Navigating the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Role
I have no doubt that staff taking on the role of Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) do so motivated by the desire to keep children safe. It’s a crucial role, now post-pandemic more than ever.
However, the highest levels of contacts we receive to our Safeguarding Specialist Support Service are from DSLs struggling to cope, usually a few months into undertaking the role.
This is a demanding role which, if staff are not prepared well for it, can feel overwhelming. Those contacting our service report that the sheer level of responsibility and expected knowledge base comes as a shock, discouraging many from continuing in the role.
However, with effective preparation and training, it can be a rewarding, manageable and fulfilling role. So, as an experienced practitioner, I'd like to share the following tips which I hope will support those thinking of taking on the role and for those currently in practice.
- Understand the legal requirements to make sure you're fully conversant with the legislation. The DFE statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) should be your go-to document. Remember that, whilst Annex C of the guidance explicitly lays out the expectations of the role, the whole document should be read thoroughly.
- Be aware of your Local Safeguarding Partnership (LSP) requirements. These are local safeguarding arrangements bespoke to the area you are working in. Remember that if a child resides in a bordering locality you may be bound by that LSP and children's social care arrangements too. LSP and social care referral arrangements may differ in each locality.
- Carefully and honestly audit your setting's provision. Undertaking an annual audit will enable you to review arrangements and identify any new areas for development. A comprehensive safeguarding audit tool should not only identify tasks but also provide you with a system to monitor completion. Under the newly revised requirements of Working together to keep children safe, the statutory guidance on multi-agency practice, your setting may be required to submit these details to the LSP.
- Choose a good training provider that not only provides you with the knowledge and skills to perform the role but keeps you regularly updated throughout the year. Although statutory requirements state that training should be updated every 2 years, make sure you update your knowledge and skills at more frequent intervals to ensure you are aware of and understand emerging themes e.g. ‘patterning’- organised victimisation filmed by groups and shared online.
- Foster a collective responsibility in order to safeguard children, colleagues and your organisation. Give staff the confidence to promote the 'telling' culture of 'SEE IT THINK IT SHARE IT'. You are the lead, build and equip the team around you. Think of yourself as the coordinator, not the sole provider.
- Whilst child protection arguably forms the majority of the work of the DSL role, it is important to remember there is a wider safeguarding remit. You should also have a good working knowledge of:
- Child-on-child abuse, bullying, cyberbullying, internet and social media misuse;
- Child Protection Plans, Child in Need Plans and Early Help Assessments;
- Thematic topics e.g. CSE, CCE, FGM, HBA, Forced Marriage, radicalisation/extremism and domestic abuse;
- How the DSL role relates to the statutory guidance PACE Code C which details the role a person undertakes when acting as the 'appropriate adult' whilst a student is being questioned or detained by the police;
- Health and Safety - on and off-site;
- Risk Assessment - site, activities, off-site visits, known behavioural difficulties;
- Safer recruitment, vetting and barring;
- HR policy and procedures e.g. Code of Conduct, Whistleblowing Policy;
- Critical Incident planning, where you develop policies and protocols for situations that hopefully will never happen, but should that be the case, there will be safeguarding directives that staff and the organisation can implement. It is essential for you to take an active role in this to ensure plans consider measures for those known to be at risk and who may need additional support or protection.
- Access comprehensive online safety training. This should provide you with knowledge on cyberbullying; victim behaviour; e-safety legislation; radicalisation; the Dark Web; online Child Sexual Exploitation/ Child Criminal Exploitation/ Child Financial Exploitation; sexting; online Profile Management and cybercrime. It should help you to formulate Internet Use Policies and clarify the responsibilities of your setting.
So, my overall key message is to access good quality DSL training to equip you with the knowledge and skills to face the day-to-day challenges of this demanding role. This will ensure you have the confidence not only to build a secure and effective service but importantly a manageable one.
SSS Learning Safeguarding Director
