DSL Support Programme

This 12-hour course seeks to grow the confidence of Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) and their deputies, and to enable them to build on their Local Safeguarding Partnership initial DSL training. Participants will learn more about the knowledge and skills required and further explore the challenges of the role. Designed by experienced senior managers, the course seeks to address compliance with statutory guidance and to initiate the sharing of good practice and ideas on how to create an effective whole school/college safeguarding culture. It is also a good opportunity to create a rapport with a peer network of DSLs.

Learning outcomes:
As a Designated Safeguarding Lead (or Deputy) attending this programme, you will:

• Enhance your understanding of your role and your responsibilities in ensuring your setting meets statutory requirements and Ofsted expectations.

• Expand your skills and abilities in relation to capturing and responding to the child’s voice in your setting.

• Increase your knowledge and skills so that you can carry out your role more effectively, including recognising, responding, and recording all levels of concern, including allegations made about staff.

• Increase your understanding of the safeguarding and child protection process.

• Recognise the importance of developing a whole-setting strategic approach to safeguarding and gain skills in implementing a safeguarding culture.

• Learn strategies to help you practice reflectively in your safeguarding work.

• Recognise the importance of maintaining personal wellbeing, and the strategies to do so.

• Create a peer network and share good practice through a whole term of learning and support.

Samantha Lurock

Sam is a Safeguarding Consultant at Safeguarding Network and is a registered Social Worker. Prior to joining Safeguarding Network, she worked for over 12 years in statutory social work settings with children aged pre-birth to 18 years. She has extensive experience of providing both strategic and case-specific oversight and direction for child safeguarding matters relating to risk outside of the home, familial harm, child to child harm and harm from professionals who work with children. She has a passion for delivering accessible and supportive safeguarding learning to a wide variety of audiences including police, health and education colleagues. Sam provides external supervision for several DSLs and is co-chair of the Education Special Interest Group of the Association of Child Protection Professionals.