The latest version of Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE) was released on 24 May. While it's currently for informational purposes only, the final version will come into force on 1 September. This year's updates are minimal, but it's still important for schools to be aware of them and make sure policies and procedures are updated.
The 12-week call for evidence for KCSIE 2025 closed on 21 June. The purpose of the call was to provide more substantial updates that would be implemented in 2025.
What are the key changes for 2024?
One positive development is that many updates ensure KCSIE aligns with the Working together to safeguard children 2023 guidance. These updates, which mostly amend definitions, terms and language, and link to new resources, reinforce information provided in previous guidance.
Revised definition of safeguarding
The definition of 'safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children' now aligns with the updates in Working together to safeguard children 2023. The new definition includes early intervention, protection from harm, online and offline, and promoting the best outcomes for all children.
Key points are:
- Providing help and support to meet the needs of children as soon as problems emerge.
- Protecting children from maltreatment at home, whether that's within or outside the home, including online.
Early help
Early help has been broadened to include a wider range of concerns. The new listing now includes:
- Frequently go missing from education, home or care.
- Have experienced multiple suspensions or are at risk of permanent exclusion.
- Have a parent or carer in custody or are affected by parental offending.
Abuse, neglect and exploitation
A welcomed update is the inclusion of 'exploitation' in the statutory guidance. The headings now reflect the potential for abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The definition of abuse has expanded to highlight that witnessing the ill-treatment of others, such as domestic abuse, is harmful to children.
Terminology change – 'deliberately missing education'
The term 'deliberately missing education' has now been replaced with 'unexplainable and/or persistent absences from education'. This change acknowledges that children missing school may be at risk of harm and can serve as a warning sign for various safeguarding concerns.
Key points to remember:
- A paragraph has been included in the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR to comply with DPA/UK GDPR requirements.
- New text added to ensure schools understand that they're responsible for any pupil attending alternative provision.
- Holding and sharing information has been added for designated safeguarding leads.
Still under review:
- Preventing radicalisation.
- Supporting children who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or questioning their gender.
What does this mean for our training courses?
Our courses are continually being reviewed to reflect best practice and already cover the major topics included in KCSIE 2024. We're currently making sure all updates will be included where appropriate throughout our courses. The Child Protection Refresher course will be rebuilt, and there will be new KCSIE 2024 questionnaires.
If your school subscribes to Tes Safeguarding, you'll automatically get access to the latest versions of all our courses as soon as they're launched.
If you're not a subscriber, learn more about Tes Safeguarding and how it can help your school keep all students safe.