The academic year 2025/26 has arrived, and to kick it off, we are here to provide you with a round-up of the key updates in the latest versions of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and School Teachers Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD), effective from 1 September 2025.
Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE 2025)
- Online Safety: expanded scope and training:
Training should now include risks around misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories, reflected in an expanded definition of online harm under the "4 Cs" framework (content, contact, conduct, commerce). - Filtering & Monitoring Systems:
Updated guidance reinforces the need for robust filtering and monitoring technology. Schools and Trusts should work closely with IT to ensure compliance and update internal safeguarding policies accordingly. - RSHE and Gender-Questioning Children:
Revised guidance surrounding RSHE (Relationships, Sex and Health Education) was published in July 2025, with the expectation that Schools and Trusts adapt to such guidance by 1st September 2026. In the meantime, Schools and Trusts may begin to implement the guidance when they feel ready. - Alternative Provision:
Written confirmation is now required from an alternative provision provider regarding safeguarding checks of those employed by the provider, ensuring at least half-termly reviews of the placement are carried out, and placements immediately terminate if a safeguarding concern arises. - Inclusive language updates:
Terminology within the guidance has been adapted to promote inclusion. Terms such as ‘autism spectrum disorder’ has been replaced with ‘autism’ to align with SEND Code of Practice.
A full summary of changes can be found in Annex F of the 2025 guidance document.
School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD 2025)
- Performance-related pay has formally been removed, and schools/trusts should adopt pay policies aligned with the new framework from 1 September 2025.
- Pay ranges have been updated to include the agreed 4% pay uplift to all ranges and allowances.
- From 1 September 2025, schools/trusts may award a TLR based on the proportion of duties carried out rather than working hours, providing more flexibility. Note, however, that this will be a requirement from 1 September 2026 rather than an option.
A full summary of changes can be found in Section 1 of the 2025 guidance document.
If not already in progress, Schools and Trusts should now be arranging amendments to policies and updating staff on these statutory changes to ensure full compliance.
For confidential advice on implementing the above changes, please contact us at [email protected] for a confidential chat with our senior team about how Edwin People can support your School or Trust.
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