Key Changes to KCSIE 2025

The updated Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE 2025) legislation was published on 1st September 2025

Although early indications suggested that KCSIE 2025 would be a substantive update following the 2024 consultation, the document has again been limited to technical amendments reflecting developments over the past year.

The new version includes updated guidance on Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) and on Gender Questioning Children. The latter was originally issued in draft form under the previous government and has remained under review since.

KCSIE 2025 also makes clear that it will be updated to reflect future progress in related areas, including the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, the Violence Against Women and Girls strategy, and the impact of the Casey Audit on Group-Based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, alongside subsequent inquiries.

Part One: Safeguarding Information for All Staff

No changes in this section.

Part Two: The Management of Safeguarding

Opportunities to Teach Safeguarding

A new note states: “We expect to publish revised guidance on Relationships, Sex, and Health Education (RSHE) this summer. If published, we will signpost to this guidance in September 2025.”

Online Safety – The Four Areas of Risk (Content, Contact, Conduct, Commerce)

The content category now explicitly includes:

Misinformation;
Disinformation (including fake news); and
Conspiracy theories

Filtering and Monitoring

The list of guidance now includes the DfE’s Generative AI: Product Safety Expectations.

Cyber Security

The reference to Cyber Security Standards for Schools and Colleges has been updated with a clearer description.

Alternative Provision (AP)

Expanded to better align with current AP guidance and provide further clarification.

Attendance and Absence

The section on children absent from education now reflects the updated Working Together to Improve School Attendance guidance.

The new Keeping Children Safe in Education guidelines are now in place - but what has changed?

HANDSAM LTD HAVE UPDATED ALL RELEVANT DOCUMENTS AND TRAINING COURSES TO REFLECT THESE CHANGES

TO READ THE FULL DOCUMENT CLICK HERE

Virtual School Heads

Introduction of a new statutory duty.

Children Who Are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Gender Questioning

New note: “We expect to publish the revised guidance on gender questioning children this summer. If published, we will signpost to this guidance in September 2025.”

Cass Review

References to “spectrum disorder” have been removed.

Technical and System References

References to TRA Secure Access system and Employer Secure Access portal have been removed and replaced with updated links and descriptions.

Harmful Sexual Behaviour

Updated section on supporting alleged perpetrators and children displaying harmful sexual behaviour, now signposting to a new Lucy Faithfull Foundation resource.

Independent Commissioner

The title of the Commissioner’s guidance has been updated.

Annexes

A, C, D, E – No changes; and
B (Further Information) – Updated to include new resources for identifying and responding to child sexual abuse.

Summary

KCSIE 2025 introduces important updates around online safety, attendance, alternative provision, harmful sexual behaviour, and new duties for Virtual School Heads, alongside signposting to forthcoming guidance on RSHE and gender-questioning children.