What's Changing in KCSIE 2026?

Supporting Pupils Questioning Their Gender

This is one of the most substantial areas of change, and one where school leaders are likely to have the most questions. The draft guidance sets out a framework for how schools should respond when pupils or their parents/carers request support with social transition.

Key points from the draft guidance include:

• Schools should not initiate any action around social transition as the guidance applies only when responding to a request.
• Schools are expected to take a 'very careful' approach, treating social transition as an 'active intervention' rather than a routine adjustment.
• Primary schools should exercise particular caution; support for full social transition is expected to be agreed only very rarely.
• Decision-making should be documented, and schools are advised to develop a clear policy for responding to these requests.
• Individual staff members must not make any changes related to social transition unless a decision has been made by the school in consultation with parents/carers.
• The child's best interests and the impact on other pupils must both be considered and may not always align with the child's stated wishes.

Parental involvement is a priority under the draft guidance. If a pupil asks for support with social transition, schools should engage with parents/carers as a matter of priority. However, if a pupil simply confides their feelings without requesting any changes to how they are treated at school, this does not need to be shared with parents/carers, except where a safeguarding risk is identified.

On facilities, the draft guidance is clear: schools must not allow pupils to access toilets, changing rooms, or accommodation designated for the opposite biological sex, with no exceptions. Schools will also be required to ensure all relevant staff are aware of a child's biological sex in all cases, and to record it accurately wherever it appears.

All staff to read Part 1 in full

Annex A (the condensed version of Part 1) is removed. All staff, regardless of their role, will be expected to read Part 1 of KCSIE in its entirety, so it's worth reviewing your induction processes now.

Child protection policy updates

Policies should be updated to include: 

• A recognition that dismissing harmful behaviour as 'banter' or 'boys being boys' can contribute to a culture of misogyny
• Reference to AI-generated intimate images (deepfakes) and the school's approach to their sharing
• Physical assault with a weapon and harmful sexual behaviour, including misogyny, as explicit forms of child-on-child abuse

Mental health, serious violence and vulnerable groups

Mental health problems can now develop into safeguarding concerns in their own right, not just as indicators of abuse. New guidance covers warning signs and what staff should do. A new section on serious violence covers assault, weapons and peer conflict. Young carers are named as a group requiring early identification, and the list of pupils who may need additional support has been expanded.

The draft guidance extends and clarifies guidance on children who may need additional support:

• Young carers: A new paragraph recognises that caring responsibilities can affect attendance, attainment, behaviour and well-being. Schools are expected to identify young carers early to ensure appropriate support is in place.
• Children with medical conditions: The guidance clarifies that having a medical condition is not in itself an indicator of heightened safeguarding risk. Where a clinical incident occurs at school, the DSL should work with the responsible healthcare professional to assess whether a safeguarding duty has been triggered.
• An expanded list of pupils who may need additional support now includes those who are pregnant or parents, those showing early signs of harmful behaviour, and pupils repeatedly removed from the classroom.

Mobile phones and AI

All schools should be mobile phone-free by default. The guidance also acknowledges AI-generated harmful content and the risks of generative AI applications simulating harmful online interactions.

We'll publish updated policy templates, audit packs and guidance in line with the finalised KCSIE 2026 once confirmed. In the meantime, share the consultation with your team and encourage responses before 22nd April 2026.