How to Review and Update Safeguarding Policies for 2026

2025-12-08 12:38

January is the ideal time to refresh your safeguarding policies. With a new year beginning and lessons from 2025 fresh in mind, now is a good moment to ensure your policies reflect current risks, legislative changes, and best practice.

Why Annual Policy Reviews Matter

Safeguarding policies aren't static documents. They must evolve with:

Legislative updates and statutory guidance changes
Emerging risks (technology, social trends, new threats)
Lessons learned from incidents in your setting
Feedback from staff, children, and external agencies
Inspection findings and regulatory expectations

An outdated policy isn't just ineffective—it's a liability during inspections and incidents.

Key Legislative Changes for 2026

Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE)

The latest KCSIE guidance includes important updates:

Enhanced online safety requirements
Clearer guidance on child-on-child sexual harassment
Updated filtering and monitoring standards
Strengthened mental health safeguarding links
Revised information sharing protocols

Action: Review your child protection policy against the latest KCSIE, highlighting changes in red for governor approval.

Working Together to Safeguard Children

Recent updates emphasise:

Multi-agency collaboration expectations
Early help assessment frameworks
Information sharing between agencies
Safeguarding partnership responsibilities

Data Protection and GDPR

Ensure your policy balances:

Lawful basis for processing safeguarding data
Information sharing without consent when necessary
Secure storage and retention schedules
Subject access request procedures

Incorporating 2025 Lessons

Reflect on Your Setting's Experience

Review incidents from 2025:

What patterns emerged?
Were policies followed effectively?
Did staff know what to do?
What would you change?

Common 2025 themes to address:

AI-generated inappropriate content
Deepfake technology risks
Gaming platform exploitation
Mental health crisis escalation
Cost-of-living impact on families

Learning from National Cases

High-profile safeguarding cases often reveal systemic issues. Consider:

What went wrong elsewhere?
Could similar gaps exist in your setting?
How can your policy prevent comparable failures?
What additional training might staff need?

Stakeholder Consultation

Effective policies require input from:

Staff Consultation

Ask your team:

Is the policy clear and practical?
What challenges do they face implementing it?
What additional guidance would help?
Are reporting procedures straightforward?

Governor/Trustee Input

Board responsibilities include:

Approving policy changes
Challenging implementation effectiveness
Ensuring adequate resources
Monitoring safeguarding culture

Child and Parent Voice

Consider gathering feedback on:

How safe children feel
Whether they know how to report concerns
Parent understanding of safeguarding procedures
Accessibility of information

External Agency Perspectives

Consult with:

Local authority safeguarding partners
Police school liaison officers
Social services contacts
Ofsted feedback from recent inspections

Addressing Current Risks

Online Safety and AI Concerns

Your policy should cover:

Acceptable use of technology
AI-generated content risks (deepfakes, chatbots)
Social media platform dangers
Gaming and streaming risks
Staff use of AI tools with children's data
Filtering and monitoring requirements

Mental Health as Safeguarding

Strengthen sections on:

Recognising mental health concerns as safeguarding issues
Links between wellbeing and vulnerability
Early intervention pathways
Working with CAMHS and mental health services
Supporting staff mental health

Child-on-Child Abuse

Ensure comprehensive coverage of:

Sexual harassment and violence
Bullying (including cyberbullying)
Initiation/hazing in sports settings
Sharing of nudes and semi-nudes
Peer-on-peer exploitation

Contextual Safeguarding

Address risks beyond your setting:

County lines and criminal exploitation
Gang involvement
Online grooming
Exploitation in the community
Transport and travel safety

Policy Structure Best Practice

Essential Sections

Introduction: Purpose, scope, legal framework
Definitions: What constitutes abuse and neglect
Roles and responsibilities: Who does what
Recognition: Signs and indicators of harm
Procedures: How to report and respond
Record keeping: Documentation standards
Information sharing: When and how
Training: Requirements and frequency
Safer recruitment: Pre-employment checks
Allegations against staff: LADO procedures
Specific safeguarding issues: Online safety, CSE, FGM, etc.
Review arrangements: When policy is updated

Writing for Clarity

Effective policies are:

Concise: Avoid unnecessary jargon
Practical: Include clear action steps
Accessible: Written for all staff, not just specialists
Specific: Tailored to your setting, not generic templates
Actionable: Staff know exactly what to do

The Review Process

Step 1: Assign Responsibility (Week 1)

DSL leads the review
Senior leadership supports
Governor safeguarding lead involved

Step 2: Gap Analysis (Week 2)

Compare current policy to latest guidance
Identify missing or outdated sections
Note legislative changes required

Step 3: Consultation (Week 3)

Gather staff feedback
Consult external partners
Review incident data

Step 4: Drafting (Week 4)

Incorporate all updates
Ensure consistency across related policies
Add annexes for specific issues

Step 5: Approval (Week 5)

Present to governors/trustees
Explain key changes
Obtain formal approval

Step 6: Implementation (Week 6)

Communicate changes to all staff
Provide briefing sessions
Update training materials
Publish updated policy

Related Policies to Review Simultaneously

Safeguarding connects to multiple policies:

Behaviour and discipline
Anti-bullying
Online safety and acceptable use
Staff code of conduct
Whistleblowing
Safer recruitment
Allegations against staff
Health and safety
First aid and medical needs

Ensure consistency across all policies.

Communication and Training

Launching Your Updated Policy

Effective rollout includes:

All-staff briefing highlighting key changes
Written summary of updates
Q&A session for clarifications
Updated induction materials
Governor briefing
Parent communication about relevant changes

Ongoing Awareness

Include policy review in regular staff meetings
Annual refresher training
New starter inductions
Scenario-based discussions
Regular reminders about reporting procedures

Monitoring Implementation

How to Ensure Policies Work in Practice

Regular checks:

Spot-check staff knowledge
Review incident handling against policy
Analyse reporting patterns
Gather staff feedback
Observe practice during inspections

Key questions:

Are staff following procedures?
Do they understand their responsibilities?
Are children safer as a result?
What barriers exist to implementation?

Conclusion

Reviewing safeguarding policies isn't just an annual compliance task—it's an opportunity to strengthen protection for every child in your care. By incorporating legislative changes, learning from experience, consulting stakeholders, and addressing emerging risks, you create a living document that genuinely guides practice.

The best policies are those that staff can apply confidently in real situations. Invest time in January to get your policy right, and you'll have a solid foundation for safeguarding throughout 2026.

Need support with policy development? Safeguard-Me's consultation service helps organisations create robust, practical safeguarding policies tailored to your specific context.