Amendments

In November 2025, 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.

This chapter was updated in November 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. 

This chapter was revised in November 2025.

This chapter was updated in November 2025, to include information for the Restraint and restrictive practices: positive environments for children - Ofsted: social care.

In November 2025, minor revisions were made to this chapter to clarify procedures.

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

This new chapter was added to the manual in November 2025.

This chapter was updated with minor revisions in November 2025.

In November 2025, this chapter was revised to update information on assessments, and guidance on Regulation 45 visits was added.

This chapter was updated in November 2025, to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets - GOV.UK in the Related Guidance Section. The minor changes have been made to clarify meaning at various points in this chapter.

In November 2025, minor revisions and updates were made to this chapter.

In November 2025, the link for reporting Health and Safety incidents was updated.

This chapter was updated with minor revisions in November 2025.

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

This chapter was revised in May 2025. A new Section 3, Child Financial Exploitation was added.

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

In May 2025, information was added in relation to Ofsted and CQC Joint Registration Guidance: Children’s Homes and Health Care. Information has been added about Pre-application advice on caring for children with complex needs (Ofsted).

In May 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 May 2025, this chapter was revised 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 extensively revised in May 2025 in line with updated Prevent Duties.

This chapter was revised and the terminology updated in May 2025.

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

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

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

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

This chapter was revised in May 2025.

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

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

In November 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). 

This chapter was refreshed in November 2024.

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