Amendments

In February 2026, this chapter was refreshed.

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

In February 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 August 2025, information in relation to sexually coerced extortion was added into Section 3, Risks.

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

This chapter was refreshed in August 2025.

Section 2, Home Remedies was amended in August 2025 to include the increasing advisory role pharmacists play re over the counter medication.

In August 2025, information in relation to bunk beds was added into Section 8, Accommodation, Bedroom Space and Sharing.

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

In August 2025, this chapter was refreshed.

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

This chapter was updated in August 2025 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets (GOV.UK) in Section 2.3, Disclosure and Barring Service Checks.