The Department for Education (DfE) has published the 2025 update to the Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) statutory guidance. This is another reminder that safeguarding never stands still – and neither can schools.

The new guidance came into effect this week. While most changes are technical, the emphasis on online safety and the addition of new resources for schools and teachers stand out as key themes.

Key changes in the 2025 KCSIE Guidance

1. Online safety and technology

• Stronger focus on online risks such as misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories.
• New DfE self-assessment tool to help schools meet filtering and monitoring standards.
• Link to the DfE’s AI in Education guidance to support safe technology use.

2. Resources for supporting children

• Reference to the Lucy Faithfull Foundation’s Shore Space – a resource for young people worried about sexual thoughts or behaviours.

3. Virtual School Head (‘VSH’)

• Amendments to reflect the non-statutory responsibility of VSHs for the educational achievement of children in kinship care.

4. Alternative provision

• Clearer expectations on checks schools must carry out before and during engagement with alternative provision, ensuring pupil safety and placement suitability (in line with the February 2025 Alternative Provision guidance).

5. Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE)

• With the September 2026 deadline for implementing updated RSHE guidance, KCSIE 2025 directs schools to the DfE one-stop RSHE hub.
• The hub includes teacher training modules and implementation support on topics such as digital safety (AI, deepfakes, online harms), misogyny, gender, and mental health.

6. Gender questioning guidance

• KCSIE notes that government guidance on gender questioning children will be published soon.
• In the meantime, schools are directed to Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance for key considerations.

7. SEND language updates

• Adjustments to terminology, for example changing “autism spectrum disorder” to “Autism.”

Action points for schools

To remain compliant and proactive, schools should:

• Update safeguarding policies (e.g. Child Protection, Online Safety, Attendance, Alternative Provision, Safer Recruitment, and acceptable use/AI policies).
• Review filtering and monitoring systems and complete the new technology self-assessment.
• Plan for RSHE transition by September 2026.
• Stay alert to further DfE updates, particularly on gender questioning.

Why early action matters

By embedding these updates into your safeguarding framework now, schools can demonstrate:

• Compliance with statutory guidance.
• A proactive approach to online and offline risks.
• A safeguarding culture that is alive, responsive, and forward-looking.

If you have any questions or need any support regarding the new KCSIE guidance, please contact the Geldards Schools Team below