Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2026 came into force on 1 September 2026, bringing a number of important changes to safeguarding expectations for schools, colleges and education staff.
The Department for Education (DfE) has provided an update to Keeping Children Safe in Education document, which is a statutory guidance for schools and colleges on safeguarding children and safer recruitment. The first document was published by the government in 2014 and this update has seen extensive changes. These changes reflect amended or new legislations as well as learnings from cases.
For tutors and organisations providing one-to-one tuition, understanding these changes is particularly important. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and tutors need to understand how to recognise and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
What are the main KCSIE 2026 changes?
- All staff must read Part One in full
One significant change is the removal of the shorter Part One version previously contained in Annex A. Under KCSIE 2026, all staff and tutors must read Part One in full and follow their students school safeguarding policies and procedures.
- New guidance relating to artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is part of education. KCSIE 2026 includes updated safeguarding considerations around its use, as well as educating on AI-generated and “deepfake” images.
- Filtering and monitoring
KCSIE 2026 continues to emphasise the importance of appropriate filtering and monitoring systems to help protect children from harmful online content.
- Mental health and safeguarding
Safeguarding and mental health are closely connected, and all staff and tutors need to be alert to changes in a child’s behaviour, attendance or presentation could indicate that they need help or protection.
- Violence Against Women and Girls, misogyny and serious violence
KCSIE 2026 contains updated and expanded material relating to violence against women and girls (VAWG), misogyny and serious violence.
- Children who are LGB or gender questioning
The 2026 guidance also includes updated information relating to children who are questioning their gender and how best to support these students within a safeguarding framework.
- Changes to safer recruitment and regulated activity
Another important development for education providers is the change to the definition of regulated activity involving children. For organisations providing tuition, this makes appropriate safeguarding checks and safer recruitment processes particularly important.
- Mobile phone Policy Schools are expected to be mobile phone free environments and the new version of KCSIE reinforces this.
What does KCSIE 2026 mean for EdNet tutors?
At EdNet, safeguarding is just as important as providing quality and experienced one-to-one tuition.
Our tutors are kept up to date with safeguarding requirements and relevant changes to legislation and guidance. All EdNet tutors have read Part One of KCSIE 2026 and formally confirmed that they understand their safeguarding responsibilities.
In addition, our 1:1 tutors follow each of the students’ schools safeguarding policies and procedures of the schools they work with and to raise any safeguarding concerns through the appropriate channels. Our safeguarding and compliance leads have also refreshed their knowledge of the updated guidance and policies so that they can support tutors when safeguarding concerns arise.
FAQs
- What is Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026?
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026 (KCSIE 2026) is statutory guidance from the Department for Education covering safeguarding and child protection in schools and colleges in England. The 2026 version came into force on 1 September 2026.
- When did KCSIE 2026 come into force?
KCSIE 2026 came into force on 1 September 2026, replacing the previous version of the guidance.
- Does KCSIE 2026 apply to tutors?
KCSIE is statutory guidance for schools and colleges in England. Tutors working with children should understand the safeguarding expectations relevant to their role and follow the safeguarding policies and procedures of the school or organisation they work with.
Keeping children safe at EdNet
At EdNet, safeguarding is fundamental to the way we provide tuition.
We believe every child has the right to learn in a safe and supportive environment, and we follow the children centred approach. That’s why we take safeguarding seriously and ensure our tutors understand their responsibilities when working with children and young people.
For more information about EdNet and our approach to safeguarding, please contact our team.
Published September 2026. This article summaries the updates to the Keeping Children Safe in Education update. Always refer to the full guidance on GOV.UK for the definitive text.
