This CPD certificated course is aimed at new Designated Safeguarding Leads in either early year settings or schools/colleges in Kent or Medway.

For 2021-22 we are offering DSL training via a face to face course (available from November 2021) or a virtual Zoom training, which can be booked via the CPD website.

• Schools dates
• Early Years dates

This training will enable delegates to:

• understand the role and main responsibilities of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
• understand the key safeguarding responsibilities and requirements 
• explore relevant national legislation and guidance pertaining to safeguarding children
• recognise indicators of abuse and neglect (including current safeguarding priorities) with the children they work with and know what action they need to take
• identify and create a 'safe culture' within their setting, including identifying the barriers for reporting abuse and how to overcome them
• understand local safeguarding children procedures, including the consultation and Integrated Front Door process
• be prepared for multi-agency working
• explore expectations regarding recording and sharing information

Our courses use a variety of scenarios and discussions to help delegates put learning into practice and is delivered by experienced trainers who have a sound knowledge of social work and education practice.

This training provides refresher training for experienced Designated Safeguarding Leads in Schools/Colleges and Early Years Settings - this training should only be attended by delegates who have already completed DSL training in the last two years.

For 2021-22 we are offering refresher training via two approaches:

E-learning Courses

• Designated Safeguarding Lead Refresher
• Early Years Designated Safeguarding Lead Refresher
• Designated Safeguarding Lead Refresher for Medway

Because E-learning does not allow for delegate interaction, this training is valid for one year rather than two, however the price is reduced to reflect this additional requirement.  Our refresher E-learning courses can be accessed at any time.

DSLs outside of Kent/Medway can access these courses, however, will need to undertake independent research to ensure they understand their own local guidance and processes.

Face to Face Training

For DSLs who prefer to access face to face refresher training or a course which is valid for 2 years, a one day training course is available from November 2021.

• Schools dates
• Early Years dates

This course will enable existing DSLs and deputy DSLs to:

• revisit and update their knowledge of national legislation and guidance pertaining to safeguarding children
• explore safeguarding children procedures in Kent or Medway
• reflect, analyse and improve the safeguarding practice within their setting
• work with colleagues from different settings  to share experiences and develop effective safeguarding practice
• revisit the importance of establishing a 'safe culture', including identifying the barriers for reporting abuse and how to overcome them
• explore current and contemporary child protection concerns and priorities through the use of case studies

Our face to face DSL refresher training uses a variety of scenarios and discussions to help delegates put learning into practice and is delivered by experienced trainers who have a sound knowledge of social work and education practice.

This training course for existing Designated Safeguarding Leads in schools/college will enable delegates to:

• explore key statutory requirements and best practice in relation to online safety, identified in ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, the Ofsted Inspection Framework and other relevant local and national guidance.
• develop an understanding of current online safety concerns including cyberbullying, grooming for radicalisation and exploitation and nude/semi-nude image sharing.
• respond to and manage specific concerns by exploring child protection levels and referrals within the context of online safeguarding.
• explore factors which could increase vulnerability online, including children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
• understand the importance of professional behaviour online and its potential implications for staff.
• explore a range of online safety engagement and education approaches for a variety of audiences.

For 2021-22 we are offering our 'Online Safety for DSLs' training via face to face or virtual sessions, which can be booked via the CPD website.

This 2 hour Zoom training session focuses on the specific strategic safeguarding responsibilities for school governors as outlined in national guidance. This training can be booked centrally via governor hub.

Bespoke training for governors can be commissioned directly via the Education Safeguarding Service.

Note: Due to Covid-19 this course is currently postponed.

We currently offer the following eLearning courses for schools and settings

DSL Refresher E-learning

• Designated Safeguarding Lead Refresher
• Early Years Designated Safeguarding Lead Refresher
• Designated Safeguarding Lead Refresher for Medway

School Staff

• Safeguarding Basic Awareness for Induction (NB: whole school access to this course is included as part of membership to our Safeguarding Support Package)

Early Years

• Basic Online Safeguarding for Early Years Practitioners
• Strategic Online Safeguarding for Early Years Designated Safeguarding Leads and Managers

This course provides essential child protection training for staff working with children in early years settings in line with requirements outlined in national and local guidance. The course will help give staff the knowledge and skills to recognise and respond to possible abuse and identify their own responsibilities for keeping children safe.

This course will enable early years staff to:

• understand what safeguarding and child protection is and key roles and responsibilities are
• identify the relevant legislation and guidance for safeguarding in early years
• recognise the different types, signs and indicators of abuse and neglect and know how to respond to concerns
• understand the procedures for reporting concerns and who to report to
• recognise the importance and the principles of good recording
• consider safe practice expectations within early years settings to help keep staff and children safe

For 2021-22 this course is available virtually via Zoom and can be booked via the CPD website.

Currently our training offer to Childminders is provided virtually.

• Safeguarding Basic Awareness for Childminders
  • This course is also included as part of the Childminder Pre-Registration Course.

For 2021-21, a pilot live evening virtual training session for childminders will take place on the 28th September.

The Education Safeguarding Service recognise the benefit of interaction and networking for DSLs to develop knowledge and reflect on emerging issues as part of their practice. To support and enable this important professional development, we will be launching a programme of six one-hour webinar briefing twilight sessions (16:00 – 17:00) for DSLs in schools throughout 2021-22.

Members of the 'Safeguarding Support Package for Schools' will receive one free place per school on each webinar. DSLs from schools who are not members of the Safeguarding Support Package are able to attend the webinars on an ad-hoc basis and attendance is charged at a rate of £30 per DSL, per webinar.

To find out more or to book your place, access our recent blog post or visit the links below.

• Two-hour basic awareness training suitable for all members of staff
• Provides an overview of staff’s responsibilities and the current priorities, developing their ability to recognise and respond to a range of safeguarding concerns and contribute to a safe culture.

• Two-hour basic awareness training suitable for all members of staff
• Aims to raise awareness of the risks posed by the internet and technology, implications for staff use and conduct, and signposting to support, guidance and educational resources.

• Two-hour basic awareness training suitable for all members of staff working in SEND schools/provision
• Provides an overview of staff’s responsibilities and the current priorities, developing their ability to recognise and respond to vulnerability as well as a range of safeguarding concerns, and the importance of a safe culture.

• Two-hour basic awareness training suitable for all members of staff working in schools/provision supporting vulnerable adults
• Provides an overview of staff’s responsibilities and the current priorities, developing their ability to recognise and respond to vulnerability as well as a range of safeguarding concerns, and the importance of a safe culture.

• Whole day face-to-face training for select group of yr.5/6 pupils (maximum of 35) to enable them to act as 'online safety ambassadors' within their school and to support DSLs in providing education and engagement with their community.
• The training is only available to schools working in collaboration with others (3-6 schools required).
• Pupils must be supported by the DSL (or a deputy) on the day
• As part of the training, seach school will receive an safeguarding lead and pupil activity pack.

This training is currently offered subject to Covid-19 restrictions. Schools will need to undertake appropriate individual risk assessments beforehand and resources may be provided electronically.

The Education Safeguarding Service offer two standard types of review of schools’ safeguarding practice.  School safeguarding reviews are undertaken by an Area Safeguarding Advisor or one of the Online Safety Advisors, and are not simply about whether schools are meeting their statutory requirements but provide a focus on whether children in the school are safeguarded in the best way possible.

Desktop Safeguarding Review

School staff complete a self-review tool devised by the Education Safeguarding Service prior to a meeting held with key school leaders. The meeting attendees should include the Designated Safeguarding Lead and Safeguarding Governor, but others may attend, for example additional DSLs, pastoral staff and the Headteacher/Principal.

During the meeting, the information provided by the school will be discussed and questions will be asked to clarify points on policies and procedures and to explore how leaders and governors are confident all staff and volunteers know what is expected of them and are ensuring there is a safe culture within the school.  Areas covered will include the reporting and recording of concerns and follow up action taken, whistleblowing, monitoring of the Single Central Record, efficacy and availability of policies and training. A standalone online safety desktop review can also be commissioned.

There will be no separate report, but recommendations, including useful links and tools will be noted on the review tool.  The review will take a total of one day.

Onsite Safeguarding Review

The process for this review is initially the same as the desktop review, with the addition of a Safeguarding Advisor visiting the school.  During the visit, the advisor will speak with pupils and staff and check documentation to confirm the information shared by the senior leaders during the meeting to discuss the self-review tool.  The visit will also provide an opportunity to observe whether the school is demonstrating a safe culture. A standalone onsite online safety review can also be commissioned.

Observations made by the advisor during their visit will be recorded alongside any  recommendations on the self-review tool.  In addition to the benefits outlined of the desktop review, the onsite review will provide further confirmation and reassurance that expected processes are in place.

Whilst school leaders and governors retain ultimate responsibility for the policies, procedures and processes in their school, the Education Safeguarding Service will be accountable for any advice and recommendations made through the process of the review.  This includes highlighting practice which is believed to place children at risk of harm and advising the appropriate agencies where necessary.

A further monitoring visit can be completed from six months after the initial review to assess progress on any recommendations or observations made.

Please contact the service directly to discuss booking a school safeguarding review.

The Education Safeguarding Service offer a review of early years settings safeguarding practice which will not just explore if settings are meeting their statutory requirements but will provide a focus on whether children in the setting are safeguarded in the best way possible. Early Years Safeguarding Reviews will be undertaken by an Area Safeguarding Assistant, who has extensive education safeguarding experience.

Safeguarding can often be considered to be a challenging and at times overwhelming task and our early years safeguarding review process aims to help demystify safeguarding requirements and allow settings to have the time and space to reflect on their own practice.

Early Years Safeguarding Review Process

Settings will be expected to complete a self-review tool which will act as a working document and action plan for the setting. The setting will be required to complete the tool and share a copy with the service prior to a half day meeting, ideally held on site with key staff. During the meeting, the information provided by the setting will be discussed and explored and observations and recommendations, including useful links and tools will be noted on the review tool for the setting to use as a reference.  Some of the key areas covered will include the reporting and recording of concerns and follow up action taken, whistleblowing, supervision, availability of safeguarding policies and staff training.

A safeguarding review will give EYDSLs and leaders the opportunity to reflect on, understand and explain the processes within their setting, and will increase their capacity to monitor practice. This process will help leaders be effective in sharing this knowledge with staff, as well as external visitors, for example during Ofsted inspections.

Please contact the service directly to discuss booking an early years safeguarding review.

Includes half-termly monitoring visits and written report of strengths of care provision and areas for development.

The Education Safeguarding Service provide training resources for DSLs to use to provide staff training themselves whilst following national guidance.

• Whole School DSL Safeguarding Training Pack 2021-22
• Whole School DSL Online Safety Training Pack 2021-22
• Staff Safeguarding Training Pack for DSLs in Early Years Settings 2021-22

• This will be bespoke to the needs of the school or setting, however is likely to include a visit from Area Safeguarding Advisor, an investigation and where appropriate, a formal report and/or action plan.

The Education Safeguarding Service has developed a Social Media Toolkit to help educational setting leaders make informed and appropriate choices about using social media tools officially. The toolkit includes guidance for leaders, suggestions regarding commonly used social media channels and editable tools and templates.