KCSIE 2026 has arrived.
The Department for Education has published the Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2026 Consultation Response, confirming a number of important changes ahead of implementation in September 2026.
It is important to note that the draft KCSIE 2026 has been published for information only to support schools and colleges in preparing for implementation. KCSIE 2025 remains the statutory guidance until September 1, 2026.
Click here to view the updated guidance.
While many of the updates focus on strengthening existing practice, there are some notable developments, including:
- Information sharing and the transfer of child protection records
- Serious violence as a safeguarding issue
- AI, cyber security, filtering and monitoring
- The role of parents when children are distressed
- Safer recruitment and regulated activity
- Harmful sexual behaviour, sexual harassment and sexual violence
- The expectations placed on Designated Safeguarding Leads.
The consultation response also provides a useful insight into the future direction of safeguarding policy, with themes including domestic abuse, affluent neglect, online harms, grooming gangs, teenage relationship abuse, sextortion, gaming platforms and verbal abuse.
For safeguarding leaders, DSLs, governors and senior leadership teams, now is the time to start reviewing what these changes mean for policy, procedure, training and practice ahead of September.
SACPA is running a webinar reviewing the changes on August 12. Further webinars are planned for August 27 and September 2. Find out more and book here.
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