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Applies to all schools in England (maintained, academies, free schools, independent, special).   Purpose of the Guidance The Department for Education (DfE) has strengthened its expectations and now states that all schools should be mobile phone–free environments by default, with exceptions only in specific, justified circumstances.     This guidance is non‑statutory, but Ofsted will begin checking school policies and their implementation during inspections from 1 April 2026.   Prohibiting the use of mobile phones in school All schools should operate as mobile‑phone‑free environments by default, ensuring that pupils do not have access to their devices throughout the school day. Behaviour policies must clearly set out the expectations regarding the prohibition of mobile phones and outline the standards pupils are required to meet. While Bring Your Own Device schemes may allow the use of laptops or tablets for learning, they must not include mob...

Purpose of the Guidance The April 2026 Department for Education guidance on restrictive interventions provides schools with a comprehensive framework for understanding the safe, lawful and appropriate use of restrictive interventions, including reasonable force and seclusion. The guidance emphasises that while such interventions can have profound emotional and physical impacts on pupils, staff and families, there may be rare occasions where they are essential to maintain safety. The overall purpose is therefore twofold: to support schools in proactively reducing the need for restrictive interventions through prevention and de‑escalation, and to ensure that when interventions are necessary, they are carried out lawfully and proportionately.   Status of the Guidance and Legal Framework Only certain sections of the document are statutory, with legal force - most notably the requirements around recording and reporting the use of force, seclusion and restraint. These arise from th...

Introduction Martyn’s Law - formally the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 - is one of the most significant pieces of counter ‑ terrorism legislation introduced in the United Kingdom in recent years. It aims to enhance the safety and preparedness of publicly accessible venues and events in response to the ongoing threat of terrorism. The Act is named in honour of Martyn Hett, one of the 22 victims of the Manchester Arena bombing on 22 May 2017. The campaign for the law was led by his mother, Figen Murray OBE, whose efforts have been central in shaping the legislation.   The Act received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025, completing its passage through Parliament after several years of consultation, drafting and scrutiny.   It creates a legal duty for those responsible for certain premises and events to take “reasonably practicable steps” to improve security, prepare for terrorism ‑ related incidents, and reduce risk to the public. These duties are proportionate, tie...

  Introduction The Worker Protection Act 2023, formally enacted as 2023 c. 51, is a significant update to UK employment law designed to strengthen protections against workplace sexual harassment. Building on the Equality Act 2010, this Act introduces a clear statutory duty for employers to prevent sexual harassment rather than solely responding to incidents after they occur. Sexual harassment in this context includes unwanted conduct of a sexual nature, which has the purpose or effect of violating a person’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment. The law applies across England, Wales, and Scotland, but does not extend to Northern Ireland. The Act came into force one year after receiving Royal Assent, on 26 October 2024, providing employers with time to implement preventative policies, training, and reporting mechanisms. Its introduction reflects a cultural shift in employment law, emphasising proactive safeguarding in workp...

  Children Missing Education – Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities and Schools The Department for Education’s statutory guidance on Children Missing Education (CME) sets out the legal duties placed on local authorities and the expectations for schools in England to ensure that every child of compulsory school age receives a suitable full-time education. Children missing education are those who are not registered at a school and are not receiving suitable education otherwise, for example through approved home education. Identifying and supporting these children is vital because they are at increased risk of harm, exploitation, neglect, disengagement from learning, and poorer long-term life outcomes. Early identification, rapid intervention and strong partnership working are essential principles underpinning the guidance. Legal duties and safeguarding context The guidance emphasises the fundamental right of every child to education and the statutory requirement for local a...