Everything You Need to Start Leading Safeguarding

This comprehensive pack contains 23 resources designed to support new DSLs through their first term and beyond, providing structure, clarity and confidence as you establish your safeguarding leadership role.

Essential Templates (21 editable documents)

Getting Started Tools:

• New to DSL Checklist - your roadmap for the first crucial weeks and months in safeguarding leadership
• DSL Handover Checklist -gather key information about open cases, contacts and procedures from your predecessor
• Safeguarding Folder Checklist - organise your whole-school safeguarding file effectively for statutory compliance

Assessment & Planning:

• Safeguarding Self-Evaluation Form - evaluate current provision across policy, culture, staff training and child protection procedures
• Safeguarding Action Plan - turn your findings into structured, strategic priorities for safeguarding improvement
• Safeguarding Snapshot Audit - quick-start review tool for early-stage evaluation of safeguarding arrangements
• DSL Skills Audit - reflective tool to identify your CPD needs and track professional growth in safeguarding leadership (also available to purchase separately)

Communication & Multi-Agency Working:

• Safeguarding Question Bank - conversation starters for staff, parents, governors and pupils about safeguarding matters
• DSL Meeting Record Template - structured notes for child protection, CIN and Early Help meetings
• Staff Safeguarding Supervision Form - document meetings to support staff wellbeing and caseload management

Case Management & Monitoring:

• Open Cases Log Template - track all current safeguarding concerns, Early Help, CIN and CP cases
• Safeguarding Referrals Log Template - evidence and monitor referrals made to external agencies
• Looked-After Children Information Log - ensure clear oversight and timely support for children in care
• Physical Intervention Record Template - consistent recording for legal compliance and pattern monitoring
• Sexual Harassment and Violence Log Template - meet statutory expectations for incident recording

Safer Recruitment & Compliance:

• Single Central Record Checklist - ensure your SCR meets all statutory requirements (also available with SCR overview checks documentation in a separate resource)
• Pre-Employment Checklist - track essential checks before staff appointments
• Safer Recruitment Checklist - follow DfE-compliant recruitment procedures
• Safeguarding Induction Checklist - ensure comprehensive safeguarding induction for all new staff

Guidance Documents

Everything You Need to Start Leading Safeguarding Guide

Eight-page PDF guidance giving you a step-by-step roadmap through the first month, including:

• Five immediate priorities to tackle from day one as DSL
• Week-by-week task breakdown for your first 30 days in safeguarding leadership
• Practical advice on adapting to your school's safeguarding context
• Tips on building relationships with staff, pupils, parents and external agencies

Safeguarding Jargon Buster

Quick-reference guide explaining common safeguarding terms, abbreviations and acronyms in clear, accessible language for effective multi-agency communication.

All templates (excluding PDFs) use editable formats (Microsoft Word .docx files) and include guidance notes.

This pack is specifically designed for education professionals who are new to safeguarding leadership or transitioning into DSL responsibilities. Whether you're completely new to the role or bringing experience from another setting, these resources provide the structure and confidence you need to succeed in this crucial child protection role.

Perfect if you're:

• Taking on the DSL role for the first time
• Moving to a new school as an experienced DSL
• Stepping up from classroom teacher to safeguarding leadership
• Looking for structured guidance during a mid-year appointment
• Wanting to refresh your safeguarding systems and approach

Ideal for:

• Primary and secondary schools
• Mainstream settings with safeguarding responsibilities
• New DSLs starting in September or mid-year
• DSLs wanting comprehensive, ready-to-use safeguarding templates
• Headteachers looking to support incoming an DSL to establish effective child protection systems from day one

Starting as a DSL can feel overwhelming with so many responsibilities and stakeholders to consider. This pack addresses the most common questions and challenges new safeguarding leaders face:

• What should I prioritise in my first month as DSL? - Step-by-step guidance breaks down your first 30 days into manageable weekly tasks focused on child protection essentials
• How do I conduct a handover from an outgoing DSL? - The comprehensive DSL Handover Checklist ensures you gather all essential information about open cases, external contacts and urgent priorities
• What documents should be in my safeguarding file? - The complete Safeguarding Folder Checklist helps you organise everything in one accessible place for statutory compliance
• How do I evaluate current safeguarding provision quickly? - The Safeguarding Snapshot Audit tool gives you an immediate overview of strengths and gaps in child protection arrangements
• What questions should I ask staff, parents and pupils about safeguarding? - Ready-made safeguarding question banks guide your first conversations with all stakeholders about child protection matters
• How do I track safeguarding cases and referrals effectively? - Open cases logs and referral tracking templates provide you with clear monitoring systems for child protection work
• What are my training needs as a new DSL? - Skills audit helps you identify CPD priorities and plan professional development in safeguarding leadership
• How do I record meetings and communicate with external agencies? - Professional meeting templates and supervision forms ensure effective multi-agency working and clear documentation
• How do I ensure my Single Central Record is compliant? - Comprehensive checklists guide you through safer recruitment requirements and statutory record-keeping

All templates (excluding the PDFs) are fully editable, allowing you to adapt content to your school's context, add branding, and modify language to suit your setting and stakeholders whilst maintaining statutory compliance.

If you're establishing safeguarding leadership in your school, these related resources can help you deepen your understanding, strengthen child protection provision and develop strategic oversight once you've completed your initial setup.

Safeguarding Training Pack - Full Academic Year Comprehensive training programme covering all essential safeguarding topics across the full year, supporting statutory training requirements, staff development and continuous improvement in child protection knowledge and practice.

Full Safeguarding Audit

A deep-dive evaluation tool to review safeguarding provision across all key areas, supporting thorough self-evaluation, Ofsted preparation and strategic leadership for comprehensive child protection arrangements in your school.

Prevent Duty Awareness Training and Audit Bundle

Specialist resource to help DSLs understand and implement the Prevent duty effectively, including staff training materials and audit tools to ensure compliance with counter-extremism requirements and safeguard pupils from radicalisation risks.