Amendments

In October 2025, in Section 6.1, Who the Children’s Home Needs to be Registered With, information was added about Pre-application advice on caring for children with complex needs (Ofsted). In Section 6.5, Moving and Handling and Postural Care, information was added on the importance for some children of good postural care to reduces their health risks and improve their quality of life.

In October 2025, Section 3, Home Remedies was amended to include the increasing advisory role pharmacists play regarding over the counter medication.

In October 2025, this chapter was refreshed and a link added to Guidance: Being an Appropriate Adult - guidance for those who perform the role of ‘appropriate adult’ and for the person benefiting from the appropriate adult's support.

This chapter was updated in October 2025 to reflect Granting Leaves of Absence in Working Together to Improve School Attendance statutory guidance, which states that generally, the Department for Education does not consider a need or desire for a holiday or other absence for the purpose of leisure and recreation to be an exceptional circumstance for leave of absence.

In October 2025, a new section was added to the chapter on Child Financial Exploitation.

This chapter was updated in October 2025 to include information for the Restraint and restrictive practices: positive environments for children – Ofsted: social care.

In April 2025 information was added into Section 1, Risks in relation to sexually coerced extortion.

This chapter was refreshed in April 2025.

This chapter was refreshed in April 2025.

This chapter was updated in April 2025 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets - GOV.UK in the Related Guidance Section.

In April 2025 amendments were made to the definition of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in line with further revisions to Working Together to Safeguard Children.

In April 2025 information was added in relation to Ofsted and CQC Joint Registration Guidance: Children’s Homes and Health Care.

This chapter was refreshed in April 2025.

This chapter was updated in April 2025 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets - GOV.UK. 

In April 2025 this chapter was refreshed to add additional information in relation to Regulation 45 reviews and reports.

In April 2025 amendments were made to the definition of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in line with further revisions to Working Together to Safeguard Children.

This chapter was refreshed in April 2025. Information was added in relation to Ofsted and CQC Joint Registration Guidance: Children’s Homes and Health Care.

This chapter was refreshed in April 2025.

In April 2025 a link was added to Young People and Vaping (NHS). 

In October 2024, minor amendments were made to definitions in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children

In October 2024, this chapter was updated in line with the Online Safety Act 2023.

This chapter was updated in October 2024, to include an updated Statement of Purpose.

In October 2024, a link was added to Education Supply Chains – A Better Hiring Toolkit.

In October 2024, definitions were updated in line with revised Working Together to Safeguard Children.

In April 2024 a link was added in the Further Information section to Ofsted Guidance Children’s Homes that Provide Care and Accommodation for Adults.

In April 2024 information was added to reflect the reclassification of nitrous oxide as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (as amended).

In April 2024 Section 2.3, Appointment of Manager was updated in line with updated Ofsted Guidance – Social Care Common Inspection Framework: Children’s Homes.

This chapter was refreshed in April 2024.

In April 2024 a new section was added on Other Harmful Practices. The Health and Care Act 2022 has made it illegal to carry out, offer or aid and abet virginity testing or hymenoplasty in any part of the UK. It is also illegal for UK nationals and residents to do these things outside the UK. Information has also been added on Breast Flattening which is an offence as set out in CPS So-Called Honour-Based Abuse Legal Guidance.

In April 2024 new sections were added in to Section 2, Safe Recruitment and Employment Checks, on Prospective Staff Spending Time in the Home and Carrying Out Interviews, in line with updated Ofsted guidance.

A link was added to information on DBS Digital Identity Verification Guidance.

In October 2023, this chapter was amended in line with revised Keeping Children Safe in Education.  A new Section 2, The Difference Between an Allegation of Harm and a Concern was added.

In October 2023, information in relation to allergies was added into Section 2, Health Care Plans.

In October 2023, information in relation to allergies was added into Section 1, Responsibility and Risk Assessments.

This chapter was refreshed in October 2023.

In October 2023, a new Section 2, Allergies was added.

This chapter was added to the manual in October 2023.