Amendments

This chapter was refreshed in January 2026.

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

This chapter was updated in January 2026 to include information for the Restraint and restrictive practices: positive environments for children – Ofsted: social care.

In January 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.

In July 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 July 2025, a new Section 3, Child Financial Exploitation was added.

This chapter was updated in July 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.

This chapter was refreshed in February 2025.

This chapter was refreshed in February 2025.

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

In February 2025 this chapter was refreshed to add additional information in relation to Regulation 45 reviews and reports.

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

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.

This chapter was refreshed in February 2025.

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

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

In January 2025 Section 10, Masturbation was updated to include information around the use of sex toys. 

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