KCSIE 2025 is the live document
Schools and colleges should continue to align policy, training, DSL practice and governance assurance to KCSIE 2025 until replacement guidance is formally issued.
Consultation status
KCSIE 2025 is the guidance currently in force. The 2026 text is a draft consultation proposal and is not yet statutory. Final wording may change following consultation analysis and ministerial decisions.
Key takeaway
- KCSIE 2025 remains the live compliance baseline for schools and colleges.
- The 2026 consultation proposes broader structural and policy updates for September 2026.
- Leaders should prepare implementation plans now without treating draft text as final.
- Policy, training, filtering and monitoring, and record-keeping readiness are practical priorities.
What is the current position?
The statutory document currently in force is Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025.
2025 updates were mainly technical
The 2025 cycle included mostly technical and clarification changes rather than a full structural rewrite, while still requiring policy and operational checks.
What is being consulted on for 2026?
The Department for Education has opened consultation on proposed revisions to KCSIE, with intent to implement updated statutory guidance in September 2026.
Consultation timeline
Consultation materials set out draft text and questions for stakeholders. Responses will inform the final shape and wording of the 2026 guidance.
Broader revision scope
Compared with 2025, the 2026 draft indicates broader revisions across terminology, practice expectations, and presentation of safeguarding duties.
Main proposed changes
Safeguarding terminology and scope
Draft changes indicate clearer terminology, consolidation of expectations, and refined drafting intended to improve interpretation across settings.
Online safety, filtering, monitoring, mobile phones and generative AI
Proposals continue a whole-setting online safety approach, with practical expectations around filtering and monitoring standards, device risks, and safe use of generative AI tools.
Child-on-child abuse, sexual harassment and sexual violence
Draft revisions propose clearer framing of prevention, response pathways, and record-keeping expectations for incidents involving children and young people.
Information sharing and multi-agency working, including Family Help
Consultation material signals practical updates to information-sharing language and alignment with wider multi-agency practice developments.
Safer recruitment and SCR-related changes
Proposals include updates to safer recruitment language and expectations linked to Single Central Record quality, consistency and oversight.
SEND, mental health, medical conditions, young carers, AP, boarding and residential settings
The draft proposes more explicit signposting and practical emphasis for groups and settings that need tailored safeguarding pathways.
Children who are questioning their gender, including single-sex spaces and sport
Draft proposals include content in this area within KCSIE. As a consultation proposal, this text is not final and should be treated as subject to change.
What schools and colleges should do now
- Keep current policy, training and practice aligned to KCSIE 2025 as the statutory baseline.
- Map draft 2026 proposals against existing policies so likely change impact is visible early.
- Review filtering and monitoring controls, governance oversight, and annual assurance evidence.
- Check incident recording quality for chronology clarity, decision rationale and action ownership.
- Prepare provisional training updates for staff, DSLs and governors pending final publication.
- Track consultation outcomes and publication updates so implementation can be sequenced quickly.
Want help preparing your safeguarding processes for KCSIE updates?
FAQs
Is KCSIE 2026 in force now?
No. KCSIE 2025 remains in force. The 2026 content is currently consultation draft material.
What should we use as our current compliance baseline?
Use KCSIE 2025 and related current statutory duties while preparing for potential 2026 changes.
Will all proposed changes become law as drafted?
Not necessarily. Consultation responses may lead to amendments before final publication.
Should we rewrite policies now?
Keep live policies compliant with KCSIE 2025 and prepare draft updates so you can implement quickly if proposals are confirmed.
What should leaders prioritise during consultation?
Policy mapping, staff training readiness, filtering and monitoring assurance, and clear recording standards.