Keeping Children Safe in Education: Proposed updates for 2026

Mental health

One section of KCSIE which is subject to significant proposed change is that relating to mental health. Pursuant to KCSIE 2026, potential warning signs which staff should be aware of include:

• Significant changes in behaviour

• Ongoing difficulty sleeping

• Withdrawing from social situations

• Not wanting to do things they usually like

• Physical signs of self-harm or neglecting themselves

As well as offering support and vital early intervention, there is an additional requirement for staff to call 999 or take a child to A&E immediately if they feel that a child is in danger (or call 111 if it is not an emergency).

Serious violence

In addition, serious violence has been subject to significant updates. Currently, staff are required to be aware of the indicators of serious violent crime. However, KCSIE 2026 requires schools to consider serious violence more closely.

Staff should report any concerns about a child carrying or using a weapon (or expressing intent to do so) to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or deputy. The DSL is required to take appropriate action, which might include de-escalating peer conflict.

KCSIE 2026 also states that risks are higher for children with disrupted education or a history of offending, and schools be alert to when children might be at highest risk around the school day, such as immediately after school.

Throughout KCSIE 2026, child-on-child abuse references have also been updated to specify that it includes harassment and violence.

Trainee teachers

Throughout KCSIE 2026 changes have been made to reflect the position of trainee teachers. ‘Staff members’ in the context of safeguarding concerns includes trainee teachers, and where concerns or allegations relate to a trainee teacher, the expectations which relate to supply teachers and contracted staff will apply.

Sports

KCSIE 2026 includes a new section in respect of sport (although it does not apply to colleges outside the ‘further education sector). Schools and colleges can separate children according to their biological sex where the physical strength, stamina or physique of the average girl would put her at a disadvantage in competition with the average boy (or vice versa). Where sports need to be played in single-sex groups from a certain age to ensure safety, there should be no exceptions.

School premises

Another significant proposed update to KCSIE is the inclusion of a new section on regulations and safeguarding requirements relating to school premises. Significantly, whilst colleges are not subject to the School Premises (England) Regulations 2012 and the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014, KCSIE 2026 states that colleges should take the same approach given that the same safeguarding considerations apply.

In terms of toilets, KCSIE 2026 states that schools must not allow children into toilets designated for the opposite biological sex, or allow a child, aged 11 years or older at the start of the school year, to undress in front of a child of the opposite biological sex. This includes even when responding to a request to support any degree of social transition.

If a child does not want to use the toilet, changing room or shower designated for their biological sex, schools and colleges should consider whether they can provide an alternative facility without compromising the provision of single-sex facilities, or the safety, comfort, privacy or dignity of the child, or of other children. A clear record should be kept of these situations.

Online safety and mobile phones

In terms of online safety, the definitions of online risk categories have been updated to reflect the increasing prevalence of AI. There is also a new obligation on schools to regularly review their filtering and monitoring systems’ effectiveness at least once every academic year, including  checks that filtering is working appropriately on all internet-connected devices.

KCSIE 2026 also includes new references to the guidance “Generative artificial intelligence in education” and online resources to help staff to use AI safely, as well as a new section reflecting the Department’s new Mobile Phones in Schools guidance.

Child Protection Policy

When it comes to safeguarding, it is vital to have a well-drafted child protection policy that aligns with the requirements set out in KCSIE. Schools and colleges should take note that KCSIE 2026 expands on the list of factors that the child protection policy should include:

• Recognition that for some (but not all) forms of child-on-child abuse it is more likely that girls will be victims and boys’ perpetrators, but that all child-on-child abuse is unacceptable and will be taken seriously

• The different forms that child-on-child abuse can take to also include:

• Physical assault and harm, or the threat of harm with a weapon

• Harmful sexual behaviour, including misogyny, sexual violence and sexual harassment

• Consensual and non-consensual sharing of self-generated intimate images and/or videos including those generated using AI e.g. deepfakes

Children who are questioning their gender

KCSIE 2026 also provides updated guidance where a child or their parent has raised a request relating to social transition. Schools and colleges should be appropriately professionally curious about the child’s experiences and their potential vulnerabilities. They should consider adopting policies that maintain flexibility and avoid rigid rules based on gender stereotypes.

Practical steps

Although KCSIE 2026 remains subject to consultation, and therefore the updates remain in draft form, schools and colleges should ensure that necessary training is conducted so that they can be satisfied that staff are well placed to meet the statutory obligations placed on them. All staff will now be expected to read Part 1 of KCSIE 2026 in full, so appropriate training and updates should be provided to staff to ensure that they have done so when KCSIE 2026 is implemented.

In addition, it will be important for schools and colleges to carry out a review of the child protection policy and practices to ensure alignment with the updates when they come into effect in September 2026. In particular, colleges should take steps adopt their practices and approach in respect of their premises.

Finally, whilst KCSIE 2026 now includes a single central record template, schools and colleges will undoubtedly have their own version already in place. It may, however, be helpful to consider the template to confirm that their own version meets the same expectations.

Schools and colleges requiring support in respect of their statutory safeguarding obligations, including conducting a review of their school’s policies and staff training, should get in touch.