The Department for Education has released the updated Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026, the statutory guidance that defines how all organisations in England must work together to promote the welfare and protection of children. This update replaces previous versions of the guidance and provides a strengthened national framework for multi-agency safeguarding arrangements.

Purpose and Status of the Guidance

As statutory guidance issued under legislation, organisations must follow it unless there is a clear and defensible reason not to. This reflects the central role the document plays in shaping practice across the safeguarding system, ensuring consistency and clarity in how agencies work together to keep children safe.

The guidance applies to all organisations with functions relating to children, including but not limited to local authorities, health services, police forces, education providers, children’s homes, youth offending teams, adult social care, immigration services, and voluntary and community sector organisations.

Key Components of the 2026 Publication

A range of core documents have been issued as part of the 2026 update:

1. Full Statutory Guidance (176 pages)

This document outlines expectations for safeguarding partners, the duties of agencies, accountability structures and requirements for responding to harm, risk and need. It provides comprehensive guidance on multi agency working, thresholds, assessments, interventions and professional responsibilities. View here.

2. Summary of Changes

A concise overview highlighting amendments, additions and structural updates. This is designed to support quicker orientation to the revised areas of practice. View here.

3. Statutory Framework (15 pages)

This companion document outlines the legislation underpinning safeguarding duties, clarifying how statutory responsibilities align with the guidance. It is intended to be read alongside the main publication. View here.

4. Illustrated Guide for Children, Young People and Families (60 pages)

Developed through co production with children and young people, supported by the National Children’s Bureau and the Department’s Social Care Advisory Board, this guide offers an accessible explanation of safeguarding processes. The resources include an animated video and a practitioner toolkit that can be requested directly. View here.

Target Audience

This guidance is essential for:

• Safeguarding partners (local authorities, health, police)

• Directors of children’s services

• Education providers and childcare settings

• Social workers and health professionals

• Police and youth justice services

• Children’s homes and secure establishments

• Housing and homelessness services

• VCSE organisations, faith-based groups and private sector partners

• Immigration, probation and family court services

  
  

Its scope reflects the expectation that safeguarding is a shared responsibility across all sectors and settings where children may interact with services.

Key Themes Emphasised in the 2026 Update

Although further sector analysis will follow, the publication emphasises several important themes:

• A whole system safeguarding approach, ensuring agencies do not work in isolation but as a coordinated partnership.

• Clear statutory thresholds and expectations, supporting consistent decision making and reducing variability in practice.

• Improved accessibility and engagement, demonstrated through co-produced child friendly materials.

• Strengthened accountability, ensuring clarity around roles, responsibilities and legal duties.

These themes align with the national framework for children’s social care improvement.

Supporting Implementation

The Department for Education has encouraged practitioners to use the accompanying resources including the child friendly guide, video and toolkit. These materials are intended to support direct work, enhance understanding across professional groups and help families better navigate safeguarding processes.

Call to Action

All safeguarding partners, professionals and relevant organisations are encouraged to review the full Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 publication to ensure alignment with updated national expectations and statutory responsibilities. This will support consistent safeguarding practice across all agencies and strengthen the quality of multi-agency work.