Advanced Certificate in Safeguarding for Safeguarding Leads (2021-22)

Course Duration: 250 minutes (approx.)

Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) should undergo training to provide them with the knowledge and skills required to carry out their role and to understand the processes, procedures and responsibilities of other agencies. Training should be updated every 2 years however DSLs and deputy DSLs should also update their knowledge and skills at regular intervals, but at least annually.

This Essential CPD course provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to understand your statutory safeguarding requirements as a DSL or deputy DSL.

Split into bite-sized modules, the training has been designed to provide maximum learning potential in the leanest, most cost-effective and most time-efficient manner. It has been produced in high-quality remote video CPD format which is accessible on any device, any time, anywhere. 

Developed by Lorna Ponambalum, safeguarding expert and senior leadership education professional, the course is split into nine modules and encourages audience interaction to support and embed learning. There is a knowledge assessment at the end to help you evidence course completion.

Designed in line with the following policies

• Keeping Children Safe in Education
• Working Together to Safeguard Children
• The Children Act 1989 and 2004
• The Education Act 2011
• The Childcare Act 2006
• The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015
• Ofsted Education Inspection Framework
• Every Child Matters

Learning Outcomes

• Understanding the role and responsibilities of the designated safeguarding lead and key safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance and Ofsted requirements.
• Recognising the need for safeguarding training, defining what safeguarding and child protection are and understanding the DSL’s duty of care.
• Identifying and responding to different categories of harm and abuse, managing disclosures and the role of contextual safeguarding.
• Understanding the safeguarding structure, how to respond to safeguarding concerns and recognising the seven golden rules of sharing information.
• Recognising how to record safeguarding concerns and managing allegations against staff.

Modules

Module 1: Introduction to safeguarding

In module 1 you will understand why safeguarding training is important, define the difference between safeguarding and child protection, discuss who is responsible for safeguarding and explore the duty of care on schools.

Module 2: Safeguarding legislation and guidance

In module 2 you will learn about the key legislation and guidance that underpins safeguarding in schools, including Keeping children safe in education. You will also cover the single assessment process, low level, emerging and complex needs, child protection concerns and Ofsted’s review into sexual abuse in schools.

Module 3: The role and responsibility of the designated safeguarding lead

Module 3 will discuss what you must be aware of and understand in your role as the designated safeguarding lead. It will define your role and expectations as a DSL, your responsibilities as defined by Keeping children safe in education, safeguarding in response to COVID-19, safer recruitment procedures and DBS checks.

Module 4: Recognising and responding to abuse

Module 4 will provide you with an in-depth look at recognising and responding to different types of abuse. It will explore the four main categories of abuse, as well as domestic abuse, FGM, CSE and grooming. It will also cover the Prevent duty and mental health and adverse childhood experiences.

Module 5: Dealing with disclosures

In module 5 you will learn how to respond to a disclosure. You will understand what not to do, what the key messages are that children need to hear and explore some of the main reasons why adults often don’t take action.

Module 6: Responding to safeguarding concerns

Module 6 will cover how you should respond to safeguarding concerns. It will explore best practice around the sharing of information, delve deeper into the safeguarding structure and the multi-agency assessment and discuss the importance of Serious Case Reviews.

Module 7: Understanding the referral process

In module 7 you will learn about making referrals and contacting social care. You will understand what to include in a referral, when and how to follow up a referral, understand when and why social care do and don’t action and what to do if you don’t agree with a decision.

Module 8: Recording safeguarding concerns

Module 8 will discuss what to record in respect of safeguarding concerns, provide a number of record-keeping tips and explain how you can review your child protection record’s retention
and storage policy.

Module 9: Management of allegations against staff

In module 9 you will understand what constitutes an allegation against a member of staff, recognise what to do when an allegation is received and understand how internal investigations should be carried out. You’ll also cover how to manage an allegation against a supply teacher.