New to Role Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Training

Learning outcomes

• To enable delegates to understand the role and main responsibilities of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
• Provide participants with relevant knowledge of national legislation and guidance regarding safeguarding children in schools/colleges, and the key responsibilities and requirements that determines their settings policies and approaches.
• Explore expectations for DSLs regarding recording child safeguarding concerns and expectations for appropriate information sharing.
• Raise awareness of a range of child protection and safeguarding issues within schools/colleges, including how to advise staff of their responsibilities.
• Respond effectively to concerns about children, including the Kent's specific safeguarding procedures, including the consultation and Integrated Front Door process.
• Know what is likely to happen following a referral/request for support, understand what role the school/college has to play, and the role of the DSL within multi-agency working.
• Explore how to create a 'safer culture' within schools/colleges, including identifying the barriers for reporting abuse and how to overcome them.

This course is delivered by experienced trainers from the LADO Education Safeguarding Advisory Service (LESAS) who have a sound knowledge of social work and schools/colleges, and uses a variety of interactive scenarios and discussions to help delegates put learning into practice. 

This course is the first level training for staff in schools or colleges in Kent who are new to the role of the DSL, DSLs who have previously attended training outside of Kent or for DSLs whose training has expired. Delegates should access basic staff child protection training prior to this training and be familiar with Keeping Children Safe in Education and the KSCMP Support Level Guidance. 

Existing DSLs who need to refresh their knowledge and skills should access our DSL refresher training; eLearning or face to face options are available. Staff working in schools/colleges outside of Kent can access this course, however, will need to undertake independent research to understand the relevant guidance and processes specific to their setting/location.This session will run as an interactive virtual session on Microsoft Teams over two mornings (09:30-13:00). These sessions are not recorded, and delegates will need to attend both sessions in full.  Delegates will need access to Microsoft teams and a working camera/microphone.  Full attendance and participation is required to receive a certificate of attendance; non-participation, missing content, or late arrival/leaving early may mean certificates are withheld.

What delegates say about our training:

In 2024-25, over 95% of delegates were extremely/very satisfied with the LADO Education Safeguarding Advisory Service training quality and delivery, and 98% felt the training met its learning outcomes.

“I found the training to be a good balance of information and opportunities to discuss and share with other professionals”

“The training was well structured and paced - there was a lot of information, but it did not feel overwhelming”

“Very clear presentation, detailed knowledge of guidance and legislation, real-life experiences to support training.”