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Kate Bowers

This Designated Safeguarding Lead Children course raises awareness of national guidance and legislation around child safeguarding, responsibilities of the Designated Safeguarding Lead and the key areas of success within the role.

The course covers what safeguarding and child protection are, key guidance and legislation, safer recruitment procedures, the role and responsibilities of the Designated Safeguarding Lead, managing allegations against staff, record keeping, support and more.

By the end of the training you will be able to...

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This Designated Safeguarding Lead Children course raises awareness of national guidance and legislation around child safeguarding, responsibilities of the Designated Safeguarding Lead and the key areas of success within the role.

The course covers what safeguarding and child protection are, key guidance and legislation, safer recruitment procedures, the role and responsibilities of the Designated Safeguarding Lead, managing allegations against staff, record keeping, support and more.

By the end of the training you will be able to...

  • Describe the role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead and list the key areas of responsibility

  • Have an awareness of the key legislation and guidance underpinning your organisations policy

  • Understand the concerns staff and volunteers may have when reporting concerns

  • Understand how to make timely appropriate decisions when a child or young person discloses abuse, or when a staff or volunteer reports abuse

  • Understand how to keep timely, accurate, confidential records

  • Demonstrate an awareness of the emotional aspect of safeguarding

Who is it for?

Anyone who is newly appointed Designated Safeguarding Lead or Deputy

Why train with me?

I have over 16 years as a Primary Educator

Experienced Safeguarding Training Officer for multiple Local Authorities

I am a highly rated Udemy instructor

I am a mum.

I am a big advocate of trauma informed and restorative practice

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Safeguarding
  • Child protection
  • Management
  • Children social care

Syllabus

Introduction

Welcome to Designated Safeguarding Lead Training - Please watch the lectures at your own pace and complete the reflection activities, making notes as you go in the booklet attached to this lecture.

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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Covers key guidance and legislation, which is essential for Designated Safeguarding Leads to stay informed and compliant with current regulations
Explores safer recruitment procedures, which helps Designated Safeguarding Leads create a safer environment for children and young people
Examines managing allegations against staff, which is a critical skill for Designated Safeguarding Leads to handle sensitive situations effectively
Develops skills in record keeping, which is crucial for maintaining accurate and confidential information related to safeguarding concerns
Examines the emotional aspect of safeguarding, which helps Designated Safeguarding Leads approach their role with empathy and understanding
Requires reflection activities, which may require learners to have access to materials beyond what is typically available in a household or library

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Reviews summary

Essential training for safeguarding leads

According to learners, this course provides clear and comprehensive coverage of the key responsibilities for a Designated Safeguarding Lead. Students find the content highly relevant and practical, offering valuable insights into legislation, guidance, and practical procedures like managing allegations and record keeping. The course is described as well-structured and easy to follow, making complex topics accessible. Many appreciate that the information is directly applicable to their professional roles.
Instructor's experience is valuable.
"Very informative and explained well by the instructor."
"Thank you for this course. The tutor is very knowledgeable."
"The instructor's experience shines through in the explanations."
"Instructor made the content engaging."
Covers essential areas like legislation & allegations.
"Covered the key areas of legislation well."
"Very informative regarding legislation and guidance."
"The section on managing allegations was particularly helpful."
"Good explanations on record keeping."
"I found the information on safer recruitment very useful."
Information is directly applicable to the DSL role.
"Very informative and helpful course, highly applicable to my job."
"Excellent delivery, content relevant and useful for my role."
"Very practical and useful information that I can apply immediately."
"Found the content very useful for my role as a DSL."
"Useful information which is directly applicable to my role."
Content is clear, concise, and easy to understand.
"Clear and concise overview, useful information provided."
"Excellent information clearly delivered."
"Well explained and easy to understand information."
"Everything was covered that is needed to know and more - presented clearly and concisely."
"Information is easy to understand and very comprehensive. Thank you"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Designated Safeguarding Lead (Safeguarding Children) with these activities:
Review Child Protection Legislation
Strengthen your understanding of the legal framework underpinning child safeguarding. This will help you apply the correct procedures and make informed decisions as a Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Browse courses on Child Protection
Show steps
  • Identify key pieces of legislation.
  • Summarize the main points of each law.
  • Consider how these laws apply to your role.
Read 'Child Protection: An Introduction'
Gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of child protection. This book provides a comprehensive overview of key issues and challenges.
View Alter Ego: A Novel on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of the book.
  • Read the book, focusing on key concepts.
  • Reflect on how the information applies to your role.
Read 'The Safeguarding Pocketbook'
Gain a practical understanding of safeguarding principles and procedures. This book offers a quick and accessible overview of key concepts relevant to your role.
View Alter Ego: A Novel on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of the book.
  • Read the book, taking notes on key concepts.
  • Reflect on how the information applies to your role.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Participate in a Peer Supervision Group
Share experiences and learn from other Designated Safeguarding Leads. This provides a supportive environment for discussing challenges and best practices.
Show steps
  • Find a peer supervision group.
  • Attend regular meetings.
  • Share your experiences and learn from others.
Attend a Local Safeguarding Board Training
Enhance your knowledge of local safeguarding procedures and resources. This will help you work effectively with local agencies and partners.
Show steps
  • Identify relevant training opportunities.
  • Register for and attend the training.
  • Apply the learning to your role.
Create a Staff Training Presentation
Reinforce your understanding by creating a presentation for staff training. This will help you communicate key safeguarding messages effectively.
Show steps
  • Identify key safeguarding topics.
  • Develop engaging presentation slides.
  • Practice delivering the presentation.
Develop a Safeguarding Audit Tool
Create a tool to assess your organization's safeguarding practices. This will help you identify areas for improvement and ensure compliance with relevant standards.
Show steps
  • Research safeguarding audit frameworks.
  • Design a tool tailored to your organization.
  • Pilot the tool and refine it based on feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Designated Safeguarding Lead (Safeguarding Children) will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Child Protection Officer
A Child Protection Officer works to ensure the safety and well-being of children, often within a social services or law enforcement context. This course directly helps build a foundation for this crucial role, as the Designated Safeguarding Lead Children course focuses on national guidance and legislation around child safeguarding. The curriculum emphasis on understanding key legislation, recognizing signs of abuse, and implementing safer recruitment procedures directly translates to the responsibilities of a Child Protection Officer. One seeking to be a Child Protection Officer should take this course to build a strong underpinning for an understanding of safeguarding children, child protection, management, and children's social care. This course provides a framework for understanding local safeguarding priorities, managing allegations, and establishing a supportive ethos, all essential elements for effective child protection work.
Social Worker
Social Workers provide support and assistance to individuals and families facing various challenges, including child welfare concerns. This course may be helpful because the Designated Safeguarding Lead Children course directly aligns with aspects of this role. The course's coverage of safeguarding and child protection legislation, understanding the concerns of staff and volunteers when reporting, and making appropriate decisions in cases of disclosed abuse are all highly relevant to a Social Worker's responsibilities. This course builds a foundational knowledge of record keeping, safeguarding ethos and support, which is invaluable for social workers. A Social Worker may benefit from taking this course in order to better support children and families.
Youth Worker
Youth Workers support young people's personal, social, and educational development. The Designated Safeguarding Lead Children course can provide a valuable foundation for this role, as it emphasizes safeguarding and child protection. The course's focus on understanding how to make timely and appropriate decisions when a child discloses abuse, or when a staff member reports abuse, is particularly relevant for Youth Workers who frequently interact with young people. The Designated Safeguarding Lead Children course builds a firm understanding of safeguarding ethos, record keeping, and the emotional aspects of safeguarding, skills that are essential for building trust and providing effective support to vulnerable youth. Taking this course, one will understand how to best promote the safety and well-being of the youth with whom they work.
Teacher
Teachers are responsible for the education and welfare of their students, including safeguarding. The Designated Safeguarding Lead Children course provides key insights into child protection, making it potentially useful for educators. The course content on recognizing and responding to disclosures of abuse, understanding safeguarding legislation, and implementing safer recruitment procedures (for staff and volunteers) helps build a safer learning environment. The Designated Safeguarding Lead Children course builds a solid understanding of safeguarding ethos, local safeguarding priorities and support structures which are critical for a Teacher who wants to prioritize their students' well-being. This course can provide educators with the tools and knowledge to create a more secure and supportive classroom, prioritizing the safety and well-being of their students.
School Counselor
School Counselors support students' academic, social, and emotional development, including addressing child welfare concerns, so this course may be useful. The Designated Safeguarding Lead Children course provides key insights into child protection. The course's content on recognizing and responding to disclosures of abuse and understanding safeguarding legislation will help the counselor foster a safe and supportive learning environment. The Designated Safeguarding Lead Children course builds a solid understanding of safeguarding ethos and support, which are critical for effective intervention and referral when students are at risk. A School Counselor should take this course to ensure they are well-equipped to address sensitive issues and safeguard the well-being of their students.
Probation Officer
Probation Officers supervise individuals who have been convicted of crimes, including those involving child welfare. The Designated Safeguarding Lead Children course is potentially useful for informing this role. The course's focus on safeguarding and child protection legislation, understanding the concerns of staff and volunteers when reporting, and making appropriate decisions in cases of disclosed abuse are all relevant to a Probation Officer's responsibilities when dealing with cases involving children or families. The Designated Safeguarding Lead Children course builds a foundational knowledge of record keeping, safeguarding ethos, and support, which is invaluable for probation officers in assessing risk and ensuring the safety of children. A Probation Officer may benefit from taking this course in order to better support children and families.
Family Support Worker
Family Support Workers provide assistance and guidance to families facing various challenges, including child welfare concerns. The Designated Safeguarding Lead Children course is potentially useful, given that it directly aligns with aspects of this role. The course's coverage of safeguarding and child protection legislation, understanding the concerns of staff and volunteers when reporting, and making appropriate decisions in cases of disclosed abuse are all highly relevant to a Family Support Worker's responsibilities. This course builds a foundational knowledge of record keeping, safeguarding ethos, and support, which is invaluable for family support workers. A Family Support Worker may benefit from taking this course in order to better support children and families.
Caregiver
Caregivers provide direct care and support to children in various settings, such as foster homes or residential care facilities. The Designated Safeguarding Lead Children course can provide a valuable foundation for this role because it emphasizes safeguarding and child protection. The course's focus on understanding how to make timely and appropriate decisions when a child discloses abuse, or when a staff member reports abuse, is particularly relevant for Caregivers. The Designated Safeguarding Lead Children course helps build an understanding of safeguarding ethos, record keeping, and the emotional aspects of safeguarding, skills that are essential for building trust and providing effective care to vulnerable children. Taking this course, one will understand how to best promote the safety and well-being of the children in their care.
Early Childhood Educator
Early Childhood Educators work with young children in preschools, daycare centers, and other early learning environments. The Designated Safeguarding Lead Children course may be useful for enhancing their understanding of child protection. The course's focus on safeguarding children and understanding relevant legislation aligns with the responsibilities of an Early Childhood Educator to ensure the safety and well-being of the children in their care. The Designated Safeguarding Lead Children course builds a solid understanding of safeguarding ethos, recognizing potential risks, and responding appropriately to concerns, which are all essential for creating a safe and nurturing environment for young children. An Early Childhood Educator who wishes to be as effective as possible should take this course.
Foster Parent
Foster Parents provide a safe and nurturing home for children who are unable to live with their biological families. The Designated Safeguarding Lead Children course is potentially useful and can provide valuable insights into child protection and safeguarding practices. The course's coverage of key legislation, understanding disclosures of abuse, and maintaining accurate records aligns directly with the responsibilities of a Foster Parent. The Designated Safeguarding Lead Children course builds an enhanced awareness of the emotional aspects of safeguarding, and of a supportive ethos, contributing to the ability to create a stable and supportive environment for children in their care. One who wishes to be a Foster Parent could take this course to ensure they are equipped to prioritize the safety and well-being of the children they care for.
Guidance Counselor
Guidance Counselors assist students with academic, career, and personal development, and may also address sensitive issues such as child abuse or neglect. The Designated Safeguarding Lead Children course may be useful to these individuals. The content on making timely and appropriate decisions when a child discloses abuse, or when a staff member reports abuse, is particularly relevant. The Designated Safeguarding Lead Children course builds an understanding of safeguarding ethos, recognizing potential risks, and responding appropriately to concerns, all skills that would benefit a Guidance Counselor.
Healthcare Professional
Healthcare Professionals, such as nurses, doctors, and therapists, may encounter situations where child safeguarding is a concern. The Designated Safeguarding Lead Children course may be useful for these professionals, as it raises awareness of national guidance and legislation around child safeguarding. While their focus is primarily on medical care, understanding the key areas of responsibility for safeguarding and recognizing potential signs of abuse can help a Healthcare Professional provide more comprehensive support to their patients and their families. This course may promote understanding of the emotional aspects of safeguarding.
Volunteer Coordinator
Volunteer Coordinators manage and support volunteers in various organizations, some of which may work directly with children. The Designated Safeguarding Lead Children course could be useful for these individuals. The course's emphasis on safer recruitment procedures can help a Volunteer Coordinator ensure that volunteers working with children are appropriately vetted and trained. Understanding key legislation and guidance around child safeguarding is also valuable for creating a safe and supportive environment for both volunteers and the children they serve. This course builds a deeper understanding of the concerns staff may have when reporting.
Human Resources Generalist
Human Resources Generalists handle a wide range of employee-related responsibilities, including recruitment, training, and policy development. The Designated Safeguarding Lead Children course may be useful for those working in organizations that interact with children. The course's focus on safer recruitment procedures and managing allegations helps build a HR Generalist's understanding of safeguarding best practices. The Designated Safeguarding Lead Children course helps build a foundational understanding of key legislation and guidance, record-keeping, and creating a supportive ethos, contributing to a more responsible and ethical workplace. This course may give new perspective to those in Human Resources.
Legal Assistant
Legal Assistants support lawyers in a variety of legal settings, potentially including those involving family law or child welfare. The Designated Safeguarding Lead Children course may be useful if their work involves cases related to child protection. While Legal Assistants do not provide legal advice, understanding the key legislation and guidance around child safeguarding can help them better support the attorneys they work with. This course helps build professional awareness of the legal procedures involved, and may assist in drafting legal documentation.

Reading list

We've selected 20 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Designated Safeguarding Lead (Safeguarding Children).
Provides a robust introduction to child welfare and child protection, suitable for undergraduate and graduate students. It covers the historical context, causes of maltreatment, risk assessment, and intervention strategies. The book utilizes case examples to simulate real-world scenarios and is considered a valuable resource for future professionals in the field.
Offers a critical examination of the intersection of child welfare and anti-Black racism in the United States. It challenges traditional approaches and proposes a liberationist framework for ethical practice. This crucial read for those seeking to understand contemporary issues of race and equity in child protection.
This book, while not a textbook, offers compelling case studies that illustrate the impact of trauma on child development. It provides insights into therapeutic approaches and is highly recommended for anyone seeking to understand childhood trauma on a deeper level. is accessible to a broad audience, including high school students with an interest in the topic, as well as undergraduates and professionals.
Introduces the Signs of Safety approach, a widely used framework in child protection casework that focuses on strengths and safety planning. It provides practitioners with a practical model for working with families in complex situations. This must-read for professionals and highly relevant for students preparing for practice.
While not solely focused on child protection, this book classic text that provides a comprehensive understanding of trauma and its impact, which is crucial for anyone working in this field. It delves into the neurobiology of trauma and various treatment approaches, offering valuable insights for deepening one's understanding of the long-term effects of child maltreatment. is highly recommended for professionals and can also be beneficial for graduate students.
Explores the ethical dimensions of child protection practice, which is crucial for professionals navigating complex cases. It offers a process-oriented approach to ethical decision-making, considering the diverse contexts of child protection. This book is particularly relevant for graduate students and working professionals needing to deepen their understanding of the ethical challenges in the field.
Co-authored by a leading expert in childhood trauma, this book translates complex information about trauma and its effects into an accessible conversation. It focuses on understanding rather than just diagnosing, promoting a trauma-informed approach. is valuable for a wide audience, including those new to the topic and professionals seeking to enhance their understanding of trauma's impact.
This handbook provides a practical guide to working with maltreated children and their families, covering the life of a case from report to permanency decisions. It synthesizes best practice principles and addresses legal, medical, and ethical issues. This valuable reference tool for professionals in the field.
A foundational text on understanding trauma and the process of recovery. While covering a broad scope of violence, the framework and insights provided are highly applicable to understanding the experiences of children who have been subjected to abuse and neglect. classic in the trauma field and essential reading for those wanting to deepen their understanding of the impact of violence.
This classic text summarizes key thinking on child development and directly applies it to child care and protection practice. It covers important issues like resilience, vulnerability, and the impact of adverse environments, using attachment theory as a framework. foundational text for students and practitioners, offering case studies and activities to link theory and practice.
This sourcebook offers practical, evidence-informed approaches for working with traumatized children and adolescents. It synthesizes research and translates it into implementable techniques, focusing on safety, self-regulation, and trauma integration. This valuable resource for practitioners seeking to apply trauma-informed care in their work.
This textbook provides a broad introduction to the complex issues in child protection work. It covers the consequences of abuse and neglect, reasons for perpetration, and the organizational framework of child protection. With case examples and exercises, it's a good starting point for undergraduate students and those new to the field.
Focusing on the well-being of child protection professionals, this book presents a trauma-informed framework for support and supervision. It acknowledges the impact of vicarious trauma in this challenging field. This valuable resource for supervisors and managers, as well as professionals, to understand and implement trauma-informed practices in their work environment.
Critically examines policy and practice issues in child protection, incorporating theoretical orientations, research findings, and ethical considerations. It explores the experience of maltreatment, assessment methods, and interventions, including out-of-home care. This textbook is suitable for undergraduate and postgraduate students and professionals.
Examines the future of child protection and proposes ways to break the cycle of abuse and neglect. It likely delves into policy recommendations and innovative approaches in the field, making it relevant for those interested in contemporary issues and systemic change. This book would be valuable for graduate students and professionals.
Considered a classic in the field of developmental psychology, Erikson's work provides a foundational understanding of child development across the lifespan. While not exclusively about child protection, its insights into identity formation and the impact of social factors are highly relevant to understanding the needs of children in the child protection system. is valuable for students and professionals seeking a deeper theoretical grounding.
Takes a multidisciplinary approach to child maltreatment, presenting findings from various fields like psychiatry, psychology, and social work. It examines social factors, characteristics of abusive families, and treatment strategies. This book serves as a useful reference for professionals and researchers.
Delves into the political aspects of child protection, examining contemporary developments and future directions in the field. It's particularly relevant for graduate students and professionals interested in the broader societal and political forces that shape child protection policies and practices.
A crucial book for understanding preventative child protection education, this resource is aimed at teaching children about body safety, boundaries, and consent in an age-appropriate manner. While primarily for a younger audience and their caregivers/educators, understanding these foundational concepts is vital for anyone working in child protection. It provides valuable context for the importance of early intervention and education.

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