Amendments

In March 2026, information was added into Section 2, What is County Lines Offending? With additional guidance added in Further Information.

In March 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.

This chapter was revised and updated in March 2026.

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

In March 2026, this chapter was updated to contain information from 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 September 2025, information was added to Section 3, Risks in relation to sexually coerced extortion.

In September 2025, Section 2, Home Remedies, was amended to include the increasing advisory role pharmacists play regarding over-the-counter medication.

In September 2025 this chapter was revised throughout.

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

This chapter was revised in September 2025. A new section was added to the chapter on Child Financial Exploitation.

In September 2025, information was added to Section 8, Accommodation, Bedroom Space and Sharing in relation to bunk beds, and locks on children’s bedrooms.

This chapter was updated in September 2025 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets - GOV.UK. In Section 2.3, Disclosure and Barring Service Checks.

In March 2025, minor amendments were made to definitions in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children.

In March 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 March 2025, information was added to reflect the reclassification of nitrous oxide as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (as amended)

This chapter was revised in March 2025.

This chapter was revised in March 2025.

This chapter was revised in March 2025.

In March 2025, this chapter was updated in line with the Online Safety Act 2023.

In March 2025, additional good practice information was added on checking of employment history and references.

In March 2025, information with details on how to request information about an applicant from Ofsted was added into Section 5, Checks.