Preparing for a meeting with the school DSL

A prep sheet to help you get the most from a meeting with your child's Designated Safeguarding Lead — what to bring, ask, and agree.

When to use this templateUse before a meeting (in person or by phone) with the school's DSL about a concern involving your child, so you arrive organised and leave with clear next steps.

Tone guidance

Go in collaborative, not combative — you and the DSL share the goal of the child's safety.
Write down what's agreed during the meeting and read it back to confirm.
Ask for timescales and a named contact.

Template

DSL meeting prep

Meeting: [DATE / WHO]
Concern (one line): [ONE-LINE SUMMARY]

Facts and timeline to share: [DATES / EVENTS]

Questions to ask:
- What will be recorded, and where?
- What steps will the school take, and by when?
- Who is my point of contact and how do I reach them?
- Will other agencies (e.g. children's services, police) be involved, and how will I be kept informed?
- What support can the school offer my child?

Outcomes I'm hoping for: [WHAT GOOD LOOKS LIKE]

After the meeting, note: what was agreed, who is doing what, and the review date.

Fields to replace

[DATE / WHO] — Meeting date and who will attend
[ONE-LINE SUMMARY] — The concern in one sentence
[DATES / EVENTS] — Key facts and timeline
[WHAT YOU WANT TO ASK] — Your questions
[WHAT GOOD LOOKS LIKE] — Outcomes you're hoping for

What to attach

•Your timeline and any evidence.
•A pen and paper (or notes app) to record what's agreed.

What not to include

Don't go in with accusations about named pupils — focus on your child and what you need.
Don't agree to anything you don't understand — ask for it in writing.

Last reviewed: 2026-07-13Next review: 2026-10-13

This is practical educational content to support families. For case-specific concerns about a child's safety, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or your local safeguarding team.