The new version of KCSIE came into force on 2 September 2024, and this year there are significantly fewer changes as Ministers updated this guidance “…with a view to providing a more substantively updated document, encompassing wider changes, to be delivered in 2025.”

Most updates have been issued to align with the recent Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) guidance with amendments to definitions, terms and language changes, particularly themes of ‘Early Help’. However, it is still crucial that school staff read the entire updated guidance to:

• Understand the requirements of your role (not just the DSL and IT Support)
• Review, remind yourselves of and refresh existing policies
• Meet the statutory requirement as outlined “It is essential that everybody working in a school or college understands their safeguarding responsibilities. Governing bodies and proprietors should ensure that those staff who work directly with children read at least Part one of this guidance.”

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The key amendments were as follows:

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Safeguarding Information for All Staff

KCSIE 2024 provides an updated definition of ‘safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children’ and has been amended to reflect the duties that relate to school and college staff within the updated ‘Working together to safeguard children 2023’.

Amendments address how some children are treated as adults with additional responsibilities placed on teenagers who are therefore being exploited. The definition also adds emphasis to staff child protection duties applying “whether that is within or outside the home, including online”

Additional definitions were included to remind all staff that “‘Children’ includes everyone under the age of 18” and has a new focus on exploitation as well as abuse and neglect.

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The Management of Safeguarding

• This section highlights the critical importance of recording, holding, using and sharing information effectively under the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR with additional cross-referencing to the Data Protection in Schools toolkit Page 176
• Additional highlights included, the responsibilities of schools around alternative provision “Where a school places a pupil with an alternative provision provider, it continues to be responsible for the safeguarding of that pupil and should be satisfied that the placement meets the pupil’s needs.” Page 47
• The wording has been amended to reflect changes in the legislation – School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024. Page 49

  For more details read: Working Together to Improve School Attendance

• A disclaimer and additional text have been added to comply with gender questioning children guidance terminology. “N.B. This section remains under review, pending the outcome of the gender questioning children guidance consultation, and final gender questioning guidance documents being published.” Page 55

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Safer Recruitment

This section provides a particular focus on ‘Individuals who have lived or worked outside the UK’ Page 78

“Individuals who have lived or worked outside the UK must 93 undergo the same checks as all other staff in schools or colleges. This includes obtaining (via the applicant) an enhanced DBS certificate (including children’s barred list information, for those who will be engaging in regulated activity) even if the individual has never been to the UK. In addition, schools and colleges make any further checks they think appropriate so that any relevant events that occurred outside the UK can be considered.”

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Child-on-child sexual violence and sexual harassment

Further amendments have been provided to define and align with ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023.’  Page 111

Next Steps…

Implementing this updated guidance will require significant effort and resources from schools but it’s essential that you review your current safeguarding policies and procedures, identify gaps, and develop a comprehensive plan for alignment with the new KCSIE 2024 guidance.

At Dataspire, our comprehensive range of services is designed to help schools and educational institutions do just that, ensuring that you remain compliant with the latest safeguarding requirements and creating a robust safeguarding culture that ensures the safety and well-being of every student in your care.

Get in touch with us today using the form below and find out how we can help your school keep children safe in education.