RLB Safeguarding | November 12th 2026
The past week has brought several important developments for professionals working with children and young people, including new criminal law provisions, updated case review learning and changes to education guidance.
At RLB Safeguarding, we've brought together the developments that deserve attention and considered what they mean for safeguarding practice.
1. New Child Abduction and Pornography Offence Provisions Come into Force
Ministry of Justice | 6 November 2026 | Legislative commencement
The Ministry of Justice has published a circular confirming the commencement of sections 104, 105, 107 and 137 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026.
The provisions concern offences involving:
Detaining a child abroad without appropriate consent.
Possession and publication of pornography depicting strangulation or suffocation.
Pornography depicting sexual activity between certain family members.
Pornography depicting sexual activity involving someone under 16, or pretending to be under 16.
These are criminal law developments in England and Wales, rather than new organisational safeguarding reporting duties.
Why this matters
Safeguarding leaders should ensure that staff understand the relevance of criminal offences to recognising risk, responding to disclosures and escalating concerns.
Schools, colleges, charities and organisations working with children should review whether their safeguarding training appropriately addresses sexual exploitation, harmful sexual material, coercion and child abduction concerns.
Staff should not be expected to determine whether a criminal offence has been committed before taking appropriate safeguarding action.
Original source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/moj-circular-child-abduction-and-pornography-offences
2. NSPCC Publishes November Case Review Learning
NSPCC Learning | Updated 11 November 2026 | Case review evidence
The NSPCC's latest monthly case review update includes important learning from reviews involving chronic neglect, serious injuries to infants and multi-agency safeguarding responses.
The Bedford review examines neglect involving large sibling groups, including cumulative harm, parental non-engagement, assessment quality, professional curiosity and the need to understand each child's lived experience.
An Essex review highlights the importance of involving fathers and male carers, culturally competent practice, professional challenge and reflective multi-agency assessment.
A Glasgow review reinforces the importance of pre-birth assessment, recognising domestic abuse, sharing information and maintaining effective escalation arrangements.
Why this matters
These reviews highlight recurring challenges in safeguarding practice.
Recognising concerns is not enough if agencies fail to understand cumulative harm, challenge assumptions or coordinate effective responses.
Organisations should consider how their safeguarding supervision, audits and quality assurance processes test the effectiveness of decision-making, rather than simply whether procedures have been followed.
Original source: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/case-reviews/monthly-case-reviews-update
3. DfE Announces Stronger Expectations for Phone-Free Schools
Department for Education | 10 November 2026 | Policy guidance and consultation
The Department for Education has announced strengthened guidance supporting schools to keep mobile phones inaccessible throughout the school day.
The approach goes beyond arrangements where phones remain in pupils' bags but are expected not to be seen or heard.
The announcement also includes a consultation exploring stronger safety standards for education technology, including possible independent certification.
Why this matters
Schools should consider how mobile phone policies interact with safeguarding, behaviour, online safety and individual pupil needs.
Restrictions should be implemented consistently while taking account of reasonable adjustments, accessibility and legitimate safeguarding considerations.
The EdTech consultation also raises wider questions about how schools assess the safety of digital products used by children.
The consultation proposals should not be presented as existing statutory requirements.
Original source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/strengthened-guidance-to-take-the-next-leap-to-phone-free-schools
4. DfE Updates Its School Attendance Monitoring Guide
Department for Education | Updated 5 November 2026 | Operational guidance
The DfE has updated its guidance for the Monitor Your School Attendance tool.
The tool supports schools, trusts and local authorities to identify attendance trends, compare information and recognise pupils who may need additional support.
Why this matters
Attendance information can be an important safeguarding indicator, particularly where absence is associated with unmet needs, exploitation, neglect, anxiety or wider family difficulties.
However, attendance data should never be interpreted in isolation.
Schools should combine information with professional curiosity, appropriate engagement with children and families, and effective multi-agency working.
This is an operational guidance update, not a new safeguarding duty.
Original source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/monitor-your-school-attendance-user-guide/monitor-your-school-attendance-user-guide
What Should Safeguarding Leaders Take Away?
These developments reinforce the importance of understanding both the legal framework and the practical realities of safeguarding.
Organisations should consider whether staff can recognise emerging risks, whether professional challenge is encouraged and whether safeguarding decisions are informed by a sufficiently complete picture of the child.
At RLB Safeguarding, we support organisations to strengthen safeguarding arrangements through audits, consultancy, training and professional supervision, with a focus on effective practice and meaningful outcomes.
Safeguarding is not simply about recognising concerns. It is about understanding them, responding appropriately and ensuring that children receive the support and protection they need.