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KCSIE 2025 Parts 2, 3 & Annex B

DSL Autumn Term Action Plan Template (KCSIE 2025)

The most critical period in the DSL calendar — make sure nothing gets missed.

The start of each academic year is the most critical period in the DSL calendar. KCSIE 2025 requires schools to update their safeguarding policy, refresh staff training, review the single central record, and ensure all new staff have received induction. An autumn term action plan keeps the DSL on track and provides a documented audit trail for Ofsted. This page provides a free template and a premium AI-generated version customised for your school.

What should a DSL autumn term action plan cover?

Statutory basis: KCSIE 2025 Parts 2, 3 and Annex B

{[ ["Policy review and governor sign-off","Must happen before 1 September each year — the governing body must approve the updated policy"], ["Staff induction safeguarding training","All new staff must receive induction training before or on the first day. All existing staff need annual updates"], ["Single Central Record review and update","Every appointment, check, and date must be verified and current — Ofsted will request it"], ["DSL and deputy DSL training currency check","DSL training must be refreshed every two years. Has it lapsed?"], ["Safer recruitment checks for new staff","All checks completed and documented before the member of staff begins work"], ["Filter and monitoring system review","A new requirement under KCSIE 2025 — the system must be checked and appropriate for the school context"], ["Link governor safeguarding visit","Planned and diarised for the autumn term"], ["MASH contact details update","Verify local MASH and children's services contact details are current"] ].map(([title, sub]) => `
✓ ${title}
${sub}
`).join('')}

Why Ofsted cares about your action plan

Inspectors ask to see evidence of DSL activity, not just policy documents. A completed action plan is direct evidence.

A dated, completed action plan demonstrates systematic rather than reactive safeguarding — which is what KCSIE 2025 requires.

Particularly important when inspected in the autumn term — inspectors will check whether September requirements have been met.

Gaps or missing dates in an action plan will prompt further questions about whether the school has a systematic approach to safeguarding.

Free template vs DSL Operations Pack

Feature Free Template DSL Pack (£12.99)
School name and DSL pre-filled
RAG status column for each action
KCSIE 2025 paragraph reference per action
Evidence notes column
Completion checkboxes
Includes Concern Log and Safer Recruitment Checklist✓ (3 documents)

Get the premium DSL action plan — customised for your school

RAG status tables, KCSIE 2025 references, and evidence columns — all pre-filled for your school. Part of the DSL Operations Pack — £12.99 for 3 documents.

Get DSL Operations Pack — £12.99 →

Or get all 5 documents in the Complete Policy Suite for £19.99

Further reading

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