Amendments

In January 2026, in section 6.5 Moving and Handling and Postural Care, information has been added on the importance of good postural care for some children to reduce their health risks and improve their quality of life.

In January 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, their rights, and what to do if the standards are not met.

In January 2026, Section 3, Home Remedies, was amended to include the growing advisory role pharmacists play regarding over-the-counter medication.

This chapter was updated in January 2026 to include information for the Restraint and restrictive practices: positive environments for children – Ofsted: social care.

This chapter was updated in July 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 July 2025, a link was added to Young People and Vaping (NHS).

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

In July 2025, a new Section 3, Child Financial Exploitation was added.

In July 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 July 2025, this chapter was revised 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 July 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 July 2025, information was added about Pre-application advice on caring for children with complex needs (Ofsted).

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

This chapter was updated in January 2025, to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets - GOV.UK in the Related Guidance Section.

This chapter was revised and updated to reflect updated Prevent Duty Statutory Guidance.in January 2025.

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

This chapter was updated in January 2025, to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets - GOV.UK. 

This chapter was revised throughout in January 2025.

This chapter was revised and updated in January 2025.

This chapter was revised in January 2025.

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

This chapter was revised in July 2024 with additional information about the potential risk of vaping.

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

In July 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 July 2024, Section 2.2, Appointment of Manager was updated in line with updated Ofsted Guidance – Social Care Common Inspection Framework: Children’s Homes.

In July 2024, Section 8, Other Harmful Practices was added. The Health and Care Act 2022 has made it illegal to carry out, offer or aid and abet virginity testing or hymenoplasty in any part of the UK. It is also illegal for UK nationals and residents to do these things outside the UK. Information has also been added on Breast Flattening which is an offence as set out in CPS So-Called Honour-Based Abuse Legal Guidance.

This chapter was revised in July 2024, in line with the Online Safety Act 2023.

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

In July 2024, Section 2.8, Prospective Staff Spending Time in the Home and Section 2.9, Carrying Out Interviews was added, in line with updated Ofsted guidance.

Links have been added to information on DBS Digital Identity Verification Guidance and Education Supply Chains – A Better Hiring Toolkit.

In July 2024, a link was added in the Further Information section to Ofsted Guidance Children’s Homes that Provide Care and Accommodation for Adults.