Keeping Children Safe in Education (2026)

The Department for Education (DfE) introduced major updates for Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026 for the 2026/27 academic year. The updated standards come into force on September 1, 2026, bringing significant changes to staff training, online safety, and safer recruitment.

Key changes include:

• Removal of Annex A: Previously, schools could use a condensed version of Part 1 for staff who didn't work directly with children. This annex has been deleted, and all staff are now required to read Part 1 in full.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): The guidance expands its focus to include new risks associated with generative AI, including "deepfakes" and AI-generated sexual imagery.
• Mobile Phones: A new mobile phone policy section expects schools to restrict phone access "by default" during the school day, including break times and transitions, to ensure a safer learning environment.
• Safer Recruitment: The "supervision exemption" has been removed from regulated activity, requiring additional DBS and safeguarding checks for certain volunteers.
• Enhanced Guidance: The update includes expanded sections on children questioning their gender, single-sex sports exceptions, misogyny, and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).