For ProfessionalsDSLTools
Is Your School Safeguarding-Ready? The 20-Point DSL Compliance Checklist for 2024/25
A structured self-assessment against KCSIE 2024 and Working Together 2023 — identify gaps before Ofsted does.
Safeguarding Compliance Areas
How to Use This Checklist
Work through each item with your safeguarding team. Mark as ✓ Met, ⚠ Partial, or ✗ Action needed. Any gaps should be logged in your safeguarding action plan with a named lead and target date.
Section 1: Policies and Procedures (KCSIE 2024, Part 2)
1
Child Protection Policy reviewed and updated annually (or when statutory guidance changes), approved by governors, and available to all staff and parents on the school website.
2
Online Safety Policy covers pupil use of the internet at school and home, social media, staff conduct, and the use of personal devices on site.
3
Anti-Bullying Policy includes cyberbullying, reflects Equality Act 2010 protected characteristics, and is shared with pupils and parents.
4
Behaviour Policy includes reference to safeguarding concerns arising from pupil behaviour (e.g. sexualised behaviour, extreme aggression).
5
Safer Recruitment Policy reflects current DBS guidance; all staff (including volunteers and contractors with unsupervised access) have appropriate checks recorded.
Section 2: Training and Awareness
6
All staff have received safeguarding and child protection induction training and read Part 1 of KCSIE 2024. Annual refresher completed and recorded.
7
DSL and deputies have completed Level 3 safeguarding training within the last two years. Training provider and dates recorded.
8
Governing body has a named Safeguarding Governor who has completed appropriate training and met with the DSL within the last 12 months.
9
New staff and supply staff receive safeguarding briefing on their first day, including how to report a concern and the name of the DSL.
Section 3: Record-Keeping
10
Single Central Record (SCR) is up to date for all staff, governors, volunteers and regular contractors. Reviewed at least termly by the Headteacher.
11
Child Protection records are stored securely (separate from pupil files), follow the child when they transfer school, and are retained for the appropriate period.
12
Concern logs are recorded promptly (same day), factually, and without opinion. Staff know how to record and to whom to report.
Section 4: Culture and Leadership
13
Staff feel confident to report concerns without fear of being dismissed or criticised. A culture of "it could happen here" is embedded — not "it wouldn't happen here."
14
Pupils know how to report a concern about themselves or a friend. At least one non-DSL staff member pupils trust has been identified as a safe adult.
15
The DSL is visible, accessible and known to all staff, pupils and parents. Their name and photo are displayed around school.
Section 5: Referrals and Multi-Agency Working
16
DSL knows how to make a referral to the local MASH team, including the direct contact number and the threshold criteria for their local authority.
17
All referrals are followed up and the outcome documented. The DSL challenges decisions not to investigate where they disagree with the outcome.
18
The school attends relevant multi-agency meetings (Child Protection Conferences, Core Groups, TAF meetings) or provides written reports when unable to attend.
19
Prevent lead is identified and the school has a clear process for referring concerns about radicalisation to the CHANNEL programme via local police.
20
An annual safeguarding audit or review has been conducted and presented to governors within the last 12 months, including any actions taken.
Sources: DfE, Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024; HM Government, Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023; Ofsted, School Inspection Handbook 2024; DfE, Statutory Framework for Safeguarding and Child Protection 2024. Last reviewed: April 2026.