KCSIE 2026: Key Changes Schools Need to Know Before September

The Department for Education has published Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2026, with the updated statutory safeguarding guidance coming into force on 1 September 2026. Until then, schools and colleges should continue to follow KCSIE 2025 while preparing for the new requirements.

Although many of the principles remain unchanged, KCSIE 2026 introduces several important updates that school leaders should review before the start of the new academic year.

Everyone must read Part One

One of the biggest changes is the removal of Annex A.

From September, all staff, regardless of their role, must read Part One of KCSIE in full. This reinforces that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, not just those working directly with children.

Schools should update induction processes and training records to reflect this requirement and evidence that all staff have read Part One.

Changes to volunteer vetting

Following changes introduced through the Crime and Policing Act 2026, schools should review how volunteer roles are assessed to determine whether they meet the definition of regulated activity and whether an enhanced DBS check, with a children's barred list check where appropriate, is required.

Schools should review their safer recruitment procedures, volunteer policies and Single Central Record to ensure they remain compliant.

Greater focus on AI and online safety

Artificial intelligence (AI) features much more prominently throughout KCSIE 2026.

The guidance now:

• Recognises AI-generated nude and semi-nude images as a form of child-on-child abuse.
• Signposts schools to Government guidance on the safe use of generative AI.
• Requires schools to review the effectiveness of filtering and monitoring systems at least once every academic year.
• Highlights cyber security as an important safeguarding responsibility.

Mobile phones and safeguarding

KCSIE 2026 reinforces the Government's expectation that schools should be mobile phone-free environments by default, with any exceptions clearly justified within school policy.

New guidance on gender-questioning children

For the first time, guidance on supporting gender-questioning children has been incorporated into KCSIE itself.

This includes advice on single-sex spaces, participation in sport, parental involvement and schools' responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010. The guidance makes clear that decisions should always be made on a case-by-case basis, with the child's best interests at the centre.

Earlier intervention and stronger multi-agency working

The updated guidance places greater emphasis on:

• Early Help and Family Help referrals
• Mental health as a safeguarding concern
• Serious violence and criminal exploitation
• Child-on-child abuse
• Timely information sharing between safeguarding partners

These updates reinforce the importance of identifying concerns early and working collaboratively to protect children.

What should schools do now?

Before September, schools should:

• Read Annex C to understand all the changes.
• Update safeguarding and safer recruitment policies.
• Ensure all staff read Part One.
• Review volunteer vetting procedures.
• Audit filtering and monitoring arrangements.
• Include KCSIE 2026 within September safeguarding training.

Preparing for September

While KCSIE 2026 introduces some significant updates, many build on existing safeguarding responsibilities rather than creating entirely new ones.

Taking the time to review your policies, staff training and recruitment processes over the summer will help ensure your school is fully prepared for September.

At Flourish Education, safeguarding underpins everything we do. Every teacher, teaching assistant and support professional we place has completed rigorous compliance checks and KCSIE-compliant safeguarding training. As an APSCo Compliance+ accredited education recruitment agency, we help schools across the West Midlands recruit fully vetted, safeguarding-compliant staff with confidence.

This article provides a general overview of the changes introduced in KCSIE 2026. Schools and colleges should always refer to the full statutory guidance when reviewing their safeguarding policies and procedures.

Need support with your September staffing?

Between KCSIE updates, policy reviews and everything else on your September to-do list, staffing shouldn't be another source of stress.

Our team takes care of the search, the vetting and the paperwork. So when you need a teacher, TA or support staff member, we've already done the hard part. Speak to our friendly team today.