Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE) 2025
Each year, the statutory guidance for educational settings Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE) is updated by the Department for Education (DfE). The document, which is the key safeguarding guidance for schools and other settings, is updated on an annual cycle to ensure content reflects any new threats, challenges, and societal shifts. This provides a revised framework for expected safeguarding practice.
Although the revised final statutory version of KCSIE comes into effect from September, the DfE usually releases a draft ‘for information’ version in May or early June. This is to ensure that settings have the opportunity to update policy and ensure governance, Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) and staff are trained to the latest standards for the start of each academic year.
We are now in the second week of June and, having contacted the DfE, there is no indication from the department of a release date for this year’s draft version. There is some speculation that the ‘late 2025’ update may be due to the next revision being a significant update. Indeed, the promise of a more substantive update was the rationale for the call for evidence which closed in June 2024.
- SSS Learning Training Course – Safeguarding & Child Protection for Staff in Regulated Activity
- SSS Learning's Complete Safeguarding Training Suite
As the 2024 update consisted primarily of technical changes to align with other key documentation e.g. Working together to safeguarding children, a substantive update is long overdue for a variety of reasons:
- To implement the findings of the Call for Evidence for KCSIE 2025;
- To equip staff with the knowledge and guidance to meet evolving risks. The safeguarding landscape is dynamic, it is a constantly expanding subject. With new and emerging risks such as ‘stealthing’, ‘looksmaxxing’, spice and snus use; and developing / evolving risk areas such as AI, deepfakes, child criminal exploitation and hidden homelessness, staff need to be aware and trained to effectively deliver the expanding safeguarding remit;
- To meet mental health and wellbeing needs. Research comprehensively links mental health and safeguarding, so it is essential that KCSIE reflects the latest evidence to ensure mental well-being forms a key part of comprehensive safeguarding strategy;
- To provide refined definitions and clarity. KCSIE updates often include clearer definitions of safeguarding terms and more precise guidance on how to identify and respond to concerns. This helps staff more accurately recognise and report issues, ensuring timely and appropriate interventions.
- To place an emphasis on early intervention. KCSIE places a strong emphasis on providing ‘early help’ to children as soon as problems emerge, before they escalate. Updates often provide additional information and clarity on when early help may be needed and how schools can facilitate it;
- Alignment with broader policy. Safeguarding is interconnected with other HM Government policies, such as the new Prevent Duty guidance, changes to the education inspection framework, and legislation like Martyn's Law. A more substantial update in 2025 would allow for better alignment and integration.
By reviewing and implementing the latest version of KCSIE, schools and other settings demonstrate their commitment to continuous improvement in their safeguarding arrangements and practice, creating safer environments for children to learn and thrive. A substantive updated KCSIE is vital for schools to remain legally compliant, responsive to evolving threats, and proactive in protecting children from harm. To ensure they have the time to ensure that safeguarding practices are robust, informed, and aligned with the latest understanding of child welfare, the new guidance is needed without further delay.
SSS Learning Safeguarding Director
8 June 2025
