Does every school have a DSL?

Yes. All schools and colleges in England must have a Designated Safeguarding Lead and at least one Deputy DSL, as set out in Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025. The same expectation applies to most registered early years settings.

Can I ask to speak to the DSL directly?

Yes. You can ask the school office for the DSL by name and request a meeting. Schools should publish the name of the DSL in their safeguarding policy. If the DSL is unavailable, a Deputy DSL covers the role.

Will the DSL share what I tell them?

DSLs follow the principle of proportionate and necessary information sharing. They will share information with other staff or external agencies only where it is needed to keep a child safe. They will normally tell you what they are sharing and why, unless doing so would increase the risk to a child.

What training does a DSL have?

DSLs must complete formal safeguarding training before taking on the role, and refresh it at least every two years. Many also attend local authority briefings, multi-agency forums, and updates on new statutory guidance such as KCSIE 2025.

What is a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)?

Every school in England must have a DSL. Here is what they do, what they can decide, and how they fit into the wider safeguarding system.

Overview

A Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is a senior member of staff in every English school, college, and most early years settings whose specific job is to take the lead on safeguarding and child protection. The role is set out in Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2025, which is statutory guidance schools must follow.

The DSL is usually a senior leader — often a deputy headteacher, assistant head, or in primary schools sometimes the headteacher themselves. They will have completed extra child protection training (refreshed at least every two years) and will know the local authority's safeguarding referral processes inside out.

The DSL is the person a teacher, parent, or pupil should go to if they have a worry about a child's welfare. They decide what happens next: whether the concern is recorded and monitored, whether early help is offered, or whether a referral to children's services or the police is needed.

What this means in plain English

In short

If you have raised a worry with your child's school, or if the school has contacted you about a concern, the DSL is almost certainly the person making the decisions. They are not investigating you or your family — their statutory duty is to make sure children are safe and to coordinate with the right outside agencies when needed.

Who is involved

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) — the senior member of staff with overall responsibility for safeguarding in the setting.
Deputy DSLs — at least one, often more, trained to the same level so cover is always available.
Headteacher — accountable for the school's overall safeguarding arrangements.
Governors / Trustees — must appoint a nominated safeguarding governor and review policies annually.
Local authority Designated Officer (LADO) — the DSL contacts the LADO if a concern involves an adult who works with children.

What to expect

1
The DSL will listen to the concern and decide whether to record it on the school's secure safeguarding system (often CPOMS or MyConcern).
2
They will consider whether the worry can be supported within school, through early help, or whether it needs a referral to children's services.
3
They will follow the local safeguarding partnership's written thresholds and procedures — not personal judgement alone.
4
They will contact you as a parent in most cases, unless doing so would put a child at greater risk (for example in suspected abuse by a family member).
5
They will keep written records that follow the child if they move school.

What you can do

Ask the school office who the DSL is — every school must publish this on its website and in its safeguarding policy.
Raise concerns about your own child directly with the DSL, or with any teacher who can pass it on.
Ask what action will be taken, what is being recorded, and when you will next hear from them.
Request to see the school's child protection and safeguarding policy — you are entitled to a copy.
If you disagree with a DSL's decision, ask to speak to the headteacher; if still unhappy, contact the chair of governors.

Common misconceptions

Myth: The DSL is there to catch parents out.

Reality: The DSL's statutory role is to safeguard children, which usually means working with parents, not against them. Most concerns are managed inside school with the family fully informed.

Myth: If the DSL gets involved, social services will automatically be called.

Reality: Only a small proportion of school safeguarding concerns lead to a children's services referral. The DSL applies local thresholds, and many concerns are resolved through early help or pastoral support.

Myth: DSLs can keep secrets from parents.

Reality: DSLs are expected to involve parents unless doing so would increase risk to a child. Information sharing has to be lawful, proportionate, and necessary.

After a concern is raised School raised a concern Referrals explained Reporting: school safeguarding concern

External sources

Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025 — Department for Education
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 — Department for Education
Designated safeguarding lead training and role — NSPCC Learning

Frequently Asked Questions

Last reviewed: 2026-05-20Next review: 2026-11-20Reviewed against: KCSIE 2025, Working Together 2023

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.