Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026

Staff Briefing

Effective 1 September 2026

This briefing summarises the key updates to the statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2026, which comes into force on 1 September 2026. It replaces the September 2025 version. All school and college staff are required to read and understand Part one of this guidance. This document highlights what has changed, what it means for your day-to-day practice, and what you must do to remain compliant.

The guidance is issued by the Department for Education under Section 175 of the Education Act 2002 and related legislation. Schools and colleges in England must have regard to it when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children — defined as everyone under the age of 18.