Amendments

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

This chapter was refreshed in April 2026 to include information from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) and Coram BAAF: Initial Health Assessment (IHA) Delivery Standards. Also, 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.

In April 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 April 2026, information was added as the government has extended health services and other entitlements to care leavers.

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

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

This chapter was refreshed in April 2026 to further define Cyberbullying in Section 2, Types of Bullying, and a new Section 6, Further Information/Specialist Support was added.

In April 2026, this chapter was updated to include the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.

In April 2026, a link was added to the related guidance section 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.

This chapter was refreshed in April 2026.

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

Section 2, Home Remedies was amended in October 2025 to include the increasing advisory role pharmacists play re over the counter medication.

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

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

In April 2025, information in relation to sexually coerced extortion was added into Section 3, Risks.

In April 2025, information in relation to bunk beds was added into Section 8, Accommodation, Bedroom Space and Sharing.

This chapter was refreshed in April 2025.

This chapter was refreshed in April 2025.

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

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

In October 2024, additional good practice information was added on checking of employment history and references.

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

In October 2024, a link to Guidance: Working Together to Improve School Attendance was added into Further Information.

In October 2024, information with details on how to request information about an applicant from Ofsted was added into Section 5, Checks.

In October 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).

This chapter was refreshed throughout in April 2024.

This chapter was refreshed in April 2024.

Section 3.1, Assessment of Dogs was updated in April 2024 to include XL Bully as a banned breed of dog under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (as amended).

This chapter was refreshed in April 2024 and additional links were added in Relevant Guidance.

Section 2, Fitness to Provide or Manage the Administration of a Fostering Service was updated in April 2024 in line with updated Ofsted Guidance - Social Care Common Inspection Framework: Independent Fostering Agencies.

In April 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 October 2023, a new Section 4, Allergies was added.

In October 2023, information in relation to allergies was added into Section 4, Health Plans.

In October 2023, information in relation to allergies was added into Section 6, Diet, Nutrition and Allergies.

This chapter was added in October 2023.

In April 2023, this chapter was amended in line with revised statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education. Information was added to note that Keeping Children Safe in Education provides that copies of a curriculum vitae should only be accepted alongside an application form as a curriculum vitae on its own may not provide adequate information. Information was also added in relation to online searches.

In April 2023, a link was added into Related Guidance to Culturally Appropriate (Skills for Care) which has a range of resources to support embedding culturally appropriate care in everyday good practice.

In April 2023, this chapter was amended in line with revised Keeping Children Safe in Education. A new Section 2, The Difference Between an Allegation of Harm and a Concern was also added.