The role of designated safeguarding lead (DSL) is a complex and varied one, requiring high levels of skill to protect our most vulnerable children, and often involves dealing with complicated cases with many grey areas.
But, as outlined recently in Tes, the lack of any national framework or accredited qualification means there is a huge variety in the quality of training in any given area, adding significant burden to staff who carry the responsibility of this role.
As head of safeguarding and welfare at a trust with community focus as a core driver and the resources to help in this area, though, I was determined that we would do more. So we created the Endeavour Learning Trust DSL Academy to help deliver more training and networking opportunities for this vital role.
The DSL Academy began life last September and has already started to have a big impact. Here’s what we’ve done and why we hope other trusts could create something similar in their area.
Safeguarding training for local schools
Most importantly, the DSL Academy is open to all schools in our communities - not just those in our trust.
To raise awareness of this, I worked with our close partner schools and the local authority to ensure that information was circulated about the academy and every DSL knew they were welcome.
We hold the event at one of our schools, chosen for its central location, making it easily accessible for all. Sessions run for half a day every half-term, with each session set for a different day of the week to ensure that no one is disadvantaged due to timetabling.
In between, we maintain regular communication through newsletters and resources sent out to participants, as well as providing material to read in advance of the next session.
We also have representation from the local authority at events to ensure that we facilitate opportunities for networking between key stakeholders in this area to develop strong multi-agency working.
Spotlight on specific issues
With many schools serving the same communities, there are common themes that DSLs have told me they are finding tricky to manage.
To address this we have themed each session to focus on specific safeguarding issues. We consulted with our partners in the local authority around the most common themes for advice and set the initial topics on these. So far, we’ve covered:
- Bullying and child-on-child abuse
- Responding to and identifying physical abuse, and the defence of reasonable chastisement
- Domestic abuse and Operation Encompass
Our next session will focus on neglect and children living in poverty, exploring the nuances between evidence-based assessment methods and appropriate responses and intervention.
In these sessions, we use practical activities to build confidence in these areas, including applying guidance and local procedures as well as approaching conversations with parents and carers.
We also use the time together to inform staff about new policy developments they need to be aware of and the implications these may have.
Resources to use in schools
As well as supporting DSLs, resources are provided for schools to share with all staff. So far this work has included sharing slide decks, activities and bite-sized training videos suitable for a whole-school audience.
No cost
Because the programme was initially developed within our trust schools as part of our safeguarding responsibilities, we have been able to extend the invitation for free to all local schools at no additional cost.
Indeed, we see it as our moral duty to help build safer communities, and know first-hand the state of school funding. Being able to offer this to all schools without finance being an issue has been key.
The impact
It is clear that there was a pent-up demand for what we have created, with upwards of an additional 35 schools attending from outside of our trust so far.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
For example, participants have stated that the sessions have had a direct impact on their practice in specific situations, which prior to attending the DSL Academy they hadn’t felt confident in. This has translated into the correct agency support for families involved and safer outcomes.
The Endeavour Learning Trust DSL Academy will continue to meet the gap that exists in professional development for strengthening safeguarding practice in education.
However, my hope for the future is that this will be met by a nationally recognised, accredited qualification, giving our children, and the staff protecting them, the support they so desperately need and deserve.
Heather Fowler is head of safeguarding and welfare at Endeavour Learning Trust
