Amendments

This chapter was refreshed in February 2026.

In February 2026, information was added into Section 2, What is County Lines Offending? With additional guidance added in Further Information.

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

In February 2026, in Section 6.5, Moving and Handling and Postural Care, information was added on the importance for some children of good postural care to reduces their health risks and improve their quality of life.

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

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

In August 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 refreshed in August 2025. A new Section 3, Child Financial Exploitation was added.

This chapter was refreshed in August 2025.

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

This chapter was refreshed in August 2025.

This chapter was updated in August 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.

Section 3, Home Remedies was amended in August 2025 to include the increasing advisory role pharmacists play re over the counter medication.

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

In February 2025, a link to Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets (GOV.UK) was added.

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

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

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

This chapter has been refreshed in February 2025.

This chapter has been refreshed in February 2025.

This chapter was refreshed in February 2025.

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

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

In August 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 August 2024, a new 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 was also added on Breast Flattening which is an offence as set out in CPS So-Called Honour-Based Abuse Legal Guidance.

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

This chapter was refreshed in August 2024.

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