Amendments

In March 2026, this chapter was updated to contain information from NICE guidance for Self-harm: assessment, management and preventing recurrence, and the NHS England Staying safe from suicide guidance. Additional website links were also added.

This chapter was refreshed in March 2026.

In March 2026, information was added into Section 2, What is County Lines Offending? And additional guidance added into Further Information.

In March 2026, this chapter was updated to contain additional information on recruiting people who have lived overseas and on the DBS update service.

In March 2026, this chapter was updated with information from the Youth Justice Charter - know your rights in the youth justice system. The Youth Justice Charter sets out what children can expect at each stage of the youth justice system — helping them understand who does what, what their rights are, and what to do if the standards are not met.

In September 2025, a new Section 3, Child Financial Exploitation was added.

Section 2, Home Remedies was amended in September 2025 to include the increasing advisory role pharmacists play re over the counter medication.

In March 2025, information in relation to bunk beds was added into Section 8, Accommodation, Bedroom Space and Sharing.

This chapter was updated in March 2025, to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets (GOV.UK) in Section 2.3, Disclosure and Barring Service Checks. 

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

In March 2025, information in relation to sexually coerced extortion was added into Section 3, Risks.

In March 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.

This chapter was refreshed in March 2025.

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