From September 2026, schools across England will need to comply with an updated version of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) that brings clearer, firmer expectations around toilet provision for pupils aged eight and over.
While this change is often discussed through a policy or cultural lens, for schools it is, at heart, a safeguarding and infrastructure issue. And for estates teams, trust leaders, and governors, it presents both practical challenges and an opportunity to future‑proof facilities.
At Dunhams, we work closely with schools navigating regulatory change. Here’s what the KCSIE update means in practice and how schools can prepare confidently and compliantly.
What is Changing in September 2026?
The Department for Education has confirmed that new statutory guidance will be embedded within KCSIE 2026, making expectations around single‑sex spaces part of schools’ core safeguarding duties.
Under the updated guidance:
- Pupils aged 8 and over must use toilets designated for their biological sex
- Schools must maintain single‑sex toilet provision
- Where a pupil does not wish to use sex‑based facilities, schools should offer suitable alternative arrangements, such as self‑contained or individual toilets
- Decisions must be taken through a safeguarding lens, prioritising privacy, dignity, and child protection
Importantly, this is statutory safeguarding guidance, not optional advice. Schools inspected by Ofsted will be expected to demonstrate compliance from September 2026.
Why Toilets Are Now a Safeguarding Issue
Toilets have always been part of the safeguarding conversation, even if they weren’t always treated that way.
The updated KCSIE guidance reflects growing recognition that:
- Poorly designed or supervised washrooms increase safeguarding risk
- Mixed or unclear provision can raise concerns around privacy and vulnerability
- Inadequate facilities place staff in difficult positions without clear policy backing
By setting a clear expectation around single‑sex spaces, KCSIE aims to remove ambiguity and help schools create consistent, defensible safeguarding arrangements.
The Real Impact on School Buildings
For many schools, this is not about ripping out existing facilities, but it does require a clear-eyed review of current provision.
Key questions schools should be asking now include:
1. Do our toilets clearly align with KCSIE requirements?
- Are male and female toilets clearly designated?
- Are signs, layouts, and access routes unambiguous?
2. Do we have suitable alternative facilities?
- Is there at least one, self‑contained, gender‑neutral or accessible toilet available?
- Is its location discreet, safe, and appropriate for regular use?
3. Are facilities robust enough for increased scrutiny?
- Do cubicles offer full height, full privacy?
- Are doors, partitions, and locks durable and secure?
- Is supervision possible without compromising dignity?
This is where infrastructure and safeguarding policy directly intersect.
Why Washroom Systems Matter More Than Ever
As safeguards tighten, washroom systems become critical.
Modern, purpose‑designed washroom systems allow schools to:
- Clearly define single‑sex areas
- Deliver full‑height or high‑privacy cubicle solutions
- Improve durability and reduce maintenance
- Support effective supervision without compromising dignity
- Future‑proof facilities against changing guidance and inspection criteria
At Dunhams, we design and manufacture washroom systems specifically for education environments, balancing safeguarding, longevity, aesthetics, and whole‑life value. This system‑based approach allows schools to upgrade facilities in a planned, controlled way—often as part of wider refurbishment or condition improvement programmes.
Planning early reduces risk
Although September 2026 may feel distant, estates planning cycles are not.
Schools that act early can:
- Avoid last‑minute refurbishments
- Spread investment over planned maintenance budgets
- Engage governors and parents with clear, lawful explanations
- Enter Ofsted inspections with confidence
Crucially, early action allows schools to frame these changes not as a controversy—but as what they truly are: a safeguarding improvement.
How Dunhams Washrooms Can Help
We support schools and multi‑academy trusts by:
- Reviewing existing washroom layouts against KCSIE expectations
- Advising on compliant refurbishment or replacement options
- Designing single‑sex and alternative facilities that prioritise safety, dignity, and durability
- Supporting estates teams with specifications suitable for tenders and capital planning
If you’re beginning to review your washroom provision in light of KCSIE 2026, now is the right time to start the conversation. Get in touch with our team.
