The DfE has now published the updated Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance, which comes into force from 1 September 2025. While some sections remain unchanged, there are several important updates that DSLs, school leaders and governors need to be aware of.

🔑 Highlights from the changes:

• Part Two – The management of safeguarding

  • New note on the revised RSHE guidance (published July 2025, in force September 2026).

  • Misinformation, disinformation and conspiracy theories now explicitly listed as safeguarding harms.

  • Clarification on antisemitism terminology.

  • New links to Plan Technology for Your School and DfE guidance on generative AI in education (2025) within filtering and monitoring standards.

  • Cybersecurity standards clarified as designed to support schools to improve resilience.

• Attendance and Mental Health

  • ‘Working Together to Safeguard Attendance’ is now statutory guidance.

  • References to funding support for Senior Mental Health Leads training removed (programme ended).

• Looked After Children & SEND

  • Virtual Head role extended to children in kinship care.

  • Language updated in line with the SEND Code of Practice (removal of ‘spectrum’ and ‘disorder’).

  • Note added: revised guidance on gender-questioning children will be published soon.

• Safer Recruitment

  • Outdated TRA Employer Access Service references replaced with new GOV.UK links for barred list and S128 checks.

• Allegations & Staff Conduct

  • Correction to the Information Commissioner’s employment practice guidance.

• Child-on-Child Sexual Violence & Harassment

  • New link to the Lucy Faithfull Foundation’s Shore Space confidential chat service.

• Annexes

  • Updated definition of extremism in line with Prevent guidance.

  • Updated links to CSA Centre, The Children’s Society, and CEOP Education (Thinkuknow retired).

📘 While Part One remains unchanged, these updates strengthen areas around online safety, misinformation, attendance, mental health, and safeguarding language.

Read the full guidance here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68add931969253904d155860/Keeping_children_safe_in_education_from_1_September_2025.pdf