Amendments

In May 2026, 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.

In May 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.

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

In May 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 were also added.

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

In May 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 into Further Information.
This chapter was also updated to include information relating to risks of abuse to children through the use of Artificial Intelligence and how staff and carers can mitigate these risks in Section 5, Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

In May 2026, this chapter was updated to include the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.

In May 2026, a new Section 4, Healthy Relationships and Intimate Partner Abuse (IPA) was added.

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

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

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

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

In November 2025, a new Section 4, Note on Language was added.

In November 2025, this chapter was refreshed and a link was 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 November 2025, a new Section 12, Safeguarding for Over 18 Years Old was added.

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

This chapter was updated in May 2025 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets (GOV.UK) in Section 3.3, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks.

In May 2025, the contingency plan was updated. 

This chapter was refreshed in May 2025.

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.

In May 2025, information was added in relation to sexually coerced extortion.

In May 2025, the Young Person’s Handbook information was updated.  

In May 2025, information around the Fire Evacuation Plan was updated.

This chapter was refreshed in May 2025.

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

In May 205, the Statement of Purpose was updated.

In November 2024, this chapter was updated in line with Ofsted Guidance Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF): Supported Accommodation for Looked After Children and Care Leavers Aged 16 and 17.

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

In November 2024, this chapter was updated in line with Ofsted Guidance Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF): Supported Accommodation for Looked After Children and Care Leavers Aged 16 and 17.

In November 2024, this chapter was updated in line with Ofsted Guidance Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF): Supported Accommodation for Looked After Children and Care Leavers Aged 16 and 17.

This chapter was added in November 2024.

This chapter was updated in November 2024.

In November 2024, this chapter was updated in line with Ofsted Guidance Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF): Supported Accommodation for Looked After Children and Care Leavers Aged 16 and 17.

In May 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.

In May 2024, this chapter was updated in line with Ofsted Guidance Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF): Supported Accommodation for Looked After Children and Care Leavers Aged 16 and 17.

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

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

In May 2024, this chapter was updated in line with Ofsted Guidance Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF):  Supported Accommodation for Looked After Children and Care Leavers Aged 16 and 17.

In May 2024, this chapter was updated in line with Ofsted Guidance Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF):  Supported Accommodation for Looked After Children and Care Leavers Aged 16 and 17.

In May 2024, this chapter was refreshed.

In May 2024, this chapter was updated in line with Ofsted Guidance Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF): Supported Accommodation for Looked After Children and Care Leavers Aged 16 and 17.

In May 2024, this chapter was updated in line with Ofsted Guidance Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF): Supported Accommodation for Looked After Children and Care Leavers Aged 16 and 17.

In May 2024, this chapter was updated in line with Ofsted Guidance Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF): Supported Accommodation for Looked After Children and Care Leavers Aged 16 and 17.