Amendments

In November 2025, this chapter was refreshed and a link was 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 November 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.

Section 2, Home Remedies was amended in November 2025 to include the increasing advisory role pharmacists play re over the counter medication.

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

In November 2025, a new Section 3, Child Financial Exploitation was added.

In November 2025, information was added about Pre-application advice on caring for children with complex needs (Ofsted). Information was added into Section 6.5, Moving and Handling and Postural Care on the importance for some children of good postural care to reduces their health risks and improve their quality of life.

In May 2025, a link was added in Section 4.6, Disposal to the policy Disposal of Medication.

In May 2025, the Statement of Purpose was updated.

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

In May 2025, the links to the Children's Guides were updated.

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

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

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

This chapter was updated in May 2025 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets (GOV.UK) in Related Guidance.

This chapter was refreshed in May 2025.

This chapter was refreshed in May 2025.

In November 2024, information was added in relation to Ofsted and CQC Joint Registration Guidance: Children’s Homes and Health Care.

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

This chapter was updated in November 2024.

This chapter was refreshed in November 2024.

In November 2024, information was added in relation to Ofsted and CQC Joint Registration Guidance: Children’s Homes and Health Care.

Appendix 3: Administration away from the Home was amended in June 2024 to add how staff should carry medication when out with a child or young person.

In May 2024, a new Section 8, Other Harmful Practices was added. 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 was also added on Breast Flattening which is an offence as set out in CPS So-Called Honour-Based Abuse Legal Guidance.

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

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

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

This chapter was refreshed in May 2024.

In November 2023, new sections were added into 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 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 November 2023, and additional links added in Further Information.