Key Updates in KCSIE 2024 Guidance: An Overview

While this year’s changes to the KCSIE 2024 guidance are minor, with more significant revisions planned for 2025, it’s important for school safeguarding leads to be aware of the latest amendments

CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on Tes

The Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2024 guidance has seen only minor updates from the previous version. More significant changes are expected for 2025, but for now, school safeguarding leads should note the few small amendments in this year’s guidance.

The KCSIE is statutory guidance issued by the Department for Education (DfE) under Section 175 of the Education Act 2002. This year’s updates primarily involve linguistic changes, with more substantial revisions planned for next year.

The document outlines the legal responsibilities for schools to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people under 18. Schools and colleges must consider this guidance when fulfilling their safeguarding duties.

The DfE has been gathering feedback on KCSIE to create a significantly updated version, which will include broader changes and be released in 2025.

This year’s updates to the KCSIE document include several key language changes. The term ‘abuse and neglect’ has been expanded to also cover ‘exploitation’. The phrase ‘deliberately missing education’ has been replaced with ‘unexplainable and/or persistent absences from education’. New text clarifies that schools are still responsible for students they place in alternative provision.

Additionally, the guidance now specifies that ‘indicators of abuse and neglect’ can include instances where young people ‘see, hear, or experience its effects,’ particularly in relation to domestic violence.

For further information on the changes made, SBLs can visit the government website.