Amendments

In June 2026, information was added as the government has extended free NHS services to care leavers with free prescriptions, dental and eye care services up to the age of 25.

In June 2026, this chapter was updated to provide a link to the Information Commissioners Office ‘Better Records Together’.

In June 2026, this chapter was updated to contain information from the Mental Health Foundation 2003, NICE guidance for Self-harm: assessment, management and preventing recurrence and the NHS England: Staying safe from suicide guidance. Additional website links were also added.

In June 2026, information was added into Section 2, What is County Lines Offending? And additional guidance was added in Further Information.

In June 2026, this chapter was updated to reflect the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 and additional further information links.

In June 2026, information was added as the government has extended health services and other entitlements to care leavers.

In June 2026, this chapter was updated to include the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.

In June 2026, a link was added in Section 9, Further Information, to the Children’s Commissioners’ guidance ’What I wish my parents or carers knew…’: A guide for parents and carers on managing children’s digital lives. A link was also added on screen time and online harms to help inform conversations with families and guide clinical practice across the UK.

In June 2026, this chapter was updated to provide links to RIDDOR.

In June 2026, this chapter was updated to contain additional information on recruiting people who have lived overseas and on the DBS update service.

In December 2025, in Section 6.5, Moving and Handling and Postural Care, information was added on the importance for some children of good postural care to reduces their health risks and improve their quality of life.

In December 2025, this chapter was refreshed. Section 3, Home Remedies was amended to include the increasing advisory role pharmacists play regarding over the counter medication.

This chapter was updated in December 2025 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 December 2025, a new section was added to the chapter on Child Financial Exploitation.

This chapter was updated in December 2025 to include information for the Restraint and restrictive practices: positive environments for children – Ofsted: social care.

In December 2025, this chapter was refreshed and a link 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 June 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.

This chapter was updated in June 2025 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets - GOV.UK in the Related Guidance Section.

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

In June 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.

This chapter was updated in June 2025 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets - GOV.UK. 

In June 2025, information was added into Section 1, Risks in relation to sexually coerced extortion.

In June 2025, a link was added to Young People and Vaping (NHS).

This chapter was refreshed in June 2025.

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

This chapter was refreshed in December 2024.

In December 2024, definitions were updated in line with revised Working Together to Safeguard Children.

In December 2024, minor amendments were made to definitions in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children.

In December 2024, a link to Education Supply Chains - A Better Hiring Toolkit was added.

In December 2024, this chapter was updated in line with the Online Safety Act 2023.