Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2017), replaces previous editions and should be the only one in use.
It is intended for use by the general public, mandated persons and other professionals whose work brings them in contact with children and also by staff and volunteers of organisations providing services to children.
An Addendum to the Children First National Guidance - Online Safety (PDF, 487 KB, 3 pages) in January 2019 amended the guidance to ensure that online safety is specifically accounted for in child safeguarding statements.
Another Addendum to the Children First National Guidance - Dealing with Adult Retrospective Disclosures of Childhood Abuse (PDF, 529 KB, 6 pages) was issued in April 2025. This addendum amended the guidance to provide updated information about dealing with adult retrospective disclosures of childhood abuse.
These addendums should be read alongside the Children First National Guidance (2017).
