2026 KCSIE: Summary of Key Changes

Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2026 is due for official publication soon. Unlike previous years, the 2026 KCSIE represents one of the most significant structural shifts in safeguarding expectations in recent years, and DSLs describe the changes as a significant overhaul that will demand more time for implementation.

In this quick-read summary, we break down the most important updates from the Department for Education, helping you stay compliant and prepared for September 2026. 

Want to have these changes in one place? Download our FREE KCSIE 2026 updates PowerPoint here.

What's New in KCSIE 2026?

The following outlines the key changes proposed in the 2026 draft of Keeping Children Safe in Education.

Gender-Questioning Children

KCSIE 2026 formally incorporates guidance on gender-questioning children, drawn from the findings of the Cass Review. Two new sections have been added covering single-sex spaces and single-sex sports. The guidance states that it is not the role of schools and colleges to initiate action in this area, and recommends a cautious, flexible and understanding approach. Parental involvement is established as the default in the vast majority of cases, unless a documented safeguarding risk exists, in which case the DSL should determine the action to be taken before any parental contact or decisions are made.

Mental Health as a Safeguarding Issue

There is a significantly greater focus on how mental health concerns intersect with safeguarding duties, particularly around risks including self-harm, eating disorders and suicidal ideation. The need for early identification of risk and targeted support is emphasised. The updated guidance also sets out expectations on the immediate action staff should take when a child discloses harm, including harm related to mental health.

Verbal Abuse Now Explicitly Identified as Emotional Abuse

The scope of emotional abuse has been widened to explicitly include verbal abuse, such as persistent criticism, belittling or name-calling. This is a significant practical clarification for staff: behaviour that may previously have been addressed through pastoral or behaviour systems may now need to be considered through a safeguarding lens, and the DSL involved accordingly.

AI and Online Safety

Two new paragraphs have been added to help schools and colleges understand safety considerations and legal responsibilities if they choose to use generative AI. KCSIE 2026 has also moved away from older phrasing around sexting and nude imagery, adopting the term "self-generated intimate images" and explicitly including those created using AI, such as deepfakes.

Misogyny as a Safeguarding Risk

There are repeated new references to misogyny as a safeguarding risk throughout the document, with particular focus on how misogyny intersects with harmful sexual behaviour. This now aligns with existing expectations set out in Ofsted's school inspection framework and DfE guidance on promoting fundamental British values, and will also have implications for schools' teaching of RSE, particularly in light of the revised RSE guidance coming into effect in September 2026.

Child-on-Child Abuse: Expanded Terminology and Guidance

"Child-on-child abuse" has been retitled to "Child-on-child abuse (including harassment and violence)." The guidance now highlights that child-on-child violence can be a safeguarding issue for both the victim and the perpetrator, and may be characterised by physical assault and threats with weapons.

Financial Exploitation

There are increased references to financial exploitation as a growing safeguarding concern, which may take the form of fraud or scams, including financially motivated sexual extortion (sexploitation).

Expanded Definition of Who May Need Early Help

The list of children who may benefit from early help now includes those who have been repeatedly removed from the classroom and those who are on a part-time timetable.

DSL Coverage and Responsibilities

The DfE recommends the use of confidential shared mailboxes to facilitate effective cover. Schools with lean leadership structures or part-time DSL models should review cover resilience carefully.

Mobile Phone Policy

A new section on mobile phone policy has been added to the guidance.

Trainee Teachers Now Included in Part 4

Trainee teachers are now explicitly included in Part 4 of the guidance, which covers safeguarding concerns or allegations made about staff, supply teachers, volunteers and contractors.

EYFS Clarification

The EYFS statutory framework is now formally referenced within KCSIE, clarifying that it applies to school-based nurseries and reception classes for children up to the age of five.

Updated Data Protection Guidance

The draft includes updated data protection references, expanded guidance on information sharing, and updates to linked education-specific ICO guidance.

What Safeguarding Training Do Staff Need in September 2026?

Whether you need a comprehensive full-staff INSET or a focused update session, we have you covered.

KCSIE 2026 Annual Safeguarding Refresher Training Pack

Our ready-to-deliver core INSET bundle includes an editable presentation, real-world scenarios and quizzes, and is fully aligned with Part One of KCSIE 2026. Ideal for DSLs, school leaders, or anyone delivering statutory training this September. We also have an expanded version available.

If you already have tried and trusted safeguarding INSET in place, our FREE KCSIE 2026 Training Update PowerPoint and Handout gives you everything you need to deliver this year's key changes quickly and clearly.

To keep staff knowledge fresh throughout the year, our Safeguarding Training Packs for each term include flexible quizzes, scenarios, and safeguarding snapshots (one-page, one-minute guides to specific issues that can be shared with staff or displayed around school).

What Do I Need to Do Regarding the KCSIE 2026 Updates?

✅ Review your safeguarding and child protection policies and update them to reflect the changes outlined above, ready for September 2026.

✅ Audit your DSL cover arrangements. With new guidance on cover resilience, now is the time to review whether your current model is sufficient.

✅ Brief your governing body as governors need to be aware of the significant scope of this year's changes and their implications for school-level policy and practice.

✅ Plan your safeguarding INSET for September. Given the scale of change, staff will need more than a brief update. Build this into your planning now.

✅ Review your mobile phone policy as this is now referenced directly in KCSIE, so ensure your policy is up to date and clearly communicated.

✅ Audit safeguarding practice across your setting and use this opportunity to reflect, refresh and identify areas for development before the new academic year. Our 2026 Safeguarding Audit can help.