KCSIE 2026: Key updates and implications for DSLs

This webinar provided an overview of the proposed changes to Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2026 and their implications for Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs). Department for Education representatives outlined key updates across all five sections of KCSIE, including the removal of Annex A so that all staff are expected to read Part 1, a stronger emphasis on early identification of safeguarding risks, family help, mental health, serious violence, misogyny, AI-related risks, multi-agency working, and enhanced information sharing.

The session also highlighted significant changes to regulated activity from September 2026, requiring additional safeguarding checks for certain volunteers following the removal of the supervision exemption. Part 5 has been restructured to help schools assess and respond to harmful sexual behaviour using a more evidence-based, continuum approach.

Throughout, speakers emphasised that these are still proposed changes pending publication of the final KCSIE 2026 guidance and encouraged schools to begin considering the potential impact on policies, training, recruitment practices and safeguarding procedures whilst showing insight into the thinking behind the proposed changes.

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