Amendments

In January 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.

In January 2026, a new Section 12, Safeguarding for Over 18 Years Old was added to this chapter.

In January 2026, information was added into Section 2, What is County Lines Offending? And additional guidance was added in Further Information.

In January 2026, a new Section 4, Note on Language was added to the chapter.

In July 2025, this chapter was refreshed and a link was 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 July 2024, information was added in relation to sexually coerced extortion.

In July 2025, a new Section 3, Child Financial Exploitation was added.

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

This chapter was updated in January 2025, to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets - GOV.UK in the Related Guidance Section.

This chapter was updated in January 2025.

This chapter was refreshed in January 2025.

This chapter was refreshed in January 2025.

This chapter was updated in January 2025, to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets - GOV.UK in Section 3.3, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks.

This chapter was added in January 2025.

In January 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.