HERO%20DSL%20N2R.png

DSL: Statutory New to Role (2 days)

Trainer-led sessions for new DSLs, deputies, SENCOs, or safeguarding team members. Includes guidance, responsibilities, and best practices.

09:15 AM - 04:30 PM

Online

Session information

Sessions

Session 1 9th September 2025
09:15 BST - 16:30 BST
1 day
    Session 2 11th September 2025
    09:15 BST - 16:30 BST
    1 day
      • £295.00 excl. VAT

      09:15 AM - 04:30 PM

      Bradford

      Session information

      Sessions

      Session 1 - 19th November 2025
      09:15 - 16:30
      1 day
        Session 2 - 20th November 2025
        09:15 - 16:30
        1 day
          • £295.00 excl. VAT
          Register6 places remaining

          09:15 AM - 04:30 PM

          Online

          Session information

          Sessions

          Session 1 - 20th January 2026
          09:15 GMT - 16:30 GMT
          1 day
            Session 2 - 21st January 2026
            09:15 GMT - 16:30 GMT
            1 day
              • £295.00 excl. VAT

              09:15 AM - 04:30 PM

              Bingley

              Session information

              Sessions

              Session 1 - 10th March 2026
              09:15 - 16:30
              1 day
                Session 2 - 11th March 2026
                09:15 - 16:30
                1 day
                  • £295.00 excl. VAT

                    09:15 AM - 04:30 PM

                    Online

                    Session information

                    Sessions

                    Session 1 - 8th July 2026
                    09:15 BST - 16:30 BST
                    1 day
                      Session 2 - 9th July 2026
                      09:15 BST - 16:30 BST
                      1 day
                        • £295.00 excl. VAT

                        Description

                        Delivery options available:  

                        Advanced training: fully compliant with the criteria as laid out in Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE) and as described in the previous level 3 DSL training level system. 

                        This in-depth course is designed for DSLs, Deputy DSLs, and those stepping into safeguarding leadership roles.  

                        As a DSL or deputy, you are expected to take lead responsibility for safeguarding within your school, acting as the key point of contact for staff, pupils, families, and external agencies. KCSiE highlights that you are likely to have the most complete picture of a child’s safety and are best placed to guide the appropriate response to concerns. This training ensures you have the knowledge, confidence, and tools to carry out this responsibility effectively. 

                        Developed by our NSPCC Approved Trainer and delivered by Award in Education and Training (AET) qualified trainers, the session explores the statutory duties associated with the DSL role, including relevant legislation such as Working Together to Safeguard Children, the Early Years Statutory Framework (EYFS), and the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act. It also provides practical guidance on safeguarding policies, multi-agency working, information sharing, record keeping, and supporting a culture of safeguarding across your setting. 

                        The training is interactive and workshop-based, with embedded training videos designed to develop critical thinking, build confidence, and support the practical application of safeguarding procedures in real-world contexts. 

                        It fulfils the requirement for DSLs and deputies to complete initial and refresher training every two years, as set out in KCSiE. 

                         
                        Content:
                        • Understand the role and responsibilities of the DSL, deputies, and wider safeguarding team 

                        • Explore key safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance including KCSiE, Working Together to Safeguard Children, Prevent duty and relevant local procedures 

                        • Learn the importance of building effective working relationships with local safeguarding partners and agencies 

                        • Understand why a contextual safeguarding approach is essential and how to apply it in your setting 

                        • Explore the signs and indicators of different types of abuse, with a focus on Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) and other emerging risks 

                        • Learn how to respond to allegations, disclosures, and low-level concerns about adults in school 

                        • Reflect on real-life case studies and lessons learned from serious case reviews and audits 

                        • Introduction to reflective practice and tools for confident safeguarding leadership 

                        • Understand the importance of high-quality record keeping and information sharing 

                        • Consider the unique vulnerabilities of different groups of children (SEND, looked-after children, EAL, young carers, etc.) 

                        • Explore how to develop and embed a whole-school safeguarding culture 

                        • Build confidence in supporting staff, pupils, and families with early help and intervention 

                        • Responsibilities for ensuring the effectiveness of the schools filtering and monitoring systems 

                        • Recognise the importance of staff supervision, self-care, and maintaining professional boundaries 

                        Following the training delegates will be required to complete an Online Training Assessment to demonstrate their understanding of their role and responsibilities. 

                        Those successfully achieving an 80% pass rate will receive: 

                        • Certificate of Participation 

                        • Information Booklet signposting to the latest guidance, additional training 

                        • PDF overview of the standard course slides 

                        Safeguarding Simplified

                        Prerequisites

                        All participants will benefit from reading the latest version of the following guidance prior to the training.

                        Experienced DSLs and DDSLs who have already attended a 2-day Designated Safeguarding Lead training should attend our 1-day DSL: 2 Yearly Update session.

                         

                        Who should attend this course?

                        This course is aimed at: 

                        • NEW DSLs and deputy DSLs 

                        • NEW members of the Safeguarding Team 

                        • NEW Senior Leadership Team members, with responsibility for Safeguarding 

                        • NEW Nominated Safeguarding Governors 

                        • Other experienced safeguarding practitioners wanting to refresh their understanding of the importance of the role and responsibilities of the DSL role in education. 

                        Powered by Arlo training & Event Software

                        Rachel Priestley

                        Rach has a background in Business Development and Administration, gaining much of her knowledge and experience through her 19 year career with the NHS working within the executive office, community services and public health. 

                        Before moving on from the NHS, Rach supported the Chief Executive, the Chairman and the Trust Board of a local NHS Care Trust, which managed Children’s Services. Her responsibilities spanned across HR, Finance, Governance, Compliance, Risk, systems and processes, and internal training. Rach also supported the Children’s Safeguarding Lead with safeguarding investigations.

                        In 2017, she left the NHS to pursue a successful self-employed career supporting business to grow, with flexible business development and administration support, which she continues to do on a part-time basis.

                        Rach is in house trained, and is passionate about delivering outstanding services and enjoys working as part of the safeguarding team to achieve a common goal.

                        In her own time, she loves spending time outside, and long walks with the two family dogs. 

                        Shelley Armstrong

                        Shelley joined Safeguarding Support in 2020 as an experienced AET-qualified trainer. She now leads on training delivery and safeguarding research, ensuring our clients remain informed and prepared for the ever-evolving challenges within safeguarding in education.

                        With a passion for fostering engagement, pride, and confidence through training, Shelley draws on a diverse background that blends commercial insight from the private sector with expertise in psychology and counselling. Her learner-focused approach ensures that every course is both practical and empowering.

                        Based in Yorkshire, Shelley enjoys walking her Springer Spaniel – whatever the weather!

                        Abigail Havon

                        Abigail is an experienced and AET-qualified trainer with a strong foundation in safeguarding, having begun her career in the charity sector. During her time there, she served as a regional manager and a key member of the safeguarding leadership team, where she contributed to the development of policies and procedures, designed and delivered training, and supported staff and volunteers working one-to-one with children in schools. 

                         

                        In her current role with Safeguarding Support, Abigail primarily leads the Reflective Supervision programme.  Supervision is a process where through 1-2-1 meetings and in a group setting, structured support is given to safeguarding professionals across England. The programme focuses on helping DSL’s and DDSL’s manage complex workloads, reflect on their practice, build resilience, and promote wellbeing—enabling them to sustain their capacity to protect and support vulnerable children and families.

                         

                        Abigail’s professional journey spans a variety of sectors and business environments, always in roles that demand strong communication, collaboration, and a people-centred approach. She is deeply committed to empowering educators to work collectively as part of a safeguarding team, believing this collaborative approach leads to better outcomes for children and young people.

                        Based in the Midlands, Abigail enjoys long walks and tending to her ever-growing collection of houseplants.

                        Carol Stephenson

                        Carol has spent her entire career teaching in Bradford primary schools. Most recently she was Head Teacher of a large, outstanding, multi-academy trust, inner-city
                        school where she gained Local Leaders of Education (LLE) status.

                        Carol is a highly experienced Designated Safeguarding Lead and safeguarding Governor, with an extensive range of expertise, skills and knowledge. It was through this depth of experience that she became a dedicated representative of Bradford Children’s Safeguarding Board. In June 2019, Carol was awarded a Bradford Safeguarding Champions lifetime achievement award 2019 for her continued work in safeguarding the children of Bradford.

                        Carol is in-house trained and is NSPCC certified to deliver Child Protection and Safeguarding training.

                        In her spare time, Carol enjoys working on her allotment.