Amendments

This chapter was updated in November 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 November 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 November 2025, Section 3, Home Remedies was amended to include the increasing advisory role pharmacists play regarding over the counter medication. 

In November 2025, a new section was added to the chapter on Child Financial Exploitation.

In November 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 November 2025, this new PDF was added to the manual.

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

This chapter was refreshed in May 2025.

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

In May 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.

In May 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.

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

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

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

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

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

This chapter was refreshed in May 2025.

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

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

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

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

In November 2024, information was added to reflect the reclassification of nitrous oxide as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (as amended).

In November 2024, a link to Ofsted Guidance: Children’s Homes that Provide Care and Accommodation for Adults was added into Further Information.

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

This chapter was refreshed in November 2024.