KCSIE 2026: Understanding the Latest Safeguarding Updates for Schools & Colleges

Introduction

Last week, the DfE published the 2026 edition of Keeping Children Safe in Education, with the updated guidance taking effect from 1^st September 2026. This year’s update introduces many notable changes; ranging from revised terminology and expanded definitions to more substantial updates and guidance on mental health, harmful sexual behaviours, serious violence, online harms and information sharing. Updates are underpinned by updated and new legislation such as the Crime and Policing Act 2026 and updates to statutory guidance such as Working together to Safeguard Children (March 2026). In this blog, we will take a closer look at some of the more substantial changes.

Terminology Updates

There has been a shift in terminology, which reflects the updates in March to Working Together to Safeguard Children. The guidance has introduced the term ‘family help’ which replaces early help; however, the definition remains the same. Furthermore, we are now seeing the inclusion of terms such as universal services, community-based early help and targeted early help delivered through Family Help.

As with previous versions, staff are expected to be aware of the process from these assessments. Examples of issues staff should be aware of have also been updated, which now include ‘children who are pregnant and/or is a parent’, ‘a child who is at risk of being radicalised into terrorism’ and a child who has ‘exhibited early signs of abusive, violent and/or harmful behaviours.’

This section has now been renamed ‘Support Before Statutory Intervention’

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

There has been a shift in terminology, which reflects the updates in March to Working Together to Safeguard Children. The guidance has introduced the term ‘family help’ which replaces early help; however, the definition remains the same. Furthermore, we are now seeing the inclusion of terms such as universal services, community-based early help and targeted early help delivered through Family Help. As with previous versions, staff are expected to be aware of the process from these assessments. Examples of issues staff should be aware of have also been updated, which now include ‘children who are pregnant and/or is a parent’, ‘a child who is at risk of being radicalised into terrorism’ and a child who has ‘exhibited early signs of abusive, violent and/or harmful behaviours.’ This section has now been renamed ‘Support before Statutory Intervention’

Part 1 for All Staff

Another shift is the removal of Annex A, which was the condensed version of Part 1. All staff, even if their role does not involve direct contact with students, are now expected to read Part 1.

Trainee Teachers

This guidance now includes references to trainee teachers throughout.

Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation & Modern Slavery

Last year exploitation was added to the section around abuse and neglect and this year all staff now need to be aware of the indicators of ‘abuse, neglect, exploitation and modern slavery’.

There have been several clarifications included within this year’s update including, examples of teenage relationship abuse (physical, sexual, emotional and stalking), financial exploitation can be part of criminal exploitation and that emotional abuse can include verbal abuse.

As well as child-on-child abuse, the guidance now acknowledges that children can also cause harm to other family members including their parents. They have used the terms ‘child to parent or care giver abuse.’

Child-on-Child Abuse (Including Harassment & Violence)

The shift in this section is clear from outset with the updated title now including harassment and violence. This section has been substantially re-written and includes the following changes:

• All concerns must be reported to the DSL whether they have occurred on or off-site
• Settings should consider and be alert to when students might be at highest risks e.g. immediately after school.
• Reference to misogyny
• It has been made clear that child-on-child abuse is a safeguarding risk for the victim and the alleged perpetrator
• All staff should know that child-on-child abuse is preventable and that prompt, evidence-based intervention and support can prevent young people from committing abuse or violence.
• Serious physical assault and harm, or the threat of harm with a weapon has been included in the list of different types of child-on-child abuse
  

Child Criminal Exploitation & Child Sexual Exploitation

This section has also been expanded to include that CCE and CSE can be committed by an organised network, or gang and the victim may identify and feel part of this group. Furthermore, CCE or CSE may also include modern slavey and the guidance links to statutory guidance about modern slavery.

Recently, there has been a lot of discussion around the potential criminalisation of victims therefore the guidance now clarifies children who have been criminally and/or sexually exploited should have their vulnerabilities recognised and that they may not recognise that they have been exploited and abused.

Mental Health

This area has been substantially re-written, and it has been clarified that staff need to be aware that mental health problems can develop into safeguarding issues. The guidance now includes a list of potential warning signs and that any interventions offered should be safe, effective and need and age appropriate. It also makes it clear that if staff feel a young person is in danger they can call 999 or arrange for the student to be taken to A&E by a parent/carer or another suitable person.

This section has been expanded and updated in Part 2. It reinforces the importance of whole-school mental health approaches, the role of Mental Health Leads, and collaboration with parents, Mental Health Support Teams and external services to ensure children receive the right support at the right time.

Serious Violence

Serious violence has also been substantially re-written. Within this section it now includes:

• Examples of serious violence
• The links to child criminal exploitation
• At risk students e.g. those with a disrupted education

Staff are expected to report any concerns about a child carrying or the intent to carry a weapon to the DSL and the DSL should assess the risk to both the pupil and others in the school. Where appropriate a support plan should be implemented and interventions to de-escalate peer conflict.

Sport

Within Part 2: The Management of Safeguarding, an additional section on sport has been included. KCSIE 2026 reinforces that schools can continue to organise certain sports by biological sex where this is necessary for safety or where physical differences could affect fair competition.

Where no safety concerns exist, schools should consider individual requests on a case-by-case basis, balancing the child’s best interests with the need to maintain safe, fair and inclusive PE and sporting environments for all pupils.

Information Sharing

In line with the ongoing consultation around information sharing, KCSIE 2026 has added more information around this. The guidance emphasises that schools and colleges should share information that is relevant, necessary and clearly contextualised to help manage safeguarding risks. Professional judgement should be used to ensure information is proportionate, while avoiding the omission of details that may be important for a child’s safety.

The introduction of a new information-sharing duty (more specific guidance is due following the consultation) is also intended to give staff greater confidence to share safeguarding information appropriately and without delay.

Generative AI

There have been further references included around generative AI and the guidance now includes information and resources on the safe and effective use of AI in education. Find out more: Generative artificial intelligence (AI) in education - GOV.UK

Filtering & Monitoring

Schools have been expected for several years now to have effective monitoring and filtering systems in place. KCSIE 2026 now clarifies a review of their effectiveness should be carried out at least once every academic year. This should be completed by the member of Leadership who is responsible for monitoring and filtering – in schools this is most likely to be the DSL. It is vital that a record of these checks is kept.

Cyber Security

KCSIE 2026 places a stronger emphasis on cyber security as a safeguarding responsibility, recognising the role that data protection and digital resilience play in keeping children safe. Schools and colleges are encouraged to follow the Cyber Security Standards for Schools and Colleges to reduce the risk of cyber incidents, data breaches and disruption, while ensuring robust systems are in place to protect personal information and support effective safeguarding practices.

Mobile Phone Policy

All schools are now expected to be mobile phone free by default and the statutory guidance on mobile phones in schools explicitly states that school should have a mobile phone policy in place.

Reasonable Force

This has been updated in line with the new guidance on restrictive intervention guidance.

Alternative Provision

KCSIE 2026 links to the voluntary national standards for non-school alternative provision. However, more importantly, the guidance clarifies that schools remain ‘ultimately responsible for the provision they commission’. Schools must continue to carry out their safeguarding checks and complete their own due diligence. Reviews of alternative provisions used by schools should happen at least half-termly with the purpose of ensuring the young person is attending regularly and that the provision remains safe and meets the child’s needs.

Safeguarding Children with Medical Conditions

The guidance around supporting children with medical conditions has been updated and schools need to have a separate allergy policy. KCSIE 2026 clarifies that incidents involving a pupil’s medical condition or allergies do not automatically require a safeguarding referral. However, where concerns arise that a child may be at greater risk of neglect, abuse or exploitation, for example, if vital medical information is withheld or essential medication is repeatedly not provided, safeguarding action may be necessary.

The update reinforces the importance of effective communication, appropriate medical support and early identification of wider welfare concerns.

Children Who Are Questioning Their Gender

KCSIE 2026 introduces detailed guidance on supporting children who are questioning their gender, emphasising that schools should not initiate discussions around social transition and must carefully consider any requests on a case-by-case basis. The guidance reinforces the importance of safeguarding, parental involvement, accurate record-keeping and ensuring decisions are made in the best interests of the child.

It also clarifies that access to toilets, changing rooms, residential accommodation and certain single-sex sports should remain based on biological sex, while schools continue to promote inclusion, flexibility and a zero-tolerance approach to bullying.

Regulations & Safeguarding Requirements Relating to School Premises

KCSIE 2026 now provides greater clarity on the use of toilets, changing rooms and showers, stating that children should use facilities designated for their biological sex. Where a child is uncomfortable using these facilities, schools should consider alternative arrangements, such as individual lockable spaces, while maintaining single-sex provision. Schools are also expected to assess safeguarding risks, keep clear records of decisions, and regularly review arrangements to protect the safety, privacy and dignity of all pupils.

Boarding & Residential Accomodation

KCSIE 2026 provides clearer expectations for overnight and residential accommodation, stating that pupils must not share sleeping arrangements with children of the opposite biological sex. Where a pupil is uncomfortable sharing accommodation with others of the same sex, schools should explore suitable alternative arrangements that protect the safety, privacy, comfort and dignity of all children. Any decisions should be made in line with safeguarding duties, Equality Act obligations and guidance on requests relating to social transition.

Boarding & Residential Accommodation

KCSIE 2026 reflects changes introduced by the Crime and Policing Act 2026, expanding the definition of regulated activity for volunteers in schools and colleges. Volunteers who frequently teach, train, instruct or supervise children, work more than three days in a 30-day period, or supervise children overnight, will now require an enhanced DBS check with children's barred list information.

The update also reinforces that volunteers who have not undergone the appropriate checks must never be left unsupervised or allowed to work in regulated activity, strengthening safeguarding arrangements across education settings.

Child-on-Child Sexual Harassment & Sexual Abuse

KCSIE 2026 strengthens guidance on harmful sexual behaviour (HSB), sexual harassment and sexual violence, reinforcing a zero-tolerance approach and making clear that such behaviours should never be dismissed as ‘banter’ or part of growing up. Schools and colleges are expected to recognise the continuum of harmful sexual behaviour, intervene early to prevent escalation, and respond to all concerns, whether online or offline, through a safeguarding lens.

The update also highlights the importance of supporting both victims and children displaying harmful behaviours, while addressing underlying issues such as misogyny, trauma and vulnerability.

Conclusion

KCSIE 2026 reinforces that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and provides greater clarity in areas such as mental health, harmful sexual behaviour, information sharing, cyber security, alternative provision and support for children who are questioning their gender. While some changes reflect existing good practice, others introduce new expectations that schools and colleges will need to implement before September 2026.

For Designated Safeguarding Leads and other leaders, now is the time to:

• Review safeguarding policies including mobile phone policies
• Review safeguarding procedures
• Update staff training programmes
• Ensure all staff are prepared to read and understand the revised Part 1
• Check that recording and information-sharing processes remain fit for purpose
• Consider when to review and/or audit cyber security and monitoring and filtering systems

Taking a proactive approach over the coming months will help ensure schools are fully compliant with the new requirements and, most importantly, continue to provide safe environments where children can thrive.