RLB Safeguarding | 5 November 2026
November has begun with several important safeguarding developments across education, health, adult social care and community safety.
From revised Ofsted guidance on restrictive practices to proposals supporting young adults who lack mental capacity, these developments highlight the importance of safeguarding governance, prevention, professional accountability and protecting people's rights.
Here is our latest round-up of developments published between 2 and 4 November, including what they mean for organisations.
1. New Martyn's Law Guidance for Education and Childcare Settings
Department for Education | 3 November 2026 | Non-statutory guidance
The DfE has published new guidance explaining how the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 applies to education and childcare settings in England.
The document addresses which premises fall within scope, who is legally responsible and what qualifying organisations will be expected to do.
For education providers, this includes important considerations around emergency preparedness, evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication arrangements.
The substantive duties are not yet in force.
Safeguarding implication: Schools, colleges, childcare providers and training organisations should review their likely position under the legislation, clarify governance responsibilities and assess existing emergency arrangements.
Read our separate RLB article on Martyn's Law and education for a more detailed explanation.
2. Ofsted Updates Guidance on Restraint and Restrictive Practices
Ofsted | Updated 3 November 2026 | Inspection guidance
Ofsted has updated its guidance for inspectors and providers on restraint, physical intervention and restrictions of liberty.
The guidance reflects the revised Department for Education approach to restraint and restrictive practices in schools.
It emphasises children's rights, positive relationships, understanding individual needs, de-escalation and the importance of reviewing the impact of restrictive interventions.
The guidance also addresses recording and reporting expectations and recognises that the requirements applying to schools and children's homes differ.
Safeguarding implication: Providers should examine whether restrictive interventions are genuinely necessary and proportionate, whether incidents are appropriately recorded and reviewed, and whether leaders use this information to improve practice.
3. Proposed Reforms to Child Trust Fund Access for Young Adults Lacking Mental Capacity
Ministry of Justice and HM Treasury | 3 November 2026 | Proposed legislative reform
The government has announced plans to simplify access to Child Trust Funds for young adults who lack mental capacity to make the relevant financial decisions.
The current arrangements can require families to seek authority through the Court of Protection.
The proposed reforms would introduce a simpler route, with safeguards intended to protect the financial interests of young adults.
The government estimates that between 63,000 and 126,000 young adults could benefit.
Safeguarding implication: This development raises important questions about financial safeguarding, empowerment, supported decision-making and ensuring that people can access their own resources.
The proposals are not yet law. Existing legal requirements continue to apply.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/child-trust-fund-injustice-to-end-under-government-plans
4. Home Office Launches No Place for Knives Campaign
Home Office | 2 November 2026 | Prevention and enforcement campaign
The Home Office has launched a targeted knife crime campaign in parts of Westminster, Croydon and Birmingham.
The campaign combines public messaging about increased police activity with wider local interventions.
It forms part of broader efforts to prevent serious violence, including youth outreach and community safety initiatives.
Safeguarding implication: Education, youth and community organisations should continue to recognise the links between serious violence, exploitation, peer influence and the circumstances that may place young people at risk.
Early identification, trusted relationships and effective multi-agency working remain essential.
This campaign does not introduce a new national safeguarding duty.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/no-place-for-knives-campaign-launches-in-london-hotspots
5. MHRA Encourages Patient Safety Reporting During MedSafetyWeek
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency | 2 November 2026 | Awareness campaign
MedSafetyWeek takes place from 2–8 November 2026.
The MHRA is encouraging patients, carers and healthcare professionals to report suspected side effects, medical-device incidents and other product safety concerns through the Yellow Card scheme.
The campaign also highlights the importance of recognising and reporting potential safety issues involving AI-enabled medical devices.
Safeguarding implication: Health and care organisations should ensure that people understand how to raise safety concerns, including those who may experience barriers to communication or reporting.
Yellow Card reporting complements, rather than replaces, appropriate clinical, incident-reporting and safeguarding processes.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mhra-launches-patient-safety-essay-competition-for-medsafetyweek
What Should Organisations Take Away?
These developments concern different sectors and legal frameworks, but they reinforce several important principles:
Leadership and accountability: Organisations must understand who is responsible for decisions and how assurance is provided.
Prevention and preparedness: Effective safeguarding involves anticipating and reducing risks, not simply responding after harm occurs.
Rights and empowerment: Safeguarding responses should respect individual needs, choices and legal rights.
Professional practice: Recording, reporting, information sharing and reflective learning must support meaningful improvements.
Importantly, organisations should distinguish between existing legal duties, new guidance, proposals and awareness campaigns.
Not every government announcement introduces a new legal requirement.
At RLB Safeguarding, we support organisations to interpret developments, review their safeguarding arrangements and strengthen governance through audits, consultancy, training and professional supervision.
Our focus remains on ensuring that safeguarding is effective in practice, not simply documented in policy.