Designated Safeguarding Lead Training: Requirements and Refreshers

Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2026, the statutory guidance in force in England from 1 September 2026, says the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and any deputies should undergo training to give them the knowledge and skills the role needs, and that this training should be updated at least every two years. They should also take Prevent awareness training. In addition, DSLs should refresh their knowledge and skills at regular intervals, and at least annually, through things like e-bulletins, meeting other DSLs, or reading about safeguarding developments. This guide covers England only.

What the guidance says, in short

The DSL's role is set out in Part two of KCSIE (paragraphs 127 to 131) and in Annex B, "Role of the designated safeguarding lead". The training section of Annex B is headed "Training, knowledge and skills". It uses the word "should", which the guidance explains means the advice should be followed unless there is good reason not to. KCSIE is statutory guidance, which means schools and colleges in England must have regard to it. This post focuses on the DSL; for what the rest of your staff need, see our guide to annual safeguarding training for school staff.

Who the DSL should be

According to KCSIE 2026, governing bodies and proprietors should ensure an appropriate senior member of staff from the school or college leadership team is appointed as DSL. The guidance says it is not appropriate for the proprietor to be the DSL. The DSL takes lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection, including online safety and understanding the filtering and monitoring systems in place, and this should be explicit in their job description.

The postholder should have the appropriate status, authority, skills and experience, and should be given the additional time, funding, training, resources and support the role needs. Schools decide whether to appoint deputies. Any deputy should be trained to the same standard as the DSL, and their role should be explicit in their job description. Activities can be delegated to trained deputies, but the guidance says the ultimate lead responsibility remains with the DSL and should not be delegated.

DSL training requirements at a glance

Refresher training and how often

Annex B states directly that the DSL's training "should be updated at least every two years". It does not say what format the update must take, how many hours it should last, or which provider to use. Those choices are left to the school or college.

The guidance separates this from a second expectation. In addition to the formal training, the DSL's knowledge and skills should be refreshed at regular intervals, as required, and at least annually, and the guidance suggests this might be through e-bulletins, meeting other designated safeguarding leads, or simply taking time to read and digest safeguarding developments. So there are two layers: formal training updated at least every two years, and ongoing refreshing at least annually.

NSPCC Learning, which runs DSL courses for England, recommends that DSLs refresh their training at least every two years. This is a recommendation from a training provider, and it is consistent with the interval in KCSIE. NSPCC Learning offers both a new-to-role course and a refresher course.

What the training should cover

Annex B says training should give the DSL and deputies a good understanding of their own role, how to identify, understand and respond to specific needs that can increase the vulnerability of children, specific harms that can put children at risk, and the processes and responsibilities of other agencies, particularly local authority children's social care. The guidance then lists areas the DSL should understand or be able to do, including:

• the assessment process for providing family help and statutory intervention, including local criteria for action and referral arrangements;
• a working knowledge of child protection case conferences and review conferences, and how to contribute to them;
• the lasting impact of adversity and trauma on children's behaviour, mental health and wellbeing;
• the needs of children in need, those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), those with relevant health conditions and young carers;
• information sharing within the school and with safeguarding partners and other agencies;
• the Prevent duty and how to advise staff on protecting children from radicalisation;
• online safety risks, including the additional risks facing children with SEND; and
• encouraging a culture of listening to children and taking account of their wishes and feelings.

What else the DSL role involves

Training makes sense in the context of the job. Annex B describes the DSL as expected to manage referrals (to local authority children's social care, the Channel programme, the Disclosure and Barring Service and the police, as required), work with others, keep child protection files up to date and secure, and raise awareness among staff. For example, the DSL should ensure the child protection policy is reviewed annually as a minimum. When a child leaves, the DSL should ensure their child protection file is transferred as soon as possible, and within 5 days for an in-year transfer or within the first 5 days of the start of a new term.

Availability is also covered. During term time the DSL or a deputy should always be available during school or college hours for staff to discuss safeguarding concerns, and the school should arrange adequate cover for out-of-hours and out-of-term activities.

What changed in KCSIE 2026?

The 2026 edition summary of changes says Annex B (previously Annex C in KCSIE 2025) was updated to add expectations around DSL cover arrangements when the DSL is unavailable, further information on information sharing, and updates on child criminal and sexual exploitation indicators and Operation Encompass duties. Annex B now sits where Annex C used to, so older training notes may refer to the wrong annex letter.

Frequently asked questions

How often should a DSL do refresher training?

KCSIE 2026 says DSL training should be updated at least every two years, with knowledge and skills refreshed at least annually in addition.

Do deputy DSLs need the same training?

Yes. Any deputy should be trained to the same standard as the DSL.

Does the DSL need Prevent training?

KCSIE says the DSL and any deputies should also undertake Prevent awareness training.

Is there a set course or number of hours?

The guidance in Annex B does not specify a course, provider or duration. It describes what the training should achieve.

Is the two-year NSPCC figure a legal requirement?

NSPCC Learning recommends a two-year refresh, but the two-year interval in KCSIE comes from the DfE's statutory guidance, which schools must have regard to and should follow unless there is good reason not to.

Keeping your safeguarding knowledge current

If you are a DSL or deputy, put your two-year training date and your annual refresh in the diary, and record both. The Learnsignal CPD hub is a place to look for wider professional development.

This article gives general information only and is not legal, regulatory or safeguarding compliance advice. Always read the current edition of Keeping Children Safe in Education on GOV.UK and follow your local safeguarding partners' guidance.