KCSIE 2025 Update:
Only Technical Changes But Schools Must Still Prepare
As the end of the academic year nears, schools were beginning to voice frustration over the delayed release of the 2025 Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance.
Usually published in spring, the annual update is vital for shaping safeguarding practice, updating policies and training staff, in time for the guidance which usually comes into force on 1st September each year.
The Department for Education (DfE) has now confirmed that the Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2025 guidance will be released this month, July 2025. While some anticipated major revisions, the DfE has said only minor technical updates will be made. These are expected to reflect recent RSHE guidance, the Supreme Court Equality Act ruling, and developments in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
What’s Changing in KCSIE 2025?
The upcoming version will primarily include:
- Links to revised guidance on Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE)
- Revised guidance on gender-questioning children
While these may seem like minor updates, they still require Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) and school leaders to review policies, adapt training, and ensure staff are briefed ahead of the new academic year.
Why Was There a Delay?
The delay in publication has been attributed to several factors, including: A change in government following the July 2024 general election; the need for the new administration to reassess priorities and guidance direction; the late-stage progression of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill and the Crime and Policing Bill.
What’s Next?
Although this year’s KCSIE changes are technical, the government has signalled that future versions will bring more substantive updates, influenced by: The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill; the Casey Audit into grooming gangs and institutional safeguarding failings; the Violence Against Women and Girls strategy and legislative developments around mandatory reporting duties for child sexual abuse disclosures.
The forthcoming updates are expected to place even greater responsibility on education settings to understand and implement evolving safeguarding requirements.
KCSIE has been revised regularly for many years, and the DfE intend that it will continue to be revised and improved on a regular basis.
What Schools Should Do Now
Despite limited changes in 2025, schools still need to:
- Review internal policies to ensure alignment with the latest RSHE and gender-questioning child guidance
- Update safeguarding training in time for September
- Brief staff on any policy or reporting procedure changes.
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