Training Information

Safeguarding training for schools and educational settings -

Mandatory DSL training:

As per the DfE's statutory guidance Keeping children safe in education, the designated and deputy designated safeguarding leads (DSLs and DDSLs) should undergo training to provide them with the knowledge and skills required to carry out the role and this training should be updated at least every two years.

In Spring Term 2026 -

The following training courses are available for DSLs and DDSLs in schools and educational settings in Southwark:

- initial two-day induction training
- one- and/or half-day refresher training - to comply with two yearly update requirement

Training is delivered by John Guest and Catherine Rushforth with input from the Safeguarding in Schools team. Training is normally arranged through your school's/setting's designated safeguarding lead.

DSL/DDSL training is to be booked online by invitation only following a discussion with the LA's Schools Safeguarding Coordinator Apo Çağırıcı about the training needs of and the appropriate courses for DSLs and DDSLs. To cover the costs of arranging training with our experienced trainers, a nominal fee will be applied to safeguarding training courses:

- Two-day induction courses: £100 for LA maintained schools; £150 for non-maintained schools
- One-day refresher courses: £75 for LA maintained schools; £100 for non-maintained schools
- Half-day update courses: £50 for LA maintained schools; £80 for non-maintained schools

For any further information/discussion, please contact the Schools Safeguarding Coordinator Apo Çağırıcı (apo.cagirici@southwark.gov.uk , 020 7525 2715).

From Summer Term 2026 -

The DSL/DDSL training will be delivered in-house by the Safeguarding in Schools team, with input from other Southwark teams and services, to ensure the training is bespoke to the needs of Southwark settings and to strengthen partnership working between schools and the Local Authority.

Induction training:

For those new to the role / Southwark
2 day face-to-face at Tooley street
£100 for LA maintained; £150 for non-maintained school
Available 3 times per year (once per term)

Refresher training:

1 day face-to-face at Tooley street
£75 for LA maintained; £100 for nonmaintained
school
Available 5 times per year

Don't want to travel?

Induction or Refresher training can also be delivered in a school setting, for your safeguarding team or a group of colleagues from across different schools - AVAILABLE FROM FEBRUARY 2026.

(Prices dependent on group size and duration).

Bespoke training delivered by the Safeguarding in Schools Lead:

These sessions can be delivered in school (or online) during INSET days / staff development sessions.

Sessions can be tailored to the needs of your setting. Topics include:

Best Practice Working with Social Care, including understadning thresholds; processes; making referrals and more.
Understading and responding to Neglect, including using Southwark's Neglect Toolkit
Contextual safeguarding / Extra Familial harm (for secondary schools) –
Extra-familial harm refers to abuse / risk that occurs outside of the home, including online, perpetrated by those beyond the family network – such as exploitation, violence, county lines, going missing. Contextual Safeguarding is an approach to understanding and responding to these risks, taking into account the different relationships and contexts that feature in a young persons life.
This training explores:
- What Extra Familial Harm is and how it affects young people
- Identifying risk factors, vulnerabilities, pull factors and indicators of harm
- The impact of bias, barriers, and language
- The role of school / education
- Tools to impliment effective Contextual Safeguarding

To support the sustainability of the Safeguarding in Schools Team, these training sessions are charged at the following rate, which includes planning consultation(s) to discuss the training needs of your staff cohort, bespoke content design, plus any follow up:

£150 for 45 minutes session (minimum)
£250 for 1.5 hours
+ £75 for each additional hour

To arrange a session or find out more, contact Emma Geiringer (Safeguarding in Schools Lead): emma.geiringer@southwark.gov.uk

Safeguarding in Schools free webinar series:

Webinar sessions are delivered every term free of charge, each focusing on a different safeguarding topic, providing opportunities to learn more about issues relevant to Southwark schools.

The recordings of all sessions in the series are available to view here.

To provide feedback or suggestions for future sessions, please click here.

Additional safeguarding training available to schools from Southwark -

Private Fostering –
The goal of this session is to enhance the awareness and understanding of Private Fostering among school personnel. By providing insights into the complexities of private fostering arrangements, participants will be better equipped to identify potential cases, offer appropriate support, and contribute to the overall safety and welfare of children within our school community. The session is engaging, informative and can be tailored to the unique needs of your school environment. It covers:

- Definition and Legal Framework: Understanding the legal context and definitions of Private Fostering to ensure compliance and adherence to regulations.
- Identifying Private Fostering Arrangements: Equip staff with the ability to recognise signs of private fostering and differentiate it from other family situations.
- Safeguarding Procedures: Outline and practice the necessary safeguarding procedures when dealing with private fostering cases, ensuring the protection of children involved.
- Communication and Collaboration: Highlight the importance of effective communication between school staff, parents, and relevant authorities in managing private fostering situations.

To arrange a session or find out more, contact Joab.Keatley-Whyte@southwark.gov.uk

Southwark Stands Together Against Racism (SSTAR) for DSLs -
These bespoke, reflective sessions create space for safeguarding leads to embed anti-racist principles by critically examining practice, challenging bias, and developing strategies that foster equity and inclusion in everyday decision-making - aligning with Children’s Services’ commitment to achieving anti-racist status. The sessions can include:

- Understanding SSTAR: Who we are, our purpose, and our plan moving forward.
- Everyday Racism: Identifying and challenging subtle, normalised behaviours and language that perpetuate harm.
- Systemic and Institutional Racism: Exploring how structural inequalities shape policies, decisions, and outcomes.
- Impact on Racialised Children: Reflecting on how racism adds weight to the lived experiences of children and families, influencing wellbeing and trust-including the concept of Adultification.
- Data and Disproportionality: Examining evidence that demonstrates disproportionate outcomes for racialised children and families, and considering strategies for change.
- Social GGRRAAACCEEES: Considering how multiple social factors—such as race, class, gender, ability, and culture—shape identity and safeguarding responses.
- Intersectionality: Understanding how overlapping identities and systems of oppression compound disadvantage and risk for children and families.

To arrange a session or find out more, contact Joy.Jarrett@southwark.gov.uk and Mark.Crick@southwark.gov.uk

To enquire about other possible training opportunities, please contact the Safeguarding in Schools Team:

Apo Çağırıcı (Schools Safeguarding Coordinator) apo.cagirici@southwark.gov.uk, 020 7525 2715
Emma Geiringer (Safeguarding in Schools Lead) emma.geiringer@southwark.gov.uk, 07860 354934

Safeguarding training for school governors:

For any safeguarding training for governors, including bespoke safeguarding training for governors that is delivered in your school/setting, contact LA's Governor Services Co-ordinator Selina McClure (Selina.McClure@southwark.gov.uk, 020 7525 1205, 07523 403645)

Southwark Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP) courses:

SSCP offers multi agency safeguarding courses on different safeguarding topics. These courses also provide a good opportunity to meet and share experiences with professonals from other partner agencies such as Children's Social Care, Health, Police, etc. These courses can be accessed and places can be booked on Southwark's training website My Learning Source via Southwark Safeguarding Children Partnership Courses

Southwark's safer recruitment training for school staff and governors:

For further information: Southwark's safer recruitment training

Adolescent Sure Start Community Early Help Assessment Tool Training:

2.5hr training sessions available free of charge to all school settings to develop the tools needed to utilise the community assessment tool - a simple and quick exercise to explore all aspects of a family needs and/or young person’s life, and consider what support is required. The session also explores safety planning, mapping and other useful resources.

To book a session, please contact adolescentsurestartteam@southwark.gov.uk to arrange a time and date.

External training:

NSPCC's safer recruitment in education training: NSPCC's safer recruitment in education training

Prevent training and support for Designated Safeguarding Leads: Further information is available here.

Training, resources and guidance around preventing radicalisation and extremism: Educate against hate

Training, resources and guidance around FGM: FORWARD ; Iranian and Kurdish Women's Rights Organisation

Afruca Specialist Training Programme for Professionals working with Black and Ethnic children and families.