Amendments

In June 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 June 2025, a new Section 3, Child Financial Exploitation was added.

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

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

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

In June 2025, information was added about Pre-application advice on caring for children with complex needs (Ofsted).

In June 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.

This chapter was refreshed in June 2025.

In June 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 December 2024.

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

This chapter was refreshed in December 2024.

This chapter was refreshed in December 2024.

This chapter was refreshed in December 2024.

This chapter was refreshed throughout in December 2024.

This chapter was updated in December 2024 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets (GOV.UK).

This chapter was updated in December 2024 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets (GOV.UK).

In December 2024, information was added in relation to Ofsted and CQC Joint Registration Guidance: Children’s Homes and Health Care.

This chapter was refreshed in June 2024.

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

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

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

In June 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 December 2023, a new section was added on Other Harmful Practices. 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 has also been added on Breast Flattening which is an offence as set out in CPS So-Called Honour-Based Abuse Legal Guidance.

This chapter was refreshed in December 2023 and additional links were added into Further Information.

This chapter was updated in December 2023.

Section 2.3, Appointment of Manager was updated in December 2023 in line with the updated Ofsted Guidance - Social Care Common Inspection Framework: Children’s Homes.

In December 2023, new subsections were added into Section 2, Safe Recruitment and Employment Checks, on Prospective Staff Spending Time in the Home and Carrying Out Interviews, in line with updated Ofsted guidance.

A link to DBS Digital Identity Verification Guidance was also added.