Amendments

In February 2026, this chapter was refreshed to reflect changes to NICE guidance for Self-harm: assessment, management and preventing recurrence and the NHS England Staying safe from suicide guidance.

In February 2026, this chapter was refreshed on the basis of good practice guidance from recent legal judgements. Also amendments were made as the Working Together With Parents Network that supports professionals working with parents with learning disabilities and learning difficulties and their children is now run by Research in Practice, part of the NCB family.

In February 2026, a Section 3, Child Financial Exploitation was added to the chapter.

In February 2026, this chapter was refreshed. In Further Information a link was added to the Barnardo's Beacon Project Resources for working with Harmful Sexual Behaviour

In February 2026, this chapter was refreshed and should be read. In Further Information, a link was added to the Transitional Safeguarding Briefing for Sector Leaders: Strategic Briefing (Research in Practice).

This chapter was updated in August 2025 to bring it into line with Children Missing Education (August 2024). The changes are technical updates only to bring the guidance in line with the Working together to improve attendance statutory guidance and the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024. It also highlights pending legislation: The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill and brings to the attention of readers Ofsted and Care Quality Commission (CQC) Thematic Reviews of Children Not in School in Local Areas which will be undertaken in 2025.

In August 2025, information was added into Section 1, Definition in relation to sexually coerced extortion.

This chapter was refreshed in August 2025. The name was changed and chapter replaced with an updated version.

In August 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 February 2025, links to sources of further information were updated.

In February 2025, a link was added to Education Supply Chains – A Better Hiring Toolkit and to Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets (GOV.UK) in Section 9, Further Information.

In February 2025, this chapter was refreshed.

In February 2025, this chapter was updated in line with the Online Safety Act 2023.

In February 2025, this chapter was revised in line with updated government guidance.

This chapter was updated in February 2025 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets (GOV.UK) in Section 9.1, Substantiated Allegations.

This chapter was refreshed in February 2025.

This chapter was refreshed in February 2025.

This chapter was refreshed in February 2025.

This chapter was refreshed in February 2025.

This chapter was updated in February 2025 to include information on Stalking Protection Orders.

This chapter was refreshed in February 2025.

This chapter was updated in August 2024, a new Section 6 on Non- Fatal Strangulation was added. Definitions were also updated in line with revised Working Together to Safeguard Children which now uses the statutory definition of domestic abuse in Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

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

Section 8, Other Harmful Practices was added in August 2024. 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 was also added on Breast Flattening which is an offence as set out in CPS So-Called Honour-Based Abuse Legal Guidance.

This chapter was added in August 2024.

This chapter was refreshed in August 2024.

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

This chapter was refreshed in August 2024.

This chapter was updated in August 2024.

This chapter was updated in August 2024 to reflect changes from the revised Working Together to Safeguard Children.

This chapter was updated in August 2024.

This chapter was refreshed in August 2024.

This chapter was refreshed in August 2024.

In August 2024, a link was added in Section 1.2.1, Age Assessment to BASW Age Assessment Practice Guidance. In Further Information, a link was added to Operation Innerste Process: Caseworker Guidance. It was also amended to include information on Identifying Suspected Perpetrators of Modern Slavery to Section 2.3, Indicators. 

This chapter was updated in August 2024, to reflect changes from the revised Working Together to Safeguard Children.

This chapter was updated in August 2024 with new guidance from Working Together to Safeguard Children around purpose and function of Child Protection Conferences and the role of the Lead Practitioner.

This chapter was refreshed in August 2024.