Amendments

This chapter was updated in February 2025 and should be re-read.

In February 2025, this chapter was updated in line with the Online Safety Act 2023.

In February 2025, information was added in relation to Ofsted and CQC Joint Registration Guidance: Children’s Homes and Health Care.

In February 2025, information was added in relation to Ofsted and CQC Joint Registration Guidance: Children’s Homes and Health Care.

In August 2024, a new Section 7, Other Harmful Practices was added. The Health and Care Act 2022 has made it illegal to carry out, offer or aid and abet virginity testing or hymenoplasty in any part of the UK. It is also illegal for UK nationals and residents to do these things outside the UK. Information was also added on Breast Flattening which is an offence as set out in CPS So-Called Honour-Based Abuse Legal Guidance.

This chapter was refreshed in August 2024.

In August 2024, minor amendments were made to definitions in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children.

In August 2024, definitions were updated in line with revised Working Together to Safeguard Children.

In August 2024, information was added to reflect the reclassification of nitrous oxide as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (as amended).

In August 2024, a link was added to Education Supply Chains – A Better Hiring Toolkit.

In August 2024, a link was added in the Further Information section to Ofsted Guidance Children’s Homes that Provide Care and Accommodation for Adults.

Section 2.3, Appointment of Manager was updated in February 2024 in line with updated Ofsted Guidance - Social Care Common Inspection Framework: Children's Homes.

This chapter was refreshed in February 2024 and additional links were added into Further Information.

In February 2024, new subsections 2.8, Prospective Staff Spending Time in the Home and 2.9, Carrying Out Interviews were added in line with updated Ofsted guidance.
A link was also added to information on DBS Digital Identity Verification Guidance.

In August 2023, information in relation to allergies was added into Section 2, Health Care Plans.

In August 2023, this chapter was amended in line with revised statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education. Information was added to note that Keeping Children Safe in Education provides that copies of a curriculum vitae should only be accepted alongside an application form as a curriculum vitae on its own may not provide adequate information. Information was also added in relation to online searches. It was also updated in line with Guidance: Children's Homes – Recruiting Staff (Ofsted).

This chapter was updated in August 2023 in relation to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.

In August 2023, a new Section 2, Allergies was added.

In August 2023, information in relation to allergies was added into Section 1, Responsibility and Risk Assessments.

This chapter was updated in August 2023 to include information from Self-harm: Assessment, Management and Preventing Recurrence NICE Guidance.

In August 2023, this chapter was amended in line with revised Keeping Children Safe in Education. A new Section 2, The Difference Between an Allegation of Harm and a Concern was also added.

In August 2023, additional information in relation to the arrangements around gender of staff undertaking searches was added.

This chapter was added to the manual in August 2023.