The Department for Education (DfE) has published an updated version of the statutory safeguarding and child protection guidance for schools in England, Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE). This guidance replaced KCSIE 2023 when it came into force on 1 September 2024.

The guidance sets out what schools and colleges in England must do to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people under the age of 18.

Our briefing sets out changes made to the guidance.

Updates made in 2024 include:

• amending the definition of ‘safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children’ in line with Working together to safeguard children 2023²
• additional information around when children may require early help, in accordance with the guidance in Working together
• a recommendation for school staff, governors and trustees to use the DfE Data Protection guidance for schools³ to understand data protection
• clarification that schools continue to be responsible for the safeguarding of pupils they place with an alternative provision provider.