Designated Safeguarding Lead Training

This course is an online Designated Safeguarding Lead Training course specifically developed for the Designated Safeguarding Lead Person and Deputy or equivalent who have already completed an introductory course such as the Safeguarding Children course.

There are also specific tracks for learners based in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. You can choose the most appropriate route at the start of the course.

On completion of this course, the learner will have a better understanding of:

• What is involved in the role of a Designated Safeguarding Lead Person
• Child protection legislation and processes
• Working with both statutory and non-statutory agencies
• Identifying concerns/making referrals
• Handling allegations and complaints

At the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Describe the role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead Person
• Relate to national statutory guidance created to promote welfare, safeguard and protect children
• Ensure that good practice with regards to safeguarding and child protection is embedded within your organisation
• Demonstrate an understanding of statutory and non-statutory roles in protecting children
• Be able to deal with safeguarding concerns and referrals on behalf of the organisation
• Ensure adequate advice, support, information, induction, instruction and training for staff is available within the organisation
• Respond to allegations and complaints

This module will give you an overview of the responsibilities of the Designated Safeguarding Lead Person and the prerequisites needed to undertake the role.

By the end of the module, you will understand what qualities and skills are required to be a successful Designated Safeguarding Lead and the requirements for taking up the role.

This module will act as a refresher and building stage for your existing introduction to child protection training. It is important that you have refreshed your previous learning so you are ready to apply your basic child protection awareness to the modules that follow.

By the end of this module, you will have refreshed your knowledge of the different kinds of abuse you may encounter and the signs that could indicate a child or young person has fallen victim to them. We will have also reminded you of some of the myths surrounding child abuse and the importance of remaining child-focused.

As well as informing you of the legal framework, this module will discuss relevant guidance and assessments, which were designed to enable people to recognise where support may be needed.

Regional variants of this course will also cover:

• The Rights of Children and Young Persons Measure (Wales)
• Getting It Right for Every Child (Scotland)
• Working Together to Safeguard Children (England)
• Co-operating to Safeguard Children and young people in Northern Ireland

By the end of the module, you will be able to understand the relationship between the guidance and the law, and your role within the child protection process.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead Person is pivotal in maintaining an effective child protection process and a culture of safeguarding within an organisation. This module is key to understanding the function of the Designated Safeguarding Lead Person and the importance of the role.

By the end of this module, you will have a better understanding how to act as central contact for safeguarding, your role in compiling or creating policy, and when and where to seek advice and guidance if needed.

One of the areas that the DSL and DDSL role will cover is the encouragement and maintenance of good lines of communication. Child protection and safeguarding is much more effective when barriers to communication are removed, opportunities for disclosure are available, and interdepartmental contact is maximised.

By the end of this module, you will better understand the need for clear communication, the importance of safe information sharing and the role played by the DSL or DDSL in creating a culture of communication.

The role of the DSL/DDSL will often require that they act as a pivotal point of contact for a variety of agencies. Understanding of the roles of these agencies and the tools that they use will facilitate a fast, appropriate and effective response to a situation.

By the end of this module, you will understand the role of the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB)/Safeguarding Partners/ Child Protection Committee/SBNI and how the various statutory and other agencies should work effectively together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. 

It is the right of families experiencing the safeguarding or child protection process to make a complaint if they feel the need. All complaints should be given equal attention, and part of the role of the DSL/DDSL is to ensure that the policy for dealing with complaints is appropriate and fair.

By the end of this module, you will have a greater understanding of the process for complaints, who should be involved, and how to progress a complaint or allegation in the right way.

This part of the training will assess how well you have understood the content of your course, by asking a series of questions about what you have learned.

Once you have passed your assessment, you will be able to download your certificate. Your pass rate will be 70% but don’t worry if you do not pass the first time, as you can take the test multiple times.

This section contains a range of useful sources of information, downloadable materials, further reading and resources that you may find useful.