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  Introduction   The Information Sharing Duty Statutory Guidance was issued following the introduction of the new information sharing duty within Section 16LA of the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026, which amended the Children Act 2004. The guidance has been produced to address a long-standing problem identified by safeguarding practitioners: uncertainty about when information can legally and appropriately be shared to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.   For many years, safeguarding reviews repeatedly identified poor information sharing in many cases where children experienced significant harm. Practitioners often felt constrained by concerns about confidentiality, consent, data protection legislation, or uncertainty about thresholds for intervention.   This guidance seeks to remove those barriers by creating a clear expectation that relevant information should be shared when doing so may help another agency assess need, identify ris...

  Learning outcomes By the end of the briefing, participants will be able to: 1.       Explain the key KCSIE expectations relating to children who are questioning their gender and requests for support with social transition. 2.      Identify the safeguarding considerations leaders must take into account, including vulnerability, bullying, family context, mental health, psychosocial needs and the welfare of other children. 3.      Describe the school or college decision-making process for considering requests, including parental involvement, DSL input, professional advice, documentation and review. 4.      Understand the governance role in assuring that policies, records, staff practice and leadership decisions are consistent with the updated guidance. Overall aim The briefing should give leadership teams and governance roles a clear understanding of: ·     ...

Introduction In July 2026, the Department for Education published new statutory guidance on Allergy Safety in Schools . The guidance strengthens expectations around how schools identify, manage and respond to allergies and anaphylaxis. It reflects growing awareness of the increasing number of children and young people living with allergies and the potentially life-threatening consequences of allergic reactions. The guidance makes clear that allergy safety is not simply a medical issue. It is also a safeguarding, health and safety, equality and inclusion responsibility. The publication of this statutory guidance follows significant national campaigning by the family of Benedict Blythe following his death from anaphylaxis at school in 2021. Often referred to as 'Benedict's Law', the campaign called for stronger and more consistent allergy safety arrangements within schools. The subsequent Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 introduced new allergy safety duties, whic...