Atlas Staffing UK LTD: Understanding the September 2025 Safeguarding Changes for Early Years in the UK

At Atlas Staffing UK LTD, we are dedicated to supporting the Early Years sector by keeping our clients and staff informed about critical safeguarding developments. The upcoming changes to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework, effective from 1 September 2025, alongside the Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 guidance, mark a significant shift in child protection practices. Here, we outline these changes, their implications, and practical steps for early years settings to ensure compliance and prioritise child safety.

Key Updates to the EYFS Framework (Effective September 2025)

The EYFS Framework updates, set to take effect on 1 September 2025, introduce refined safeguarding requirements to strengthen child protection in early years settings. These changes reflect a broader commitment to addressing modern risks and ensuring safe environments for young children. The key updates include:

• Enhanced Focus on Online Safety: With young children increasingly exposed to digital environments, the updated framework introduces guidance on protecting children from online harms. Settings are now required to develop policies that address safe internet use and educate staff on identifying digital risks, such as inappropriate content or online grooming.

• Clearer Safeguarding Procedures: The framework mandates more explicit safeguarding policies, particularly around recognising “soft signs” of abuse, such as excessive clinginess or over-friendliness, as outlined by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). These policies must align with local safeguarding partnership arrangements.

• Strengthened Staff Suitability Checks: There is a renewed emphasis on ensuring all staff and volunteers are appropriately vetted. This includes updated requirements for Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for those in regulated activities, ensuring all personnel meet the latest regulatory standards.

These updates aim to create a proactive safeguarding culture, equipping early years providers to address both traditional and emerging risks effectively.

Aligning with Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023

The Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) guidance complements the EYFS changes by emphasising multi-agency collaboration and a child-centred, whole-family approach. It encourages early years settings to play a proactive role in early help assessments, identifying risks such as child sexual exploitation, domestic abuse, or family stressors before they escalate. The guidance also stresses the importance of robust information-sharing protocols with local safeguarding partners, such as health visitors and social workers, to ensure timely support for children and families.

Emerging Safeguarding Challenges

The ADCS Safeguarding Pressures report (2023–24) highlights additional pressures shaping safeguarding practices. Notably, parental mental health has become the most common factor in children’s social care assessments, surpassing domestic abuse. The cost-of-living crisis has also intensified risks, with poverty identified as a significant concern. Early years settings are now expected to recognise signs of financial or housing instability, as these can impact children’s well-being. Additionally, the report notes a rise in mental health needs among young children, linked to the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring settings to integrate mental health awareness into their safeguarding practices.

Practical Steps for Early Years Settings

To align with the September 2025 EYFS updates and Working Together guidance, early years providers can take the following steps:

1. Update Staff Training: Ensure all staff are trained on the 2023 Working Together guidance and the updated EYFS requirements. Training should cover recognising signs of abuse, online safety, and multi-agency collaboration.

2. Revise Safeguarding Policies: Review and update policies to reflect the new emphasis on online safety, “soft signs” of abuse, and compliance with local safeguarding arrangements.

3. Strengthen Partnerships: Build relationships with local safeguarding partners to facilitate early help assessments and effective information sharing.

4. Support Child Voice: Create opportunities for children to express concerns in age-appropriate ways, aligning with the child-centred approach outlined in Working Together.

Moving Forward

The September 2025 EYFS updates and Working Together guidance represent a significant step toward stronger child protection in the Early Years sector. By understanding and implementing these changes, settings can create safer, more supportive environments where children can thrive. At Atlas Staffing UK LTD, we are committed to keeping our staff and clients informed and prepared to meet these new standards.

How is your setting preparing for the September 2025 changes? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Sources: Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023, Department for Education; ADCS Safeguarding Pressures Report 2023–24; EYFS Framework Consultation Response, DfE.