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DfE launches consultation on changes to KCSIE

The proposed changes include new guidance on supporting gender-questioning children, updates on managing mobile phones and AI in school, and a new expectation that all staff read part 1 of KCSIE in full.

Last reviewed on 16 February 2026See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 53062
Contents
  1. What's the latest?
  2. New guidance on supporting pupils who are questioning their gender
  3. New expectation for all staff to read part 1 of KCSIE in full
  4. New expectations for child protection policies
  5. Updates to information on specific safeguarding issues
  6. Guidance on mobile phones and AI in school
  7. More information on children potentially at greater risk of harm
  8. Updated guidance on child-on-child sexual harassment and violence
  9. Definition updates and clarifications

What's the latest?

The Department for Education's consultation on changes to Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) has now closed. The results of the consultation will be published along with the government’s response and updated KCSIE guidance for 2026.

We'll let you know when this happens and what the changes means for you.

The consultation proposals are currently draft guidance and not government policy – you shouldn’t follow them yet.

We’ve summarised the most important changes below. For a full list of what’s being proposed, see Annex D of the draft guidance (starting on page 195).

New guidance on supporting pupils who are questioning their gender

We’ll update this article and share more guidance with you when we know