Amendments

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).

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.

This chapter has been refreshed throughout in April 2024.

This chapter has been refreshed in April 2024.

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.