Best Practice

Looking after your school's designated safeguarding lead

Safeguarding Staff wellbeing
The designated safeguarding lead is a high pressure role that can take its toll on staff. It is vital, therefore, that they are supported to fulfil their duties effectively. Sara Alston considers how schools can look after their DSL
Overloaded? It is very easy for more and more elements – attendance, mental health lead, pastoral support, etc – to be added to the DSL’s portfolio - Adobe Stock

On page 170, the statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) states: “The designated safeguarding lead (DSL) should have the appropriate status and authority within the school or college to carry out the duties of the post.

“The role of the DSL carries a significant level of responsibility, and they should be given the additional time, funding, training, resources and support they need to carry out the role effectively.” (DfE, 2024)

But what does this look like in practice?

The support provided to a DSL and the context they work in varies hugely from school to school. It ranges from the head of a small infant or primary school who wears the DSL hat alongside four or five other key roles, to the DSL in a large secondary who is managing a team of deputies and other staff with specific safeguarding responsibilities, some with specialist training. There are many variations in between.

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