KCSIE 2026: what it means for recruitment and references.
Keeping children safe in education 2026 came into force on 1 September 2026. Here is what changed for safer recruitment, and what stayed the same for references.
What does Keeping children safe in education 2026 change for recruitment?
Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE) 2026 is the Department for Education's statutory safeguarding guidance for schools and colleges in England, in force from 1 September 2026. For recruitment, the biggest change is that volunteers who regularly teach, train, instruct or supervise children are now in regulated activity. The reference rules in Part three are broadly unchanged. RefAssure handles that reference part.
KCSIE 2026: the safer recruitment changes
KCSIE is updated each year. The 2026 edition was one of the larger updates, with Part one and Part five substantially revised. Part three, safer recruitment, changed in these ways (see Annex C of the guidance for DfE's full summary):
- The supervision exemption has gone. The Crime and Policing Act 2026 changed the definition of regulated activity. Anyone volunteering in a role that involves teaching, training, instructing or supervising children frequently, on more than 3 days in a 30-day period, or overnight, is now in regulated activity whether or not they are supervised.
- Volunteers need enhanced DBS checks with barred list information where they are in regulated activity. Existing volunteers who moved into regulated activity on 1 September 2026 must have their children's barred list status checked.
- Check a teacher's record. References to the TRA Employer Access service now point to DfE's Check a teacher's record, used for prohibition, section 128, QTS and induction checks.
- DBS Update Service timing. The guidance now notes that people can join within 30 calendar days of the certificate's issue date.
- Clearer regulated activity section, with the old DBS check flowchart removed and the visitors and work experience sections rewritten.
Outside Part three, every member of staff is now expected to read Part one in full, as the condensed Annex A has been removed. Always read the current guidance on GOV.UK before changing your policy.
The reference rules in Part three.
These rules carry over from previous years. They are what an inspector will expect your recruitment files to show.
Before interview
Obtain references before interview where possible, so concerns can be explored with the referee and the candidate.
No open references
Do not accept open references such as to whom it may concern, and do not rely on applicants to obtain their own.
Current employer
References should come from the current employer and a senior person with authority. For school-based referees, the head confirms disciplinary details.
Last work with children
If the applicant is not currently working with children, get a reference from the last employer where they did.
Verify and compare
Check electronic references come from a legitimate source, verify with the referee, and take up any discrepancies with the candidate.
Resolve concerns first
Establish why the candidate left and resolve any concerns satisfactorily before the appointment is confirmed.
References before interview, without the phone tag.
RefAssure sends each referee a secure link, chases them and files a signed PDF, so references are back in time for shortlisting and interview.
- Candidate consent collected online, with signature, before any referee is contacted
- Referees answer on any device, no login, and sign the reference
- Bounced emails flagged, most within minutes, so you can fix the address
- Median turnaround about 23 hours across 229 completed references
Chased for you, day by day.
5 emails and up to 2 texts over 12 days, stopping the moment the referee replies.
KCSIE 2026 questions
More in the full FAQs.
When did KCSIE 2026 come into force?
Keeping children safe in education 2026 came into force on 1 September 2026, replacing the 2025 edition. DfE published it in July 2026 after a consultation draft earlier in the year. The current version is on GOV.UK.
Does KCSIE 2026 change how many references we need?
No. KCSIE does not set a number of references. It sets rules on who they come from, when to get them and how to verify them. Many schools ask for two. Our safer recruitment checklist walks through each step.
Does KCSIE allow online searches on candidates?
Yes. KCSIE says schools and colleges should consider carrying out an online search as part of due diligence on shortlisted candidates, and should tell shortlisted candidates this may happen. It is a separate step from references.
Are references required on the single central record?
No. References are not on the statutory list of checks for the single central record, though schools may record extra information if they choose. Keep the reference itself on the personnel file. See our single central record guide.
Does KCSIE 2026 affect school volunteers?
Yes. With the supervision exemption removed, volunteers who teach, train, instruct or supervise children frequently or overnight are in regulated activity and need an enhanced DBS check with children's barred list information. Our DBS checks guide explains check levels.
Is RefAssure KCSIE approved?
No software is approved by DfE. RefAssure supports the reference part of KCSIE: written references from referees directly, with signed consent, automatic chasing and a timestamped PDF you can show an inspector. You add the questions your school expects to your template once.
Related guides
KCSIE references, back before interview.
Your first reference is free. Two minutes to send, and RefAssure does the chasing.