What changed in KCSIE 2026

Added 13 October 2026. Keeping children safe in education 2026 was published on 7 July 2026 and has been in force since 1 September 2026. The DfE's own summary of changes is Annex C of that document. Paragraph numbers below are from KCSIE 2026.

Throughout the guidance

  • The condensed Part one (the old Annex A) has been withdrawn: all staff are expected to read Part one in full. The old Annex B (further information) is now Annex A, and the role of the DSL is now Annex B (it was Annex C).
  • "Making or sharing of nudes or semi-nudes" replaces "sexting" and "youth produced sexual imagery". The definitions of sexual abuse (now mirroring Working Together to Safeguard Children), sexual assault and assault by penetration are updated, with more references to misogyny.
  • Early help is now described as "universal services and community-based early help" and "the targeted early help level of Family Help", with a new section on referrals to Family Help.
  • Where children aged 0 to 5 attend a school nursery or reception class, section 3 of the EYFS statutory framework should be read alongside KCSIE.

Part one: information for all staff

  • Modern slavery, stalking and financial exploitation added; emotional abuse can include verbal abuse; child-on-child abuse is a safeguarding issue for both the victim and the alleged perpetrator.
  • Child criminal and sexual exploitation content expanded (organised networks, modern slavery and referral expectations); the mental health and serious violence sections substantially updated.
  • Trainee teachers are referenced, and staff are expected to consider a referral to the LADO.

Part two: the management of safeguarding

  • DSL cover: schools should put robust cover arrangements in place for when the DSL is unavailable, for example a confidential shared mailbox, so concerns are received, monitored and acted on without delay (para 129; Annex B).
  • Mobile phones: all schools should be mobile phone-free environments by default (para 170).
  • Filtering and monitoring: governing bodies and proprietors should ensure the effectiveness review happens at least once every academic year, carried out by the SLT member responsible with the DSL and IT support, checking filtering on all internet-connected devices in all relevant locations, with a record kept (para 173).
  • Data protection updated for the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.
  • New sections on sport (from para 97), school premises regulations, boarding and residential accommodation, young carers (para 248) and children with medical conditions; generative AI guidance added; reasonable force updated for the new restrictive intervention guidance; alternative provision updated.

Part three: safer recruitment

  • The Crime and Policing Act 2026 removed the "supervision exemption". A volunteer who teaches, trains, instructs or supervises children frequently, on more than 3 days in a 30-day period, or overnight is now in regulated activity, and the school should obtain an enhanced DBS check with children's barred list information (paras 383 to 384). The old supervision annex and the DBS flowchart have been removed.
  • In settings covered by the EYFS framework, staff and volunteers must not start until the enhanced DBS certificate, including barred list information, has been received.
  • Prohibition and teacher status checks now use the DfE's Check a teacher's record (para 340). Staff can join the DBS Update Service within 30 calendar days of the certificate's issue date (para 328).
  • Work experience supervision rewritten; homestay guidance moved into the main body; the duty to refer now covers volunteers; reference added to the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Part four: concerns and allegations about staff

  • Trainee teachers added throughout, with new expectations for handling concerns about them; schools share safeguarding responsibilities with supply agencies and other third parties.

Part five: child-on-child sexual violence and sexual harassment

  • Substantially rewritten around the continuum from harmful sexual behaviour to sexual violence. All incidents of sharing nude or semi-nude images need a safeguarding response, whether consensual or not, proportionate to the children's age, development and circumstances (para 530).

Checks for leaders this term

  • Every member of staff has read Part one in full (no condensed version).
  • DSL cover is written down and known, including who monitors the safeguarding inbox.
  • Volunteers who now fall in regulated activity have an enhanced DBS check with barred list information.
  • The annual filtering and monitoring review is booked, led by the named SLT member, with a record of device checks.
  • The child protection and mobile phone policies reflect the 2026 wording.

Earlier KCSIE summaries

Our summaries of earlier editions are kept as dated records. Each one notes where its points sit in KCSIE 2026.

KCSIE July 2025: the original summary

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 improve school 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

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.