How often should the link governor meet the DSL?

At least once a term, with a structured agenda covering training, policy updates, incident themes, and any concerns about staff. Many schools find a half-termly check-in works better in busier periods.

Do governors need DBS checks?

Yes — KCSIE 2025 requires governors to have an enhanced DBS check without barred list information (unless they engage in regulated activity). Your clerk maintains this on the Single Central Record.

What does "safeguarding culture" actually look like?

Staff report concerns quickly. Pupils can name a trusted adult. Low-level concerns are recorded without fear. Senior leaders model the language and behaviour. Incidents lead to learning, not blame.

For governors

Governor Checklist: Strategic Safeguarding Oversight

Strategic prompts for governors and trustees: filtering and monitoring evidence, staff training, safeguarding culture, online safety curriculum, and incident trends.

Overview

Governors and trustees hold strategic responsibility for safeguarding arrangements. KCSIE 2025 expects them to ensure policies, training, and procedures are effective and to monitor the school's safeguarding culture. The link governor for safeguarding should meet the DSL at least termly. This is an oversight role, not an operational one.

Key points

Strategic oversight, not operational interference: ask the right questions.
Filtering and monitoring is a named governing-body responsibility under KCSIE 2025.
Safeguarding culture is visible in language, training, response times, and how concerns about staff are handled.
Online safety curriculum and incident trends should be reported to the full board at least annually.
Single Central Record (SCR) and safer recruitment compliance are governing-body assurances.
Whistleblowing and low-level concerns processes must be active and trusted.

Practical steps

Step 1

Meet the DSL at least once a term — diary the dates at the start of the year.

Step 2

Review the school's annual safeguarding report and challenge any gaps.

Step 3

Walk the corridors: are safeguarding posters up, are pupils able to name a trusted adult?

Step 4

Sample staff understanding — speak to two or three staff each visit about how they would report a concern.

Step 5

Ensure the link governor undertakes safeguarding training appropriate to the role.

Step 6

Sign off the annual review of the child protection and online safety policies.

Checklist

Tick boxes are for on-screen working only — they do not save between visits. Use the checklist as a prompt and capture outcomes in your school's safeguarding system.

Named safeguarding governor in post with appropriate trainingGreen
Safeguarding and child protection policy reviewed annuallyGreen
Filtering and monitoring standards reviewed by governors annuallyAmber
Online safety curriculum reviewed and outcomes reportedAmber
Single Central Record audited by a governor at least annuallyGreen
Safer recruitment training current for at least one panel memberGreen
Whistleblowing policy reviewed and accessible to staff and pupilsGreen
Incident trends and themes discussed at full governing bodyAmber
Pupil voice on safety captured and reviewed annuallyAmber

What not to do

Do not get involved in individual cases — that is the DSL's operational responsibility.
Do not accept "all fine" reports without evidence — ask for numbers, themes, and actions taken.
Do not allow safeguarding to be a standing item that never has real discussion time.

Frequently Asked Questions

External sources

Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025 — Department for Education
Governance handbook — Department for Education
Inspecting safeguarding in early years, education and skills — Ofsted

Last reviewed: 2026-05-20Next review: 2026-08-20Reviewed against: KCSIE 2025

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.