Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

About Course

The IIFAL Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Course provides the essential knowledge, skills, and confidence required to take on the safeguarding lead role within any organisation working with children, young people, or vulnerable adults. This comprehensive training explores the full safeguarding landscape, from understanding legislative duties to recognising signs of abuse, responding to disclosures, and managing referrals.

Learners are guided through real-world scenarios, case studies, and practical activities that reflect the challenges faced by safeguarding professionals today. The course covers both child safeguarding and adult safeguarding, ensuring learners understand their responsibilities across multiple settings, including education, health, social care, early years, community work, voluntary organisations, and residential or clinical environments.

By the end of the programme, learners will be equipped to act as a competent DSL or deputy DSL—confident in their ability to identify risk, make informed decisions, and take effective action to protect individuals from harm. With flexible online delivery and self-paced study, the course is suitable for both new safeguarding leads and experienced practitioners seeking to refresh or update their knowledge in line with current best practice.

Course Content

Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults: Foundations & Professional Responsibilities
SummaryThis module provides a comprehensive introduction to safeguarding adults and the essential responsibilities of professionals working with individuals who may be at risk of harm. Learners will explore the foundations of adult protection, including key legislation, types of abuse, organisational roles, and the responsibilities of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). The lessons guide learners through effective communication techniques, safe information sharing, and how to respond appropriately when concerns or disclosures arise. By the end of this module, learners will be equipped with the knowledge and confidence needed to recognise risks, record concerns accurately, and follow correct procedures to ensure adults receive timely and effective safeguarding support.

Introduction to Safeguarding Adults
Activity: Knowledge Check
Safeguarding Legislation
Activity: Knowledge Check
Understanding Abuse & Neglect
11:31
Activity: Understanding Abuse & Neglect
Policies, Roles & Responsibilities
Communication in Care.
Information Sharing & Responding to Concerns
Reporting Safeguarding Concerns
01:26

Safeguarding Children: Principles, Risks & Protection
Module 2 provides a comprehensive understanding of safeguarding children, including key laws, principles, and statutory responsibilities. Learners will explore the different types of abuse, including CSE, and how to recognise potential risks and indicators. The module also covers how to respond to a child’s disclosure appropriately, complete risk assessments, and record safeguarding information accurately. Finally, learners will understand how to report concerns, make referrals to children’s social care, and what happens after a referral is submitted.

Assessments:
Complete these assessments to review key safeguarding concepts, practice your skills, and prepare for the final certification quiz.

Add this certificate to your resume to demonstrate your skills & increase your chances of getting noticed.

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Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

About Course