Keeping Children Safe In Education (KCSIE)
The Department for Education (DfE) has published Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2026, the statutory safeguarding guidance that schools and colleges in England will follow from 1st September 2026.
This article explains what this publication may mean for children and young people affected by PANS and PANDAS.
Earlier this year, PANS PANDAS UK submitted a response to the consultation on the proposed changes, drawing on the experiences shared by children and young people, parents and carers from across our community.
What do PANS and PANDAS families need to know?
One of the updates that may be of particular interest to families is the inclusion of new guidance relating to children and young people with medical conditions. The guidance clarifies that the presence of a medical condition does not, by itself, indicate a safeguarding concern. It also highlights the importance of considering a child or young person’s wider circumstances and health needs when concerns arise.
This may be particularly relevant to some children and young people affected by PANS and PANDAS, whose presentation can change significantly as a result of illness. Changes in behaviour, emotional wellbeing, school attendance or participation in education should be considered within the wider context of the child or young person’s health needs and circumstances.
The updated guidance also continues to emphasise professional judgement, information sharing and effective working between education, health and other services. For children and young people with complex or fluctuating needs, this joined-up approach can help professionals build a fuller understanding of what is happening and how best to provide support.
As always, safeguarding concerns must be taken seriously. Children and young people with medical conditions can be more vulnerable and safeguarding professionals play an essential role in keeping them safe. At the same time, many families have told us about the importance of ensuring that health needs are fully understood and considered when decisions are being made about a child or young person.
“Every child or young person deserves to be seen as a whole person rather than through a single lens. For families affected by PANS and PANDAS, changes in behaviour, attendance, participation or wellbeing can sometimes be linked to underlying health needs. The emphasis on considering a child’s wider circumstances alongside any concerns is therefore a welcome aspect of the updated guidance. . ”
–Tina Coope, Our Education Lead
Families who would like further information about safeguarding processes, medical needs and related concerns may also find our safeguarding and FII resources helpful.
