What’s New in Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2025 – And How to Get Your Staff Ready for September
As schools gear up for the new academic year, there’s an important update all safeguarding leads and school leaders need to know about: Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2025. The statutory guidance, released in July 2025, comes into effect on 1 September 2025, so now is the perfect time to review your safeguarding policies and staff training.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the key changes and a handy resource to help you deliver compliant training quickly.
Key Changes in KCSIE 2025
1. Online Safety: Expanding the Definition of Harm
The guidance now explicitly recognises misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories as safeguarding risks. Schools must ensure staff are alert to these online harms when protecting pupils.
2. Generative AI and Technology Tools
There’s new advice on using AI safely in schools, linked to the DfE’s “Plan Technology for Your School” tool. This helps schools assess and strengthen filtering and monitoring systems, including guidance on generative AI products.
3. Attendance and Alternative Provision
Attendance guidance from Working Together to Improve School Attendance (2024) is now statutory. Schools must work closely with children’s services when absences raise safeguarding concerns.
Alternative provision is also under the spotlight: schools must obtain written confirmation of safer recruitment for AP staff, review placements regularly, and maintain oversight of attendance and safety.
4. Virtual School Heads and Kinship Care
The role of Virtual School Heads now includes promoting the educational achievement of children in kinship care, not just those in local authority care.
5. Terminology Updates and Technical Corrections
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“Autism spectrum disorder” is now simplified to “autism”.
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Safer recruitment references have been updated.
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Minor corrections include updated resources like the Shore Space (Lucy Faithfull Foundation) and support from The Children’s Society.
6. Looking Ahead
Revised guidance on RSHE (Relationships, Sex and Health Education) and gender-questioning may be published over the summer and will be signposted in the final September 2025 version.
Make Your September INSET Easy with Edushield
Preparing for your annual safeguarding CPD doesn’t have to be stressful. Edushield offers a ready-made, editable slide deck fully aligned with KCSIE 2025, ideal for staff INSET sessions in September.
This ready-to-use deck ensures your team receives up-to-date training without you spending hours preparing slides. It’s a convenient, reliable option for safeguarding leads who want to streamline their September CPD.
Quick Summary
| Area | What’s New in KCSIE 2025 |
|---|---|
| Online Harms | Misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories added |
| Technology & AI | Added AI safety guidance and filtering/monitoring tool links |
| Attendance & AP | Statutory attendance guidance; stronger AP oversight |
| Virtual School Heads | Expanded role to include kinship care |
| Terminology & Resources | Autism simplified; updated safer recruitment links; new support resources |
| Staff Training | Edushield’s slide deck available for September INSET |
Next Steps for Schools
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Review and update your safeguarding policy to reflect the new guidance.
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Deliver September CPD using Edushield’s ready-made slide deck.
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Keep an eye out for further guidance on RSHE and gender-questioning.
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Ensure DSLs, SLTs, and governors are fully briefed on the updates.
Keeping your staff informed and prepared has never been easier – or more important.