KCSiE Consultation 2026: Your guide to the changes
The consultation on Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026 is open until 22nd April and there are a whole array of changes and clarifications to the guidance.
Safeguarding Network have pulled together a full guide to the changes.
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Core safeguarding processes remain the same, but there’s a stronger emphasis on community based early help (distinguished now from the more targeted Family Help), lots of clarifications to definitions to improve focus and practice and stronger interlinkage with modern slavery when young people are exploited.
It is proposed KCSiE also incorporates the guidance for working with children who are questioning their gender, and Baroness Casey comments she thinks this provides a robust underpinning of the safety required for all children.
There’s clarification that DSLs need skills and experience as well as status and authority (!) and work to improve early notice to prospective schools of potential issues when children are moving between schools.
NEW - KCSiE 2026 Implementation Webinars
We’re running a series of webinars discussing key areas of the new KCSiE guidance. Find out more about the first two webinars and book your place.
Prevention, necessity and proportionality - the implications of the new guidance on restrictive interventions: 30th April 2026, 4pm-5pm
Helping families - what staff need to know: 8 May 2026, 12pm-1pm
Not a member?
Our member resources are perfect for such a large array of changes. Members can expect bitesize staff training, our KCSiE knowledge check to ensure the learning has embedded, an action plan to complete and the opportunity to pick up the phone and talk things through with our supervisors or consultant team.
Join Safeguarding Network today for immediate access to the comprehensive array of resources to support you, your setting and your children and young people.
- Our 2-year KCSiE staff safeguarding curriculum containing 20 monthly DSL Resource and Training Packs.
- Whole school safeguarding training pack - up to date and ready to deliver.
- Discounted KCSiE online Knowledge Check for all staff.
- Discounted CPD training courses and eLearning modules.
- Free webinars and expert advice on safeguarding issues.
- Free initial safeguarding advice and support.
- Free membership of the Association of Child Protection Professionals (worth £330).
- Free use of SWGfL's Whisper anonymous reporting tool.
We offer a variety of membership plans, packages and reviews to help you best meet the needs and budget of your setting.