Legislation and guidance
The Panel was established under the Children and Social Work Act 2017. Further details of our role and processes are set out in the Child Safeguarding Practice Review and Relevant Agency (England) Regulations 2018.
Working Together to Safeguard Children
Working Together to Safeguard Children is the central piece of statutory guidance for everyone working with children. It sets out how all organisations and agencies should work together to help, support and protect children through effective multi‑agency safeguarding arrangements. It must be followed unless there is a clear, lawful reason not to.
Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel guidance
Our guidance for local safeguarding partners provides more detailed information about our role.
Our guidance explains:
- how chapter 5 of Working Together 2023 should be applied
- the processes for notifications, rapid reviews and local child safeguarding practice reviews
- principles underpinning effective reviews
- how the Panel approaches national reviews
Keeping Children Safe in Education
Keeping Children Safe in Education sets out the statutory safeguarding responsibilities for schools and colleges. The 2025 update includes strengthened requirements on attendance, online safety, managing concerns, and understanding risks such as exploitation and harmful online content.
Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework is a set of statutory standards that school and childcare providers must meet for the learning, development and care of children from birth to age 5. It sets the standards that all early years providers must meet to ensure children learn and develop well, and are kept healthy and safe.
The Serious Incident Notification Guide
The Department for Education has published additional guidance about how local authorities can submit a serious child safeguarding incident notification.
Visit GOV.UK for information about how to report the death or serious harm of a child or care leaver.