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
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