The Department for Education has published a draft version of Keeping Children Safe in Education July 2025 (for information). This update, while described as containing only technical changes, includes several important revisions that all schools and colleges must be aware of.
The final statutory version will come into force on 1 September 2025. In the meantime, you are advised to familiarise yourself with the changes now, as outlined in Annex F: Table of Changes from KCSIE 2024.
Summary of Changes – July 2025
Part Two: The Management of Safeguarding
You will need to review the following updates to your policies and procedures:
Relationships, Sex, and Health Education (RSHE)
A note has been added (para 128) stating that revised RSHE guidance is expected this summer. If published, it will be signposted in the September 2025 version. You should prepare to review your curriculum accordingly.
Online Safety – Misinformation and Conspiracy Theories
Paragraph 135 has been updated to confirm that misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories are now considered safeguarding harms. These must be addressed within your online safety provision and staff training.
Filtering and Monitoring Standards
A link has been added (para 142) to the DfE’s Plan Technology for Your School service. You should use this to self-assess your filtering and monitoring systems and obtain personalised recommendations to meet national standards.
Generative AI in Education
Paragraph 143 includes a new link to DfE’s guidance on the use of generative AI in schools and colleges (2025). Review this to ensure emerging AI tools are used safely and appropriately in your setting.
Cybersecurity Standards
Paragraph 144 now clarifies that the cybersecurity standards were developed to help schools and colleges improve cyber resilience. You should adopt a proactive approach to securing your digital systems.
Alternative Provision (AP)
Paragraphs 169–170 and 331 have been updated to reflect existing AP Guidance more clearly. When commissioning AP, you must:
- Obtain written confirmation that safeguarding checks have been carried out on all relevant staff.
- Ensure that providers notify you of any staff changes that could pose a risk to pupils.
- Retain oversight of safeguarding in all off-site or external placements.
Children Absent from Education
Paragraph 177 has been amended to confirm that Working Together to Safeguard Attendance is now statutory guidance. Your attendance procedures must align with this.
Virtual School Heads
Paragraph 199 clarifies that Virtual School Heads are now responsible for promoting the educational achievement of children in kinship care. Schools should liaise accordingly and ensure this cohort is effectively supported.
Children who are Gender Questioning
A note has been added (para 204) indicating that revised guidance is expected this summer. If published, it will be signposted in the final September 2025 version. Policies may need review once that guidance is released.
SEND Terminology
Paragraph 205 removes the terms “spectrum” and “disorder” to better align with the SEND Code of Practice. You should check that your safeguarding and inclusion documents reflect this language.
Part Three: Safer Recruitment
The following clarifications streamline recruitment processes:
TRA Employer Access Service
Paragraphs 260 and 266 remove references to the Teaching Regulation Agency’s Employer Access Service. You must now use the consolidated GOV.UK page to carry out:
- Prohibition checks
- Direction and restriction checks
- Children’s barred list checks
Section 128 Checks
Paragraph 319 removes reference to the Employer Secure Access portal. You must now use the direct GOV.UK link to carry out Section 128 checks for governors and school leaders.
Part Four: Allegations Against Staff
Information Commissioner’s Guidance
Paragraph 422 has been amended to correct the title of the ICO’s employment practice guidance. Ensure that your records reflect the correct document title.
Part Five: Child-on-Child Sexual Violence and Harassment
Harmful Sexual Behaviour (HSB) Resource
Paragraph 545 adds a link to the Lucy Faithfull Foundation’s Shore Space, a confidential online service for young people concerned about their own or others’ sexual thoughts and behaviours. You should incorporate this into your safeguarding curriculum and signposting materials.
Annex B: Updated Resources
Two important new links have been added:
- CSA Centre for Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse – Resources for education settings
- The Children’s Society – Preventing Child Sexual Exploitation
These resources offer valuable support materials for DSLs and classroom staff and should be circulated as part of your next safeguarding CPD.
What You Need to Do Now
All schools and colleges should take the following steps ahead of the statutory implementation in September:
- Review and update safeguarding, RSHE, filtering, and recruitment policies in line with the above changes
- Ensure the DSL and safeguarding team are briefed on these developments
- Share updated guidance with governors and senior leaders
- Prepare for the likely publication of RSHE and gender guidance before the new academic year
- Audit your alternative provision commissioning processes and oversight mechanisms
- Update signposting resources to include Shore Space and the new CSA/Children’s Society links
These changes, while described as technical, reflect a consistent evolution in safeguarding policy towards greater digital resilience, inclusivity, and oversight. Staying ahead of these shifts is essential to fulfilling your statutory duties and ensuring that every child remains safe and supported.
You can find supporting downloadable resources, all done for you, on our website, or available to download from our community.
About the Community: Resources, Templates, and Support
All of the required templates, briefings, and ready-to-use leadership tools to implement these updates are available for download via the HeadteacherChat Community.
Explore:
- Safeguarding Policy Audit Tools
- RSHE and Online Safety Update Trackers
- Staff Briefing Templates
- DSL Compliance Checklists
Join over 1,000 school leaders accessing done-for-you resources, CPD, and policy support at:
👉 https://headteacher-chat.link/htc-comm
Further Resources for School Leaders
Updated: March 2025
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Created 07.07.25. Updated 08.7.25
Written in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education July 2025.