Amendments

In September 2025, this chapter was refreshed 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.

This chapter was updated in September 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 September 2025, this chapter was refreshed to add additional information in relation to Regulation 45 reviews and reports.

In September 2025, Section 3, Home Remedies was amended to include the increasing advisory role pharmacists play regarding over the counter medication.

In September 2025, a new section was added to the chapter on Child Financial Exploitation.

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

In September 2025, a link was added to Young People and Vaping (NHS). 

In September 2025, in Section 6.1, Who the Children’s Home Needs to be Registered With, information was added about Pre-application advice on caring for children with complex needs (Ofsted).

This chapter was refreshed in February 2025.

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

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

In February 2025 this chapter was revised throughout and should be reread.

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

This chapter was refreshed in February 2025.

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

This chapter was refreshed in February 2025 and should be reread.

This chapter was updated in February 2025.

This chapter was refreshed in December 2024 and should be reread.

In September 2024, information on the use of door alarms and CCTV was added into Section 2, Principles. 

In September 2024, a link to Education Supply Chains – A Better Hiring Toolkit was added.

In September 2024, information was added on the work being done by FPP Ltd in supporting our staff within our homes in a therapeutic model of care for our children.

In September 2024, this chapter was updated in line with the Online Safety Act 2023.