What are the mandatory pre-employment checks under KCSIE 2025?

Mandatory checks include: Enhanced DBS check with barred list check for regulated activity, right to work verification, identity check, prohibition from teaching check, Section 128 direction check for management roles, overseas criminal records check where applicable, references from at least two employers, medical fitness confirmation, and qualifications verification.

What is the Single Central Record and who needs to maintain it?

The Single Central Record (SCR) is a legally required register that all maintained schools, academies, and independent schools must maintain. It records all pre-employment checks carried out on staff, supply staff, contractors, and volunteers. It must be kept up to date and made available to Ofsted inspectors on request.

When does KCSIE get updated next?

KCSIE is reviewed annually by the Department for Education, with updates typically coming into force each September. The 2026 update is expected to be more significant, incorporating changes from the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

KCSIE 2025 mandatory background checks for UK schools — Avvanz

Introduction
Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) is the statutory guidance that sets out the legal responsibilities of schools and colleges in England to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Published by the Department for Education (DfE), it is updated annually — and compliance is not optional.

The 2025 version came into force on 1 September 2025, replacing all previous editions. While the majority of changes this year are technical in nature — such as updated links and document titles — there are several more significant updates that school leaders, DSLs, governors, trustees, and HR teams need to be aware of.

This article breaks down what has changed, what remains the same, and what your school or trust needs to do to stay compliant.

What Is KCSIE and Who Does It Apply To?

KCSIE applies to all schools and colleges in England — including maintained schools, academies, free schools, independent schools, and further education providers. It covers headteachers, governors, trustees, all teaching and non-teaching staff, supply staff, contractors, and volunteers.

All staff working directly with children are expected to read at least Part 1 of KCSIE. Those who do not work directly with children can read the condensed version in Annex A.

What Changed in KCSIE 2025?

1. Stronger Focus on Online Safety

The 2025 update introduces a stronger focus on online risks, specifically adding misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories to the list of content risks schools must consider under online safety obligations. A new DfE self-assessment tool has also been referenced to help schools meet filtering and monitoring standards, alongside a link to the DfE's AI in Education guidance to support safe technology use.

2. Generative AI Guidance

A link to the DfE's guidance on generative AI product safety expectations has been added. The guidance supports schools to use AI safely and to understand the filtering and monitoring requirements around AI tools.

3. Alternative Provision Checks

Clarification has been added regarding the checks schools must carry out when using alternative provision, aligning with the DfE guidance updated in February 2025. Schools continue to be responsible for the safeguarding of pupils they place with an alternative provision provider.

4. Virtual School Heads — Expanded Responsibilities

Virtual School Heads are now expected to promote educational outcomes not only for looked-after children, but also those with a social worker or in kinship care.

5. Attendance as a Safeguarding Concern

Clarification has been added that being absent — as well as missing — from education can be a warning sign of a range of safeguarding concerns, including sexual abuse and sexual exploitation.

6. Safer Recruitment — Online Searches

Schools and colleges should now inform shortlisted candidates that online searches may be conducted as part of due diligence checks. This adds a new transparency obligation to the safer recruitment process.

7. Terminology Updates

The term "autism spectrum disorder" has been replaced with "autism", aligning with current SEND guidance and inclusive terminology.

8. RSHE Guidance — Coming Soon

With the September 2026 deadline for implementing updated Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) guidance, KCSIE 2025 directs schools to the DfE one-stop RSHE hub, which includes teacher training modules on digital safety, AI, deepfakes, online harms, misogyny, gender, and mental health.

9. Gender Questioning Children

KCSIE notes that government guidance on gender questioning children will be published soon. In the meantime, schools are directed to Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance for key considerations.

Avvanz ScreenGlobal platform for KCSIE-compliant background screening in UK schools

What Has NOT Changed in KCSIE 2025?

There are no changes to Part 1 of KCSIE for 2025. The core safeguarding responsibilities — child protection policies, staff training obligations, and the role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) — remain unchanged from 2024.

The mandatory pre-employment checks also remain the same:

Enhanced DBS check (with barred list check for regulated activity)
Right to work in the UK verification
Identity verification
Prohibition from teaching check
Section 128 direction check (for management roles)
Overseas criminal records check where applicable
Reference checks (minimum two, including most recent employer)
Medical fitness confirmation
Qualifications verification

What Should Schools Do Now?

These amendments may look modest, yet each one carries operational weight. Inspectors will expect every reference in your safeguarding and attendance policies to align with the 2025 text. Schools should:

Review and update their safeguarding and child protection policy against the 2025 guidance
Brief all staff on relevant changes at the start of the academic year
Update their online safety policy to reflect new content risks including misinformation and AI
Review alternative provision arrangements and ensure robust checks are in place
Inform shortlisted candidates during recruitment that online searches will be conducted
Ensure the Single Central Record (SCR) remains accurate and inspection-ready

Looking Ahead: What to Expect in KCSIE 2026

Next year's update to KCSIE is expected to be more significant, incorporating developments from legislative changes via the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill. Schools and MATs should monitor DfE announcements throughout 2025 and 2026 to stay ahead of forthcoming changes.

How Avvanz Supports KCSIE Compliance

Avvanz ScreenGlobal is a multi-award winning background screening platform trusted by schools, multi-academy trusts, and education providers across the UK. Our solution covers every mandatory KCSIE pre-employment check in a single, compliant workflow — reducing administrative burden, eliminating manual errors, and ensuring your Single Central Record is always audit-ready.

Whether you are a single primary school or a large MAT managing multiple sites, Avvanz scales to meet your needs. Contact our team at consult@avvanz.com or request a demo at avvanz.com/contact-us.

Share this story:

Latest Blog

Q: What changed in KCSIE 2025?

KCSIE 2025 came into force on 1 September 2025. Key changes include a stronger focus on online safety risks such as misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories; new DfE guidance on generative AI in schools; clarification on alternative provision checks; expanded responsibilities for Virtual School Heads; and a new requirement to inform shortlisted candidates that online searches may be conducted as part of safer recruitment.

Q: Does KCSIE 2025 apply to independent schools?

Yes. KCSIE applies to all schools and colleges in England, including maintained schools, academies, free schools, and independent schools, as well as further education providers.

UK DBS Checks

DBS checks are a cornerstone of KCSIE compliance. Find out what types of checks are required for different roles and how Avvanz makes it seamless.

BPSS and Safer Recruitment in UK Schools

Beyond DBS, safer recruitment requires a layered approach to vetting. Learn how BPSS principles apply in an education context.

KCSIE-Compliant Background Checks

Avvanz helps UK schools and MATs meet KCSIE 2025 requirements with fast, compliant background checks and screening solutions.

Published by Avvanz | About Us

External sources: Department for Education KCSIE 2025 Guidance | Ofsted | Teaching Regulation Agency

KCSIE 2025: What Every School, Academy and MAT Must Know