Amendments

In February 2026, information was added about Pre-application advice on caring for children with complex needs (Ofsted). Information was also added 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 February 2026 to include information for the Restraint and restrictive practices: positive environments for children - Ofsted: social care.

In February 2026, this chapter was refreshed.

This chapter was updated in February 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 February 2026, this chapter was refreshed and a link was 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 February 2026, a new Section 3, Child Financial Exploitation was added. Information was added into Section 2, What is County Lines Offending? Additional guidance was also added in Further Information.

In February 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 refreshed in February 2025.

In February 2025 a link was added in the Further Information section to Ofsted Guidance Children’s Homes that Provide Care and Accommodation for Adults.

In February 2025 this chapter was refreshed in line with Ofsted Guidance and information was added in relation to Ofsted and CQC Joint Registration Guidance: Children’s Homes and Health Care.

In February 2025 information was added in relation to Ofsted and CQC Joint Registration Guidance: Children’s Homes and Health Care.

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

This chapter was refreshed in February 2025..

In February 2025 a link was added to Education Supply Chains – A Better Hiring Toolkit and to DBS Guidance Leaflets

In February 2025 this chapter has been updated in line with updated Prevent Duty Statutory Guidance.

In February 2025 information was added to reflect the reclassification of nitrous oxide as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (as amended).

In February 2025 this chapter was updated in line with the Online Safety Act 2023.

In February 2025 minor amendments were made to definitions in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children.

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

In February 2024, new subsections 2.8, Prospective Staff Spending Time in the Home and 2.9, Carrying Out Interviews were added in line with updated Ofsted guidance.
A link was added to information on DBS Digital Identity Verification Guidance.
It was also 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.

This chapter was added in February 2024.

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

In February 2024, information in relation to allergies was added into Section 1, Responsibility and Risk Assessments.

In February 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 February 2024, 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 also added.

In February 2024, information in relation to allergies was added into Section 2, Health Care Plans.

This chapter was updated in February 2024 to include information from Self-harm: Assessment, Management and Preventing Recurrence NICE Guidance.

In February 2024, a new Section 2, Allergies was added.