The Department for Education, in finalising the Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance 2026, and in any necessary amendments to other policy and guidance, should ensure that:
1. In cases where a child leaves a school because of permanent exclusion, there is absolute clarity concerning the relative responsibilities of the excluding school and the local authority over the transfer of (i) the Common Transfer File and (ii) safeguarding information to the next school.
2. Better guidance is given of the circumstances in which safeguarding information is to be shared in advance of: (i) an offer of a placement; and (ii) the transfer of a pupil. This should include, in particular, where this would aid arrangements that may be necessary for the safety of other pupils or staff because there is relevant information concerning the child’s risk to others.
3. There is absolute clarity over the extent to which risk to others information is expected to be covered in an Education, Health and Care Plan. There should be consistency (which is currently lacking) about whether risk to others is addressed in an Education, Health and Care Plan. However, it must be made clear that an Education, Health and Care Plan (even if one is in place) is not a substitute for the proper exchange of information between schools on the risk that a student may pose to others.
4. The arrangements for the exchange of safeguarding information are not prone to a single point of failure (such as a Designated Safeguarding Lead who is absent or unwell and does not read an incoming email). While the current guidance refers to obtaining confirmation of receipt, there is a case for strengthening the guidance with a clear mechanism at a fixed time to ensure the exchange of information has been effected. There is also a case for the introduction of a formal ‘sign-off’ by the Designated Safeguarding Lead (with appropriate contingencies in place) to confirm that safeguarding information has been received, reviewed and acted upon prior to a pupil being offered a place and prior to the pupil moving to the school.
5. Ensuring that appropriate safeguarding information about a pupil joining a school is shared with relevant staff at the school (e.g. form tutors) before the pupil begins at school.
6. Ensuring that incidents of serious concern, particularly including the use of weapons and intent to seriously harm other pupils, are given appropriate prominence when safeguarding information is shared.
7. Ensuring, where a pupil has a history of possession of a knife or other offensive weapon, that the Designated Safeguarding Lead of the receiving school carries out a risk assessment and implements a safety plan prior to their transfer.