Are you a Designated Safeguarding Lead (or Deputy) working with Children & Young People in Bedfordshire?
This is an overview of the support available to Designated Safeguarding Leads and Deputies in Education and Early Years group settings. Keeping Children Safe in Education (Annex C) provides detailed information on the specific requirements of a DSL in Education settings, and the Early Years Foundations Stage (EYFS) provides details for group/ school based provision. You should read this alongside your own policies/ procedures to ensure you are able to fulfil the responsibilities of this role.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I am a new designated (or deputy) safeguarding lead (DSL). What training do I need to do?
A: Before enrolling on the DSL training below, you should already be confident and competent in safeguarding signs and indicators, reporting concerns, information sharing and your own organisations safeguarding policies and procedures.
The following training is available locally for those holding the named DSL or Deputy role;
Designated Safeguarding Leads: Managing your Role and Responsibilities: This covers DSL specific role and responsibilities.
Working Together to Safeguard Children: This covers the multi-agency perspective and builds on good practice.
Q: I am a designated (or deputy) safeguarding lead (DSL). I did my training two years ago, but I need to update. What training do I need to do?
A: If you have already completed ‘Designated Safeguarding Leads: Managing your Role and Responsibilities’ and ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ training, you are not required to repeat them so long as you remain confident/ competent in the learning outcomes covered.
Instead, we would recommend that you review the Safeguarding Bedfordshire multi-agency training programme and select courses based on relevant issues to your work, gaps in knowledge, local themes and/ or changes in legislation guidance (for example, updates to the DfE national ‘Working Together’ guidance). You should complete either one full day or two half days of classroom based training. Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and the Early Years Foundations Stage (EYFS) provides details on training expectations for DSL’s in group/ school based provision.
Need a refresh on the DSL role? Designated Safeguarding Lead: Update is available.
Working Together to Safeguard Children training course was fully rewritten in December 2023. It is our recommended update for current DSLs or Deputy DSLs who have not attended this training in the last 2 years.
Q: I am the designated (or deputy) safeguarding lead (DSL). How often do I need to update my Safeguarding Lead training?
A: As detailed in Keeping Children Safe in Education (Annex C), Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputies in Education settings should undertake formal training every two years. They should also update their skills and knowledge at regular intervals, but at least annually, to keep up with any developments relevant to their role. For those in Early Years (group / school based settings), our Local Safeguarding Children Partnerships place the same expectations.
Q: I am a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL), what training should I complete?
A: As per KCSiE 2024 (Annex C, page 170) “any deputies should be trained to the same standard as the designated safeguarding lead and the role should be explicit in their job description”.
Q: As DSL, I “act as a source of support, advice and expertise for all staff*”- is there any training to help me?
A: Safeguarding Bedfordshire is taking expressions of interest for ‘Safeguarding: Train the Trainer’. This course aims to ensure you can provide and oversee effective Level 1 (new staff and those in indirect contact with children and young people), Level 2 (staff with direct contact with children and young people) and refresher training.
* Keeping Children Safe in Education (Annexe C, P.171)
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Connect with local DSL’s (Education Settings only)
A message from your local authority Safeguarding Education Leads…
If new to the DSL role, please get in touch with us using the relevant email below. We use the DSL distribution list to share key safeguarding news and updates. Occasionally, we work with other agencies, such as the Police, to help identify vulnerable children. The DSL distribution list is a key communication point, so please do keep us updated if there are changes to the DSL role in your school.
Bedford Borough: schoolimprovement@bedford.gov.uk
DSL’s in traded service schools/ academies in Bedford Borough receive fortnightly newsletter and are invited to online monthly DSL events. BBC DSL’s to come together and gain updates from guest speakers. DSL’s can help us shape these events, please email vicky.hayward@bedford.gov.uk with any questions, themes and suggestions for the DSL events.
Central Bedfordshire: safeguarding.education@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
DSL’s in Central Bedfordshire receive a regular newsletter invites to online DSL forum with regular guest speakers. DSL’s can help us shape these events; use the above email to send suggestions for forum topics.
Luton: TBC
DSL’s based in Early Years settings (group/ school based) should engage with their local Early Years Networks to keep up to date with local issues.
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Keep up to date with Local & National safeguarding news
You may find it helpful to sign up to the following websites and mailing lists for regular safeguarding updates:
Local
Safeguarding Bedfordshire is the joint website for the Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Luton Safeguarding Children Partnerships.
View the Safeguarding Bedfordshire multi-agency training programme and sign up to their newsletter.
VERU (Violence and Exploitation Reduction Unit) subscribe option at the bottom of the page
National
Andrew Hall - Safeguarding In Schools (sign up for the free weekly briefing sent out Monday morning)
NSPCC newsletter CASPAR | NSPCC Learning
Educate Against Hate- Contact - Educate Against Hate
Sign up for online safety resources from CEOP/ ThinkUKnow
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Need help? Contact us at safeguarding.bedfordshire@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
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