It is important to remember that a revised KCSIE does not come into force until September 2026. The final version may differ from these proposed changes; the consultation period will end on 22 April 2026.
Proposed changes to Filtering and Monitoring
KCSIE currently states that governing bodies and proprietors should ensure their school or college has appropriate filtering and monitoring systems in place and regularly review their effectiveness.
The consultation proposes adding that governing bodies and proprietors should ‘carry out a review of their effectiveness at least once every academic year’. Previously, guidance said schools had to monitor the effectiveness of its systems but did not give a timeframe.
Annual, documented reviews are essential to demonstrate that schools and colleges are taking timely and effective action to keep children safe online, particularly given the increasing risks from harmful digital content, AI generated material, and rapid changes in online behaviour.
Other proposed changes to KCSiE include:
Serious violence – Draft guidance states that school and college staff should report concerns about a child carrying a weapon, using a weapon or expressing intent to use one to the dedicated safeguarding lead (DSL).
Mental health as a safeguarding concern – New draft guidance makes it clear that mental health problems “in some cases can develop into safeguarding concerns with aims to provide a clearer high-level overview of how mental health may intersect with safeguarding duties – particularly in cases involving serious risks such as self-harm, eating disorders, or suicidal notions.
‘Deepfakes’ are child-on-child abuse – The draft guidance contains updated categories of child-on-child abuse to reflect technological advances.
This includes “consensual and non-consensual sharing of self-generated intimate images and/or videos including those generated using AI e.g. deepfakes.
Misogyny – It also adds misogyny as a form of harmful sexual behaviour, as well as sexual violence and harassment and explicitly states that upskirting is a criminal offence to reflect the law changes.
New domestic abuse reporting duty – The draft guidance also includes new details on ‘operation encompass’, the statutory duty for police to notify a child’s school if they believe a child may be a victim of domestic abuse.
Racism’ and derogatory behaviour – the draft guidance aligns with existing expectations set out in Ofsted’s inspection framework, promoting fundamental British values and addressing discriminatory behaviour as part of a whole-school safeguarding approach, creating inclusive, respectful environments and links to RSHE resources.
Artificial intelligence – The consultation outlines key safety considerations and legal responsibilities for schools and colleges when using generative AI in both teacher-facing and pupil-facing contexts.
Alternative provision – additional detail includes the clarification of safeguarding responsibilities for children with medical conditions, children absent from education, and those in alternative provision education.
Information sharing – strengthened guidance on the transfer of child protection files.
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