Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) in Children's Social Care

A Four-Module Safeguarding Leadership Development Programme

Live Online | 17–26 November 2026 | 12 Hours

Overview

The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) plays a critical role in promoting effective safeguarding practice, supporting professional decision-making and ensuring that concerns about children and young people are recognised, responded to and managed appropriately.

Within Children's Homes, Supported Accommodation and other children's social care settings, safeguarding leadership requires more than an understanding of policies and procedures. It demands professional judgement, confidence in managing complex situations, effective multi-agency working and the ability to provide appropriate oversight, challenge and support to staff.

This comprehensive four-module programme has been developed by Social Care Skills to strengthen the knowledge, skills and confidence of professionals undertaking, or preparing to undertake, Designated Safeguarding Lead responsibilities.

Combining regulatory and professional knowledge with practical exercises, realistic safeguarding scenarios and facilitated discussion, the programme explores safeguarding decision-making, referrals and thresholds, allegations management, and the leadership responsibilities associated with maintaining a strong safeguarding culture.

The programme is delivered by Miguel Valerio, an experienced social worker and children's social care leader, and Paul James, an experienced safeguarding professional and Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).

Participants will be encouraged to reflect critically on their own practice, apply learning to realistic situations and demonstrate their understanding through a practice-based assessment.

Programme Structure

Module 1 — The DSL Role and Safeguarding Decision-Making

Tuesday 17 November 2026 | 14:00–17:00

This opening module explores the responsibilities of the Designated Safeguarding Lead within children's social care organisations and the knowledge, judgement and professional confidence required to fulfil the role effectively.

Participants will examine safeguarding leadership responsibilities, recognising and responding to concerns, assessing information, managing uncertainty and ensuring that appropriate actions are taken and recorded.

Particular attention will be given to professional curiosity, safeguarding thresholds, defensible decision-making and the importance of maintaining effective oversight of safeguarding concerns.

The module will also explore how the DSL works with managers, staff and external professionals to promote consistent safeguarding practice.

Module 2 — Referrals, Thresholds and Multi-Agency Safeguarding

Monday 23 November 2026 | 10:00–13:00

This module focuses on the DSL's responsibilities in recognising when safeguarding concerns require external referral, understanding thresholds for intervention and working effectively with safeguarding partners.

Participants will explore the referral process, the importance of clear and relevant information-sharing, and how to contribute effectively to multi-agency safeguarding arrangements.

The session will consider professional disagreement, escalation, communication with statutory agencies and the importance of maintaining a child-centred approach throughout safeguarding processes.

Practical scenarios will support participants in developing confidence when making referrals, responding to professional challenge and contributing to safeguarding decision-making.

Module 3 — The DSL and the Allegations Process

Monday 23 November 2026 | 14:00–17:00

Managing allegations and concerns about adults working with children requires a clear understanding of safeguarding responsibilities, professional boundaries and appropriate referral and investigation processes.

This module explores the DSL's role in recognising, reporting and responding to allegations involving staff, volunteers and other adults in positions of trust.

Participants will examine the role of the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), relevant referral thresholds, organisational responsibilities and the importance of ensuring that safeguarding and employment processes are managed appropriately.

The module will also consider concerns that do not meet the allegations threshold, the importance of accurate recording, information-sharing, confidentiality and learning from allegations.

Practical case discussions will help participants understand how to respond appropriately while protecting children, maintaining procedural fairness and supporting organisational accountability.

Module 4 — Safeguarding Leadership, Oversight and Organisational Learning

Thursday 26 November 2026 | 10:00–13:00

The final module focuses on the wider leadership responsibilities of the DSL and the importance of maintaining effective safeguarding arrangements across the organisation.

Participants will explore how to monitor safeguarding practice, identify patterns and emerging risks, provide appropriate support and challenge to staff, and ensure that safeguarding concerns inform organisational learning and improvement.

The module will consider safeguarding audits, management oversight, staff supervision, training needs, professional accountability and the development of a positive safeguarding culture.

Particular attention will be given to how DSLs can move beyond responding to individual incidents towards identifying systemic issues, strengthening preventive practice and contributing to continuous improvement.

Participants will also reflect on their learning across the programme and consider how to apply it within their own professional roles.

Practical Learning and Assessment

The programme adopts an interactive, practice-focused approach, combining professional knowledge with realistic safeguarding scenarios, group discussion and reflective exercises.

Participants will be encouraged to apply their learning to situations relevant to Children's Homes, Supported Accommodation and other children's social care services.

To receive the Certificate of Completion, participants must:

• Attend at least 75% of the programme.

• Successfully complete the practice-based assessment.

• Demonstrate an appropriate understanding of the key safeguarding responsibilities explored throughout the programme.

The assessment is designed to evaluate participants' ability to apply safeguarding knowledge and professional judgement to practical situations.

The certificate recognises successful completion of the Social Care Skills development programme. It is not a regulated qualification or a substitute for an employer's assessment of an individual's suitability to undertake DSL responsibilities.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the programme, participants will be able to:

• Understand the role and responsibilities of the Designated Safeguarding Lead within children's social care.

• Apply professional judgement when recognising, assessing and responding to safeguarding concerns.

• Understand safeguarding referral processes, thresholds and multi-agency responsibilities.

• Communicate and share safeguarding information appropriately with relevant professionals and agencies.

• Recognise and respond appropriately to allegations and concerns involving adults working with children.

• Understand the role of the LADO and the responsibilities of organisations within the allegations process.

• Demonstrate effective safeguarding leadership, professional challenge and management oversight.

• Identify patterns, emerging risks and opportunities for organisational learning.

• Promote a safeguarding culture that supports professional accountability, reflection and continuous improvement.

Who Should Attend?

This programme is designed for professionals who currently undertake, or are preparing to undertake, Designated Safeguarding Lead responsibilities within children's social care organisations.

It is particularly relevant for Registered Managers, Registered Service Managers, Deputy Managers, Nominated Individuals, Responsible Individuals, safeguarding leads, senior practitioners and other professionals with designated safeguarding responsibilities.

The programme is suitable for professionals working in Children's Homes, Supported Accommodation and other children's social care settings.

Programme Facilitators

Paul James - Paul is a registered social worker with over 25 years of experience in safeguarding and children's services. He currently works as a Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) in South East England and is Co-Chair of a Regional LADO Network.

His professional experience includes safeguarding leadership, managing allegations, multi-agency working, safeguarding training and supporting organisations to strengthen their safeguarding arrangements. Paul brings extensive practical knowledge of safeguarding thresholds, allegations management and the responsibilities of professionals working with children.

Miguel Valerio - Miguel is a registered social worker with over 20 years of experience in social care, including extensive experience in the management, development and regulatory oversight of Children's Homes and Supported Accommodation services in England. His professional background includes Registered Service Manager, Operational Manager and Responsible Individual roles, alongside supporting providers with Ofsted registration, inspection preparation, safeguarding, quality assurance and service improvement.

Through Social Care Skills, Miguel supports organisations and professionals to strengthen safeguarding practice, develop effective leadership arrangements and improve outcomes for children and young people.

Programme Dates

Total Learning Time: 12 Hours

All modules are delivered live online.