Changes to statutory guidance – Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE)

Education 27th April 2018 Return to News

In September 2018 the key Department for Education guidance, Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE) will be updated. Here is what we know so far.

Keeping children safe in education September 2016

Keeping children safe in education sets out the legal duties that schools and colleges must comply with, together with good practice guidance on what schools and colleges should do in order to keep children safe.

The guidance is being updated to help schools and colleges better understand what they are required to do by law with regards to safeguarding, and also what they should do to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

There was an open consultation about the statutory guidance which closed on 22nd February 2018.

Following the consultation process, the government propose to update Keeping children safe in education in September 2018.

Key proposals

The key areas subject to change are:

improve the effectiveness of what to do if you have concerns about a child section focusing on; early help and children missing education- such as holding more than one emergency contact number.
improve the effectiveness of the online safety section.
provide clarity on the importance of making the link between restraint and safeguarding, this is particularly important for children with SEND.
improve clarity on the safer recruitment section:

clarity of information that should be held on Single central record
clarity on pre-appointment checks (DBS, references)
additional information on children taking part in any school exchange.

improve clarity in allegations of abuse against teachers and other school staff section.

Additional information will also be provided on peer-on-peer abuse, criminal exploitation of children and vulnerable adults county lines.

Comments about the new sexual violence and sexual harassment guidance that was published in December 2017 and the length of the current KCSIE statutory guidance were also included in the consultation.

Training to evidence compliance

All EduCare’s courses that reflect the Keeping children safe in education statutory guidance will all be updated as soon as the legislation updates are confirmed. Our customers will all be able to access the updated courses and ensure they are up-to-date and compliant.

Get in touch to find out more.