What is DSL (Designated Safeguarding Lead)?

The DSL is the person staff go to when they are worried about a child. They make decisions about concerns, refer to children’s social care or the police where needed, keep child protection records, and make sure staff are trained and know what to do. KCSIE says the DSL should be a member of the senior leadership team and that the role includes online safety. Settings can appoint deputies, but lead responsibility stays with the DSL.

The DSL needs proper training, refreshed regularly, and should have the time and authority to do the role well. Everyone on the staff should know who the DSL and any deputies are, and how to reach them.

England and Wales

In England, the DSL role is defined in KCSIE, which applies to schools and colleges, including independent schools and pupil referral units. In Wales, the Keeping learners safe guidance uses the term designated safeguarding person (DSP) for the equivalent role.

Why it matters for your setting

• Even very small providers need a clearly named safeguarding lead, and a deputy for when they are away.
• Schools and local authorities that commission places will ask who your DSL is and how concerns are handled.
• Inspectors look closely at whether staff know how to raise concerns and whether the DSL acts on them.

How PupilDB helps

Any member of staff can raise a safeguarding concern in PupilDB, and by default only the DSL and deputies can see and manage it: status, risk, actions, outcome and a chronology for each pupil, with a log of who has looked at each record. PupilDB also stores safeguarding and first-aid certificates on each staff record, so you can keep track of your DSL’s and other staff members’ training.