This page provides direct links to every source document referenced in Safeguarding and Child Protection: A Reference Guide for Governors and Trustees. All documents are hosted on gov.uk or the Ofsted website and are free to access. URLs verified May 2026.

Statutory safeguarding guidance

Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025 (KCSIE 2025)
Department for Education, September 2025
Main document page 

Working Together to Safeguard Children (March 2026 update)
Department for Education, March 2026
Main document page

Restrictive Interventions including Reasonable Force in Schools
Department for Education, April 2026. Statutory guidance on recording and reporting (page 14); remainder non-statutory.
Main document page

Inspection

State-funded Schools Inspection Toolkit, version 1.1
Ofsted, November 2025. The safeguarding section (pages 3–9) sets out the met/not met criteria.
Toolkit and operating guides page

Governance: maintained schools

Maintained Schools Governance Guide
Department for Education, November 2025. Replaces the Governance Handbook for maintained schools.
Full guidance

Governance: academy trusts

Academy Trust Handbook 2025
Department for Education, effective September 2025. Compliance is a condition of the funding agreement.
Full handbook 

Academy Trust Governance Guide
Department for Education, November 2025. Replaces the Governance Handbook for academy trusts. Section 4.6 covers DBS and Section 128 check requirements for members, trustees and committee members.
Full guidance

Cyber security and safer recruitment

Cyber Security Standards for Schools and Colleges
Department for Education, updated April 2026.
Cyber security standards  |  Filtering and monitoring standards  |  Plan technology for your school (self-assessment tool)

Barring Unsuitable Individuals from Managing Independent Schools (Section 128 guidance)
Department for Education, updated December 2025.
Main document page  |  Individuals prohibited from managing or governing schools