Looked after children and previously looked after children
Children with special educational needs, disabilities or health issues
Safeguarding children with medical conditions
Children who are lesbian, gay or bisexual
Children who are questioning their gender
Schools and colleges should be respectful places where bullying is never tolerated
Considering requests for support with social transition
Schools and colleges have statutory duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children
Parents and carers should be actively involved and their views treated with importance
Accommodating social transition is an active intervention so schools and colleges should take a very careful approach
Children living in stealth
Support for children who wish to detransition
Summary: About the guidance
Summary: Part one – Safeguarding information for all staff
Summary: Part two - The management of safeguarding
Summary: Part three – Safer recruitment
Summary: Part five – Child-on-child sexual harassment and sexual violence
Summary: Annex A - Further information (previously Annex B in KCSIE 2025)
Summary: Annex B - Role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (previously Annex C in KCSIE 2025)