Amendments

This chapter was updated in January 2026 to include information for the Restraint and restrictive practices: positive environments for children - Ofsted: social care.

This chapter was updated in Janaury 2026 to reflect Granting Leaves of Absence in Working Together to Improve School Attendance statutory guidance, which states that generally, the Department for Education does not consider a need or desire for a holiday or other absence for the purpose of leisure and recreation to be an exceptional circumstance for leave of absence.

In January 2026, information was added into Section 4, What is County Lines Offending? Additional guidance was also added in Further Information.

Section 6.4, Moving and Handling and Postural Care information was updated in January 2026 on the importance for some children of good postural care to reduces their health risks and improve their quality of life.

In January 2026, this chapter was refreshed.

In January 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 updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

In July 2025, this chapter was refreshed and a link added to Guidance: Being an Appropriate Adult - guidance for those who perform the role of ‘appropriate adult’ and for the person benefiting from the appropriate adult's support.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

This chapter was updated in July 2025.

In January 2025, the Complaints Policy was updated.

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

In January 2025, this chapter was updated in line with the Online Safety Act 2023 and information was added into Section 1, Risks in relation to sexually coerced extortion.

This chapter was significantly updated in January 2025 and should be re-read

This chapter was refreshed in January 2025.

In January 2025, definitions were updated in line with revised Working Together to Safeguard Children.

In January 2025, this chapter was refreshed to add additional information in relation to Regulation 45 reviews and reports.

In January 2025, a link was added to Education Supply Chains – A Better Hiring Toolkit and a link was added to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets - GOV.UK in the Related Guidance section.

This chapter was refreshed in January 2025.

This chapter was refreshed in January 2025.

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

In January 2025, information was added to Section 6, Health/Personal Care in relation to Personal Care.

This chapter was refreshed in January 2025.

In January 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 September 2024, the Safer Recruitment Policy was updated.

This chapter was reviewed in September 2024 and should be re-read.

In July 2024, a link to Ofsted Guidance Children’s Homes that Provide Care and Accommodation for Adults was added into Further Information.

In July 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 July 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 in July 2024.

This chapter was refreshed in January 2024 and additional links were added into Further Information.

In January 2024, new subsections 2.8, Prospective Staff Spending Time in the Home and 2.9, Carrying Out Interviews were added into Section 2, Safe Recruitment and Employment Checks in line with updated Ofsted guidance. A link was also added to the information on DBS Digital Identity Verification Guidance.

Section 2.3, Appointment of Manager was updated in January 2024 in line with updated Ofsted Guidance - Social Care Common Inspection Framework: Children's Homes.