Amendments

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

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

Section 3, Home Remedies was amended in August 2025 to include the increasing advisory role pharmacists play re over the counter medication.

This chapter was refreshed in August 2025.

This chapter was updated in August 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 August 2025, information was added into Section 1, Risks in relation to sexually coerced extortion.

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

In August 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 August 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 August 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 August 2025 to include an updated Statement of Purpose for each home.

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

In February 2025, this chapter was updated in line with the Online Safety Act 2023.

This chapter was refreshed in February 2025.

This chapter was refreshed in February 2025.

In February 2025, a link was added to Education Supply Chains – A Better Hiring Toolkit.

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

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

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

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

This chapter was updated in August 2024 to include an updated Statement of Purpose for each home.

This chapter was updated in August 2024.

This chapter was refreshed in February 2024, and should be re-read in its entirety.

This chapter was refreshed in February 2024, and additional links were added in Further Information.

In February 2024, new subsections were added 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.

Section 2.2, Appointment of Manager was updated in February 2024 in line with updated Ofsted Guidance - Social Care Common Inspection Framework: Children’s Homes.

This chapter was updated in February 2024 to include the current Statement of Purpose for each Care Home.