Amendments

In March 2026, Information was added into Section 2, What is County Lines Offending? Additional guidance was also added in Further Information.

In March 2026, this chapter was updated with information from the Youth Justice Charter - know your rights in the youth justice system. The Youth Justice Charter sets out what children can expect at each stage of the youth justice system - helping them understand who does what, what their rights are, and what to do if the standards are not met.

This chapter was updated in September 2025 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets (GOV.UK) in Related Guidance.

This chapter was refreshed in September 2025. A new Section 3, Child Financial Exploitation was added.

This chapter was refreshed in September 2025.

In September 2025, amendments were made to the definition of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in line with further revisions to Working Together to Safeguard Children.

In September 2025, information was added in relation to sexually coerced extortion.

In September 2025, a link was added to Young People and Vaping (NHS).

In September 2025, a new Section 12, Safeguarding for Over 18 Years Old was added.

This chapter was updated in September 2025 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets (GOV.UK) in Related Guidance.

In September 2025, this chapter was refreshed and a link added to Guidance: Being an Appropriate Adult - guidance for those who perform the role of ‘appropriate adult’ and for the person benefiting from the appropriate adult's support.

In September 2025, a new Section 4, Note on Language was added.