Proposed Changes to Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE): 2026 Consultation

The Department for Education (“DfE”) has launched a consultation on proposed amendments to Keeping Children Safe in Education (“KCSIE”). The statutory guidance to support schools and colleges in matters of safeguarding.

Published on 12 February 2026, the consultation invites views from educational organisations, with responses required to be submitted by 22 April 2026.

KCSIE sets out the responsibilities of schools and colleges throughout England to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people under the age of 18. The proposed amendments aim to improve clarity around legal obligations and strengthen practices across education settings. 

Key proposed changes:

Part one: Safeguarding information for staff

Part one outlines the core safeguarding knowledge that staff need to know, what they need to look out for and where they should report their concerns.  Annex A was introduced in 2021 which was created as a summary specifically for staff who do not work directly with children.

The DfE now propose to remove Annex A on the basis that all staff should have a broader understanding of safeguarding issues. The changes seek to align KCSIE with Working Together to Safeguard Children, promoting consistency across safeguarding systems and clarifying the school’s role within multi-agency arrangements.

Additional proposed amendments relate to Early Help and behaviour in schools, Child Sexual Exploitation and serious violence amongst children. The DfE have also clarified expectations from staff who deal with safeguarding concerns or allegations against another member of staff, including the expectation that headteachers or principals should consider whether a referral to the Local Authority Designated Officer (“LADO”) is appropriate.

Part two: The management of safeguarding

Part two focusses on the responsibilities of governing bodies to safeguard and promote the welfare of children along with guidance on what safeguarding policies and procedures they should have in place.

The proposed changes aim to provide a clearer high-level overview of the relationship between safeguarding and mental health. This includes cases where serious risks may arise, such as self-harm, eating disorders or suicidal ideation amongst young people. 

While KCSIE is not intended to be the primary source of mental health guidance, it recognises that issues such as self-harm, eating disorders, and suicidal ideation may constitute safeguarding concerns. The amendment references guidance relating to children questioning their gender, opportunities to teach safeguarding and additional paragraphs addressing the use of artificial intelligence (“AI”) within the school system. These changes are intended to support schools in responding confidently and compassionately.

The DfE is seeking feedback on whether the revised wording adequately clarifies the role of schools and colleges in responding to pupils’ mental health needs.

Part three: safer recruitment

Part three provides schools and colleges with guidance on statutory requirements and the importance of safeguarding and recruitment.

The proposed changes reflect feedback from key stakeholders, schools and colleges across the education sector. They include the introduction of a single central record template which meets KCSIE statutory requirements, clarification around DBS checks for individuals undertaking work experience and other minor revisions intended to improve clarity.

Part four: Safeguarding concerns or allegations about staff

Part four addresses procedures for managing cases of allegations made against a person who poses a risk of harm to children.  Guidance should be followed when dealing with allegations against anyone in the school or college including supply teachers, volunteers and contractors.

The proposed amendment clarifies that any allegations involving trainee teachers should be managed in the same way as allegations concerning supply teachers or contracted staff. This aims to ensure consistency in safeguarding responses across all roles within education settings.

Part five: Child-on-child sexual harassment and sexual violence

Part five sets out expectations for governing bodies in responding appropriately to reports of child-on-child sexual harassment and sexual violence.

The DfE proposes restructuring this section to present a clearer progression of behaviours, beginning with early indicators of harmful sexual behaviour, through to harassment, and ultimately to sexual violence.  The revised structure is intended to enhance clarity and guidance for professionals to navigate when addressing safeguarding concerns.

Additional areas for consultation  

The DfE is also seeking views from those working in the education sector to expand its evidence base in several areas where development may be required. These are areas in which the DfE have been asked to consider making changes, but their current knowledge is limited. These include:

• Supporting staff in understanding and responding to evolving risks posed by AI technology
• Whether there is a need for KCSIE to be available in British Sign Language
• Whether clearer advice should be included regarding Children Affected by Domestic Abuse
• Safeguarding risks associated with organised networks and grooming gangs
• Risks associated with online gaming platforms
• Specialist advice on harmful sexual behaviour including behaviours which are not necessarily criminal in nature
• Clearer expectations around self-referral of staff
• Guidance on teenage relationship abuse and how staff can recognise and respond to it
• Clearer examples of verbal abuse
• Practical steps to better support DSLs and their deputies in school

Conclusion

The proposed changes to KCSIE represent significant developments in the safeguarding framework for schools and colleges. By enhancing clarity, addressing emerging risks, and reinforcing expectations across all staff roles, the updates aim to strengthen safeguarding practice across the education sector.

Education providers are encouraged to engage with the consultation process to ensure the final guidance continues to support effective safeguarding practices across all education sectors.

The revised KCSIE guidance is expected to be implemented from September 2026.

Shannon Boyce - File Handler