22 October 2026 | RLB Safeguarding
Several important developments have emerged this week, with implications for safeguarding children and adults across education, housing, health, social care and public-facing organisations.
These include the government's response to an independent review of antisemitism in schools and colleges, further proposed legal protections for survivors of domestic abuse, new findings from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), and a consultation on high-risk cosmetic procedures.
We explore the key developments, what has changed and what organisations should consider in practice.
1. Government Accepts All 27 Recommendations from Antisemitism Review
Published: 21 October 2026 | England
The Department for Education has published Sir David Bell's independent review into antisemitism in schools and colleges, alongside the government's response accepting all 27 recommendations.
The review raises significant concerns about the experiences of Jewish children, young people and staff, including antisemitic harassment, discrimination and abuse.
One particularly concerning finding is that three in five Jewish pupils aged 16–19 surveyed had experienced or witnessed antisemitism.
The government's response includes commitments to:
Introduce dedicated antisemitism training for education leaders and safeguarding staff.
Strengthen safeguarding guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education.
Improve the reporting and recording of antisemitic incidents.
Provide additional support to schools, colleges and local authorities managing complex cases.
Develop resources to help staff recognise and challenge antisemitism.
Encourage schools and colleges to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism.
An implementation group has been established, and Sir David Bell will undertake a review of progress after one year.
Why this matters for safeguarding
The findings reinforce the importance of recognising identity-based abuse and discrimination as potential safeguarding concerns, rather than treating them solely as behaviour or disciplinary matters.
Antisemitism can have serious consequences for children's emotional wellbeing, sense of safety, participation in education and relationships with peers.
Education settings should consider whether their safeguarding arrangements adequately address discriminatory bullying, harassment and child-on-child abuse.
Staff must also be equipped to distinguish legitimate political discussion from antisemitic behaviour, while maintaining appropriate political impartiality.
What should organisations consider?
Schools and colleges should review how discriminatory incidents are identified, recorded, escalated and responded to, including whether safeguarding leads receive appropriate information and whether affected pupils are meaningfully supported.
Current status: The recommendations have been accepted by government. The proposed guidance amendments and training measures are commitments for implementation, not new statutory duties already in force.
Sources:
2. Domestic Abuse Survivors to Receive Stronger Housing Protections
Published: 20 October 2026 | England
The government has announced further proposed protections for survivors of domestic abuse through amendments to the Social Housing Bill.
The reforms aim to address situations in which survivors face the devastating choice between remaining in an abusive household or leaving their home, tenancy and support networks.
Under the proposed measures, social housing providers and courts would have stronger mechanisms to remove perpetrators while enabling survivors to remain safely in their homes where appropriate.
The latest announcement strengthens proposals introduced earlier in 2026.
Importantly, where a relevant protective order is already in place, the proposed amendment would allow the court to take that order into account without requiring survivors to establish the abuse again for this purpose.
The wider Bill also proposes protections relating to joint tenancies, including preventing perpetrators from using tenancy arrangements to make survivors homeless.
Why this matters for safeguarding
Housing insecurity can be a significant barrier to escaping domestic abuse.
Perpetrators may exploit financial dependence, joint tenancy arrangements and fears of homelessness as part of coercive and controlling behaviour.
The proposed reforms recognise the importance of housing stability in protecting survivors and their children. However, remaining in the family home will not be the safest or most appropriate option for every survivor.
Effective safeguarding requires individual risk assessment, survivor-led decision-making and coordinated responses between housing providers, domestic abuse services, police, children's services and adult safeguarding partners.
What should organisations consider?
Housing providers and safeguarding professionals should review whether their procedures:
Recognise housing-related coercive control and financial abuse.
Identify risks to children and adults affected by domestic abuse.
Support survivors to understand their housing options.
Enable appropriate information-sharing and multi-agency safety planning.
Avoid placing unnecessary responsibility on survivors to secure their own safety.
Current status: These are proposed legislative reforms, not provisions already in force. The broader housing protections were announced earlier in 2026; the October announcement adds further proposed safeguards.
Source: GOV.UK: Domestic abusers face eviction as survivors gain housing rights
3. UKHSA Safeguarding Annual Report Highlights Risks Across Public-Facing Services
Published: 21 October 2026 | England
The UK Health Security Agency has published its safeguarding annual report for 2025–26, providing insight into how safeguarding responsibilities operate within a national public health organisation.
The report records 148 safeguarding incidents during the reporting year, compared with 135 in the previous year.
Of these, 92 involved adults and 56 involved children.
Reported concerns included neglect and self-neglect, domestic abuse, mental health crises, physical and sexual abuse, modern slavery and insecure accommodation.
These figures relate specifically to UKHSA's safeguarding activity and should not be interpreted as evidence of wider national trends.
The report also describes developments in safeguarding governance, training, reflective supervision and specialist safeguarding advice.
Why this matters for safeguarding
The findings provide a useful reminder that safeguarding responsibilities extend well beyond traditional children's services and adult social care.
Public health organisations, employers and other public-facing services may encounter people experiencing abuse, exploitation, homelessness or significant vulnerabilities.
Organisations need clear procedures to recognise concerns, respond appropriately and work effectively with relevant safeguarding partners.
The report also reinforces the importance of safeguarding supervision and organisational leadership.
What should organisations consider?
Leaders should consider whether safeguarding is sufficiently embedded in workforce training, supervision, incident reporting, risk management and governance arrangements.
Particular attention should be given to staff confidence in recognising safeguarding concerns and accessing specialist advice.
Source: UKHSA Safeguarding Annual Report 2025–26
4. Consultation Proposes Stronger Restrictions on High-Risk Cosmetic Procedures
Published: 21 October 2026 | England
The Department of Health and Social Care has launched a consultation proposing tighter restrictions on certain high-risk cosmetic and wellbeing procedures.
The proposals seek to address risks associated with unsafe treatments, insufficiently qualified practitioners and inadequate regulatory safeguards.
They include restrictions on who may perform specified procedures and additional protections for children and young people.
Why this matters for safeguarding
The consultation raises important questions about informed consent, professional competence, exploitation and the protection of children and potentially vulnerable adults.
It also highlights the need to recognise the influence of appearance-related pressures, including those experienced through social media.
Organisations working with young people should remain alert to situations where coercion, exploitation or unrealistic expectations may affect decisions about cosmetic treatments.
Current status: Consultation proposals only. The proposed restrictions are not yet in force.
Consultation closes: 13 January 2027.
Source: DHSC: Restrictions on high-risk cosmetic and wellbeing procedures
5. Covid-19 Inquiry Exposes Serious Failings in Adult Social Care
Published: 20 October 2026 | UK-wide
The UK Covid-19 Inquiry has published its Module 6 report, examining the impact of the pandemic on adult social care across all four UK nations.
The inquiry identifies significant failings in pandemic preparedness, hospital discharge arrangements, workforce protection and the support provided to people receiving care.
It also examines the devastating consequences of prolonged visiting restrictions, including isolation, emotional distress and the impact on people's dignity and relationships.
Concerns surrounding end-of-life decision-making and DNACPR arrangements further reinforce the importance of individualised, rights-based care.
The report makes eight principal recommendations aimed at strengthening future pandemic preparedness and adult social care arrangements.
Why This Matters for Safeguarding
The findings raise fundamental questions about safeguarding leadership, risk management, professional accountability and human rights.
Organisations should consider whether their emergency plans adequately address safeguarding risks, whether restrictive decisions are proportionate and whether individuals and families are meaningfully involved in decisions affecting their care.
The report is an important reminder that safeguarding must protect people's wider wellbeing, dignity and autonomy, particularly during periods of crisis.
Read our full analysis: Adult Safeguarding After the Covid-19 Inquiry: What Have We Really Learned About Protecting People in Care?
Official source: UK Covid-19 Inquiry – Module 6 Care Sector Report
RLB Safeguarding: Turning Developments into Meaningful Practice
Although these developments concern different sectors, several common themes emerge.
Safeguarding requires organisations to recognise harm in its different forms, understand the circumstances that increase vulnerability and ensure that policies translate into effective practice.
Whether responding to identity-based abuse in schools, protecting survivors of domestic abuse, supporting people experiencing homelessness or managing risks in public-facing services, effective safeguarding depends on knowledgeable staff, clear leadership and proportionate responses.
Organisations should also distinguish between legislation already in force, proposed reforms and recommendations awaiting implementation.
Keeping safeguarding arrangements up to date is important. Ensuring they work effectively in practice is essential.
At RLB, we support organisations across sectors through independent safeguarding audits, consultancy, training and reflective safeguarding supervision.
Our work helps organisations strengthen governance, respond to emerging risks and translate legislative and practice developments into meaningful safeguarding arrangements.
For support reviewing your organisation's safeguarding responsibilities, contact RLB Safeguarding.