Early Years PVI_ The role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) , inc: Safer Recruitment and Allegations 20.03.2026

Aims

Early Years PVI_ The role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) , inc: Safer Recruitment and Allegations

DSL Training: For early years managers and DSL’s in PVI group based settinngs.

To provide manages and / or their DSL's with a wide range of knowledge and skills to fulfil their statutory duties in safeguarding children. 

To facilitate a learning environment where managers and DSL’s have the opportunity to come together with their peers to refresh, reflect on and extend their safeguarding knowledge and practice.

To be introduced to practices which can support safer recruitment and allegation procedures, where safeguarding children is embedded throughout every stage of the process.

Important Notice on Course Bookings

Please Read Important Notice on Course Bookings

When you click 'BOOK' or 'BOOK STAFF MEMBERS', on the portal, your place on the course is only provisionally reserved as you have not yet made payment. Your booking will remain provisional until the payment process is completed.

Unpaid bookings which remain as a 'provisional status' may be removed after 5 days of booking to allow others to book and pay. Once removed you are not able to book again on that course. 

If you hold a valid credit note, you can use it when booking instead of making a payment. However, please contact ehsadmin@southwark.gov.uk to notify them you are using your credit for this course payment. 

For full instructions on securing your place, please refer to our guide and follow from step 10 onwards:

How to Book and Pay for Your Course (PDF)

Summary

• To build on their own and to support their colleagues in developing their existing knowledge in identifying children at risk of harm or maltreatment
• Review in detail the Southwark Threshold guidance to gain a better understanding of which level of referral is appropriate to either Family Early Help or MASH
• Identify the importance of supervisions, information sharing and professional discussions to support safeguarding children and families
• Reflect on what documents and records we keep and if they are sufficient for identifying stability, family history and functioning and parenting capacity.
• Safer recruitment from planning the adverts to obtaining the correct checks and references.
• Post recruitment activities, including induction, peer observation and supervision.
• The difference between an allegation and a complaint in the early years settings and the actions to be taken, including how to carry out the initial enquiries, the investigation and the employment, child protection and criminal processes that may need to be pursued.
• The roles of the different agencies when an allegation has been made, including that of the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), Ofsted, Health and the Police.
• What makes an organisation / setting safe and best practice to avoid allegations