The Department for Education (DfE) published an updated draft version of the statutory safeguarding and child protection guidance for schools in England, Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE) in May 2024.¹

Keeping children safe in education 2024 is currently for information only, pending publication of the final version, which is expected to come into force in September 2024.

The guidance sets out what schools and colleges in England must do to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people under the age of 18.

Our briefing sets out changes to the guidance.

Proposed updates for KCSIE 2024 include:

• amending the definition of ‘safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children’ in line with Working together to safeguard children 2023²
• additional information around when children may require early help, in accordance with the guidance in Working together
• a recommendation for school staff, governors and trustees to use the DfE Data Protection guidance for schools³ to understand data protection
• clarification that schools continue to be responsible for the safeguarding of pupils they place with an alternative provision provider.

Updates made to KCSIE 2023 included:

• clarification around the roles and responsibilities of education staff in relation to filtering and monitoring
• clarification that being absent, as well as missing, from education can be warning sign of a range of safeguarding concerns, including sexual abuse, sexual exploitation or child criminal exploitation
• additional information on online pre-recruitment checks for shortlisted candidates
• information on responding to allegations related to organisations or individuals using school premises.

Updates made to KCSIE 2022 included:

• incorporating the DfE’s advice on Sexual violence and sexual harassment between children in schools and colleges⁴
• setting out the safeguarding implications for schools of human rights and equality legislation
• providing more information on managing low level concerns
• reinforcing the importance of talking to parents about children’s access to online sites when away from school.