The Department for Education has launched a consultation on proposed updates to Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2026, the statutory safeguarding guidance that schools and colleges in England must follow.
The consultation, issued on 12 February 2026 and closing on 22 April 2026, seeks views from across the education and safeguarding sector. The aim is to strengthen clarity, reflect emerging risks, and ensure the guidance remains practical and effective.
Here is a clear, digestible overview of what is being proposed and why it matters.
Why KCSIE Is Being Updated
KCSIE sets out the legal duties and expectations for safeguarding in schools and colleges. The 2026 consultation focuses on:
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Improving clarity and consistency
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Aligning with other safeguarding frameworks
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Reflecting new and emerging risks, especially online
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Addressing feedback from schools and safeguarding professionals
The structure remains in five core parts, covering staff responsibilities, safeguarding management, safer recruitment, allegations against staff, and child on child sexual violence and harassment.
Format and Structure: A Possible Shift to HTML
One notable proposal is moving KCSIE from a PDF format to HTML on GOV.UK to improve accessibility.
The consultation also asks whether the document is too long, whether a shorter or modular format would be preferable, and whether a one page summary of Part One would help busy staff.
This reflects ongoing feedback that the guidance is comprehensive but can feel dense and lengthy.
Terminology Updates: Reflecting Modern Risks
Self Generated Intimate Images and AI
The guidance proposes updating language around what has often been referred to as sexting. The new proposed term is:
“Consensual and non consensual self generated intimate images and or videos including those generated using AI”
This change aims to reflect seriousness, clarity and the rise of AI generated deepfake content.
Misogyny and Harmful Sexual Behaviour
The consultation proposes strengthening references to misogyny, particularly its intersection with harmful sexual behaviour. The aim is to address the growing influence of extreme misogynistic ideologies online and their impact in schools.
Safeguarding Practice: Key Changes in Part One
Part One sets out what all staff need to know. Several important updates are proposed:
Removal of Annex A
Annex A, a condensed summary for staff not working directly with children, may be removed. The view is that all staff need broader safeguarding awareness, which Part One provides.
Early Help and Classroom Removal
The guidance may include references to pupils who are:
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Repeatedly removed from the classroom
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On part time timetables
These can be indicators of vulnerability, including potential child criminal exploitation.
Serious Violence as a Safeguarding Issue
The revised wording makes clearer that violence between children can be a safeguarding concern, especially where exploitation or vulnerability is involved.
The guidance reinforces a trauma informed approach, recognising that children who cause harm may also be at risk themselves.
Legal Clarity on Sexual Offences
Wording around rape and sexual assault is being clarified to avoid confusion and ensure accurate reflection of UK law.
Mental Health and Safeguarding
The section on children requiring mental health support has been substantially redrafted.
It aims to:
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Clarify when mental health concerns may become safeguarding issues
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Reinforce the importance of whole school approaches
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Highlight referral pathways
The intention is not to turn KCSIE into a mental health manual, but to ensure staff understand when mental health intersects with safeguarding risk, particularly in cases of self harm or suicidal ideation.
Children Questioning Their Gender
The guidance relating to children who are questioning their gender has been updated and will be incorporated directly into KCSIE, rather than published separately.
New sections clarify:
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Legal obligations regarding single sex spaces such as toilets and changing rooms
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Legal considerations for single sex sports
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The need to prioritise safeguarding and best interests
The aim is to provide a statutory framework that balances safeguarding, wellbeing and legal duties.
Artificial Intelligence and Online Risk
AI features prominently in the proposed changes.
Updates include:
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Reference to generative AI in education
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Emphasis on safeguarding risks, including AI generated abuse material
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Cyber security reframed as a safeguarding issue, not just an IT matter
Schools are also expected to carry out at least annual reviews of filtering and monitoring systems, with documented checks.
The guidance reflects the rapid evolution of digital risks, including financially motivated sexual extortion and exploitation via gaming platforms.
Safer Recruitment and Work Experience
Changes to Part Three aim to reduce unnecessary Disclosure and Barring Service checks for work experience placements that do not meet the threshold for regulated activity.
An example Single Central Record template will also be included to help schools meet statutory requirements.
Strengthening the Role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead
Proposals include:
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Clearer expectations about robust cover arrangements
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Reinforcement that DSLs must have appropriate skills and experience
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Further exploration of workload, emotional burden and support
The consultation also seeks feedback from DSLs on recruitment into the role, confidence levels and what would improve support.
Expanding the Evidence Base: Emerging Safeguarding Issues
The final section invites views on areas where knowledge is still developing. These include:
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Affluent neglect
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Children affected by domestic abuse
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Grooming gangs
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Teenage relationship abuse
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Harmful sexual behaviour that may not be criminal
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Verbal abuse as a distinct safeguarding concern
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Self referral expectations where staff may have harmed a child
There is also a question about producing a British Sign Language version to improve accessibility.
Why This Consultation Matters
KCSIE underpins safeguarding practice across education settings in England. Changes to terminology, structure and emphasis can shape policy, training and culture in schools and colleges.
The 2026 consultation reflects:
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Growing digital complexity
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Increased awareness of mental health needs
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Ongoing debates around gender, equality and safeguarding
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The need for clearer, more consistent expectations
Stakeholder feedback will shape the final version published later in the year.
Key Dates
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Consultation launched: 12 February 2026
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Deadline for responses: 22 April 2026
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Final version expected later in 2026
For safeguarding leads, senior leaders, governors and education professionals, this consultation is a significant opportunity to influence the future direction of statutory safeguarding guidance.
If safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, shaping the guidance that defines it should be too.
