Settings must now tell Ofsted about allegations of harm
Ofsted has updated its serious incident guidance to reflect framework changes that require providers to report allegations of harm, not only serious harm, as soon as reasonably practicable and always within 14 days.
At a glance
maximum time to tell Ofsted about allegations of harm
- Providers in England must now tell Ofsted about allegations of harm, rather than serious harm, Ofsted has said.
- Ofsted must be told as soon as is reasonably practicable, and in any event within 14 days.
- The frameworks say a provider who fails to notify without a reasonable excuse commits an offence.
Ofsted has updated its guidance on reporting serious childcare incidents, following changes to the early years foundation stage (EYFS) that came into force today.
Providers must now tell Ofsted about allegations of harm, rather than serious harm, by anyone living, working or looking after children on the premises, Ofsted said. The EYFS frameworks for England set out the same duty.
What counts as harm
The frameworks use the meaning of harm in the Children Act 1989. It covers ill-treatment, including sexual abuse and ill-treatment that is not physical.
It also covers impairment of a child's health or development, including harm from seeing or hearing someone else being ill-treated.
Allegations must be reported whether the harm is said to have happened on the premises or elsewhere, such as on a visit. Providers must also tell Ofsted what action they have taken.
Some providers registered with a childminder agency report to their agency instead, according to the frameworks.
How to report
The frameworks say Ofsted must be told as soon as is reasonably practicable, but in any event within 14 days of the allegations being made.
Ofsted expects significant events to be reported as soon as possible, but always within 14 days. The online form takes about 10 to 20 minutes to complete.
You will need your reference number, the childcare address and details of the incident and those involved.
The frameworks say a provider who fails to notify without a reasonable excuse commits an offence.
After a report, Ofsted may review the information it holds, contact the provider, or carry out an inspection or visit.
Other events to report
Ofsted's guidance also lists other events providers must report. These include a child's serious accident, injury or illness, and food poisoning affecting at least 2 children.
Minor injuries, such as sprains, cuts, grazes and insect bites, do not need to be reported.
For your setting
What this means for your setting
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Does this apply in Scotland? This change applies in England only.
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Sources
- Report a serious childcare incidentOfsted · 1 September 2026
- EYFS statutory framework for group and school-based providersDepartment for Education · 13 July 2026
- EYFS statutory framework for childmindersDepartment for Education · 13 July 2026
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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Licence.
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