Amendments

In April 2026, a link was added to the related guidance section to the Children’s Commissioners’ guidance “What I wish my parents or carers knew…”: A guide for parents and carers on managing children’s digital lives.

In April 2026, this chapter was refreshed.

In April 2026, information was added as the government has extended health services and other entitlements to care leavers.

This chapter was refreshed in April 2026 to further define Cyberbullying in Section 2, Types of Bullying. A new Section 6, Further Information/Specialist Support was also added.

This chapter was refreshed in April 2026 to include information from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) and Coram BAAF: Initial Health Assessment (IHA) Delivery Standards. Also, information was added as the government has extended free NHS services to care leavers with free prescriptions, dental and eye care services up to the age of 25.

In April 2026, this chapter was updated with information from the Youth Justice Charter - know your rights in the youth justice system. The Youth Justice Charter sets out what children can expect at each stage of the youth justice system - helping them understand who does what, what their rights are, and what to do if the standards are not met.

In April 2026, this chapter was updated to reflect the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 and additional guidance and information links.

In April 2026, this chapter was updated to contain information from NICE guidance for Self-harm: assessment, management and preventing recurrence and the NHS England Staying safe from suicide guidance. Additional website links were also added. 

In April 2026, this chapter was updated to include the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.

In April 2026, this chapter was updated to contain additional information on recruiting people who have lived overseas and on the DBS update service.

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

Section 2, Home Remedies was amended in October 2025 to include the increasing advisory role pharmacists play regarding over the counter medication.

In April 2025, information in relation to sexually coerced extortion was added into Section 3, Risks.

This chapter was updated in April 2025 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets (GOV.UK).

In April 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 April 2025, information in relation to bunk beds was added into Section 8, Accommodation, Bedroom Space and Sharing.

This chapter was refreshed in April 2025.

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

This chapter was updated in April 2025 to include a link in Section 2.3, Disclosure and Barring Service Checks to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets (GOV.UK).

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

This chapter was updated in October 2024.

This chapter was updated in October 2024.

This chapter was updated in October 2024.

This chapter was updated in October 2024.