Amendments

In November 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.

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

This chapter was updated in November 2025 to include information for the Restraint and restrictive practices: positive environments for children - Ofsted: social care.

This chapter was updated in November 2025 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.

Section 3, Home Remedies was amended in November 2025 to include the increasing advisory role pharmacists play re over-the-counter medication. 

In November 2025, information was added about Pre-application advice on caring for children with complex needs (Ofsted). Information was added into Section 6.5, Moving and Handling and Postural Care on the importance for some children of good postural care to reduces their health risks and improve their quality of life.

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

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

In May 2025, information in relation to sexually coerced extortion was added into Section 1, Risks.

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

This chapter was refreshed in May 2025.

In May 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 May 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.

This chapter was refreshed in May 2025.

This chapter was refreshed in May 2025.

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

In November 2024, a link was added to Education Supply Chains – A Better Hiring Toolkit.

This chapter was updated in November 2024.

In November 2024, definitions were updated in line with revised Working Together to Safeguard Children.

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

This chapter was refreshed in November 2024.

In November 2024, information was added in relation to Ofsted and CQC Joint Registration Guidance: Children’s Homes and Health Care.

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

In November 2024, information was added in relation to Ofsted and CQC Joint Registration Guidance: Children’s Homes and Health Care.

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

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

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

In November 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.

Section 2, Allergies was added in November 2023.

In November 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 added.

In November 2023, information was added into Section 2, Health Care Plans in relation to allergies.

In November 2023, information in relation to allergies was added into Section 1, Responsibility and Risk Assessments.

This chapter was refreshed in November 2023, and additional links added in Further Information.

This chapter was added in November 2023.