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ARTICLE · 07 OCTOBER 2026

KCSIE 2026 – The Main Changes And Action Required: Gender Questioning Children

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The 2026 update to Keeping children safe in education introduces the most significant changes in years, requiring all schools to review their safeguarding policies and operational practices. Among the most substantive changes is the new requirement for all staff to read Part One in full, with the previously condensed version now withdrawn. The guidance introduces comprehensive new provisions for supporting gender questioning children through a safeguarding lens, establishing clear protocols for social trans

United KingdomConsumer Protection
Theresa Kerr
Theresa Kerr
Tracey Eldridge-Hinmers
Tracey Eldridge-Hinmers

The 2026 update to Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE) came into effect from 1 September 2026. As a result of the changes, schools will need to review their safeguarding policies, together with training and day to day operational practices, as this year’s update provides the most significant update that we have seen for some time.

One of the most substantive changes is that all staff are now required to read Part One in full, Annexe A, the previously condensed Part One having now been withdrawn.

We have highlighted further significant changes below and in our separate articles on the new guidance. This article examines the changes relating to gender questioning children.

Gender questioning children – Paras 252-282

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