What Does a Designated Safeguarding Lead Do? Training Guide

A designated safeguarding lead (DSL) is the person in an organisation who takes the lead on safeguarding: they're the first port of call when a member of staff has a concern, they decide what happens next, and they make sure the organisation's safeguarding policy works in practice. The title is a legal requirement in schools. In care and health services it's a role that providers create to meet their safeguarding duties, and the training reflects that.

What a safeguarding lead does

• Is the first point of contact for staff concerns about abuse or neglect, and makes sure concerns are acted on, not just recorded.
• Decides on referrals to the local authority, and to the police where a crime may have been committed, under the Care Act 2014 for adults and local arrangements for children.
• Works with other agencies, including social workers, health professionals and the police, and takes part in safeguarding enquiries and meetings.
• Handles allegations against staff, including when to involve the local authority and, for allegations involving children, the local authority designated officer (LADO).
• Keeps defensible records: what was reported, what was decided, why, and what happened next.
• Supports colleagues, who often find disclosures difficult, and makes sure training and the safeguarding policy stay current.

Schools versus care and health services

In schools and colleges in England, Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) requires a DSL from the senior leadership team. Their training must be updated at least every two years, and their knowledge refreshed at least annually. School DSL training should be built around KCSIE.

In adult social care and health services, there's no single statutory "DSL" role. Providers have duties under the Care Act 2014 and, if registered with CQC, Regulation 13 (safeguarding service users from abuse and improper treatment). Most meet them by naming a safeguarding lead, and often a deputy, who is trained to a higher level than frontline staff. Inspectors will expect staff to know who that person is.

What level of training does a safeguarding lead need?

Frontline staff usually need Level 2 safeguarding: recognising abuse and neglect, and knowing how to report it. A safeguarding lead needs Level 3, which goes further:

• the legal framework, including the Care Act 2014, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and, where children are involved, the Children Act 1989 and 2004;
• making and following up referrals, and what makes a good referral;
• working with other agencies and taking part in safeguarding enquiries;
• managing disclosures and allegations against staff;
• information sharing and record-keeping;
• supporting and supervising colleagues through safeguarding concerns.

Leads in services that support both adults and children, or who may come across children through the people they support, should be trained in both.

How often should safeguarding leads refresh?

In schools, KCSIE sets the cycle: formal training at least every two years and a knowledge refresh at least annually. In care and health there's no fixed national cycle, but legislation, local procedures and lessons from safeguarding reviews change often enough that most organisations refresh their lead's training annually. Whatever you choose, set it in your safeguarding policy and keep the records.

Choosing a safeguarding lead

• Seniority: they need the authority to act, including on concerns about colleagues and managers.
• Availability: someone needs to be reachable on every shift, which usually means a named deputy too.
• Judgement: they'll make decisions under pressure, often with incomplete information.
• Time: the role takes time, especially during an enquiry, so it needs to be recognised in their workload.

Kasorb's designated safeguarding lead training is Level 3, built for care and health services, for adults only or adults and children, over two days on site or live online, with a one-day annual refresher. Frontline teams can take our Level 2 safeguarding adults training. For the wider picture, see our guide to mandatory health and safety training for employees.

FAQs

Is a designated safeguarding lead a legal requirement?

In schools and colleges in England, yes, under KCSIE. In adult social care and health services there's no legal requirement for the title, but providers must safeguard the people they support, and naming a trained lead is the usual way to show it.

What's the difference between Level 2 and Level 3 safeguarding?

Level 2 is for frontline staff: recognising abuse and neglect and reporting concerns. Level 3 is for people who lead safeguarding: making referrals, working with other agencies and handling allegations.

Do safeguarding leads need Level 2 first?

Yes. Level 3 builds on Level 2, so leads should have completed Level 2 safeguarding training.

Can a care home have more than one safeguarding lead?

Yes, and most should. A named deputy means there is always someone trained to act, including on nights and weekends.

Is safeguarding lead training for care the same as school DSL training?

No. School DSLs follow KCSIE and need a school-specific course. Care and health safeguarding leads need training built around the Care Act 2014 and adult safeguarding procedures.