Amendments

In February 2026, a new section was added to the chapter on Child Financial Exploitation. Information was also added into Section 2, What is County Lines Offending? And additional guidance 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.

In August 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 August 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 August 2025 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets (GOV.UK) in Section 3.3, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks.

In August 2025, a new Section 4, Note on Language was added to the chapter.

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

In August 2025, information was added in relation to sexually coerced extortion.

This chapter was refreshed in August 2025.

This chapter was refreshed in August 2025.

In February 2025, this chapter was updated in line with Ofsted Guidance Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF): Supported Accommodation for Looked After Children and Care Leavers Aged 16 and 17.

In February 2025, this chapter was updated in line with Ofsted Guidance Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF): Supported Accommodation for Looked After Children and Care Leavers Aged 16 and 17.

In February 2025, this chapter was updated in line with Ofsted Guidance Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF): Supported Accommodation for Looked After Children and Care Leavers Aged 16 and 17.

This chapter was updated in February 2025, with a link to the Surveillance and Monitoring chapter in Section 1, Principles.

This chapter was updated in February 2025, in line with Ofsted Guidance Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF): Supported Accommodation for Looked After Children and Care Leavers Aged 16 and 17.

In February 2025, this chapter was updated in line with Ofsted Guidance Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF): Supported Accommodation for Looked After Children and Care Leavers Aged 16 and 17.

In February 2025, this chapter was updated in line with Ofsted Guidance Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF): Supported Accommodation for Looked After Children and Care Leavers Aged 16 and 17.

In February 2025, this chapter was updated in line with Ofsted Guidance Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF): Supported Accommodation for Looked After Children and Care Leavers Aged 16 and 17.

In February 2025, this chapter was updated in line with Ofsted Guidance Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF): Supported Accommodation for Looked After Children and Care Leavers Aged 16 and 17.

In February 2025, this chapter was updated in line with Ofsted Guidance Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF): Supported Accommodation for Looked After Children and Care Leavers Aged 16 and 17.

In February 2025, this chapter was updated in line with Ofsted Guidance Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF): Supported Accommodation for Looked After Children and Care Leavers Aged 16 and 17.

This chapter was refreshed in February 2025.

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

In February 2025, a link was added to Education Supply Chains – A Better Hiring Toolkit.

This chapter was refreshed in February 2025

This chapter was refreshed in August 2024.

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

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