In Toto Ed
KCSIE 2025 updates
KCSIE 2025, which stands for "Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025," is the updated safeguarding guidance for schools in England. It includes new information on online safety, particularly regarding disinformation, misinformation, and conspiracy theories, and clarifies guidance on alternative provision and virtual school heads. Working Together to Improve School Attendance is now a statutory document.
Key Updates
Online Safety:
KCSIE 2025 expands on online safety content, specifically addressing disinformation, misinformation, and conspiracy theories.
Alternative Provision:
The guidance provides more clarity on the use and oversight of alternative provision settings.
Virtual School Heads:
The updated guidance clarifies the responsibilities of Virtual School Heads regarding children in kinship care.
Working Together to Improve School Attendance:
This DfE guidance is now statutory, emphasizing the daily data-sharing duty introduced in 2024.
Generative AI:
The guidance incorporates information from the DfE on the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI).
Gender Questioning Children:
The government is expected to publish updated guidance on this topic, taking into account the Supreme Court judgment on biological sex.
Safer Recruitment:
Several safer recruitment links have been updated in Part 3 of the document.
Alternative Providers:
Schools are required to obtain written information from alternative providers confirming that appropriate safeguarding checks have been carried out on their staff.
Other Important Considerations
Training and Awareness:
KCSIE emphasizes the importance of well-trained staff, with a particular focus on the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) who needs training in data protection in addition to safeguarding.
E-learning Platforms:
E-learning platforms play a growing role in tracking staff training, issuing certifications, and demonstrating compliance.
Allegations:
Managing allegations, including low-level concerns, has been strengthened with a focus on consistent processes.
Early Intervention:
Listening to pupils' voices is highlighted as crucial for early intervention in safeguarding matters.
How these changes affect parents
Increased vigilance regarding online content:
Parents should be aware of the increased emphasis on online safety and the potential risks of disinformation, misinformation, and conspiracy theories.
Understanding school policies:
Parents should familiarize themselves with their school's child protection policy and procedures, which should be updated annually and available to the public.
Open communication with schools:
Parents should feel comfortable communicating with their child's school about any concerns they have regarding safeguarding, and they should know who the designated safeguarding lead is.
Awareness of alternative provision:
Parents should understand how alternative provision works and what safeguarding measures are in place at those settings if their child attends one.