The Role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead

It is a legal requirement to appoint a practitioner to be the safeguarding lead at a setting that cares for, teaches, or comes into regular contact with children. This role is often referred to as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or Officer. This course explores common responsibilities of the DSL and good practice when responding to safeguarding concerns and disclosures, creating a culture of safeguarding, and working in partnership with external agencies.

This course is suitable for practitioners considering taking on the responsibility of being the safeguarding lead at their setting, safeguarding leads who are in role but need a refresher, and managers who need to understand what the role involves before making an appointment.

Learning outcomes

You will understand the important role a safeguarding lead plays at a setting
You will know how to respond to safeguarding concerns, disclosures (including allegations made against staff), and immediate risks to life
You will be able to build a safeguarding culture at the setting that puts the welfare of the children first
You will understand the referral process and the importance of partnership working with local authority's children's services, and local safeguarding partners

Advantages of this course

A Designated Safeguarding Lead will be working with internal and external professionals, and may need to share information to keep children safe from harm. This course explains the need for consent from parents / carers when sharing information, and the situations in which seeking consent is not advisable.
It is often the DSL that needs to make a decision on referrals to children's social services, and this can be challenging. The e-Book in this course explores the 'levels of need' that can help a DSL make a decision, and outlines a common referral process in England. Although, it should be noted that the threshold for referral and process may be slightly different in different areas.
A Think and Challenge section asks learners to apply their knowledge to a practical situation
There is also suggested extra reading that gives both practical information and links to websites to expand knowledge