DSL AUTUMN TERM ACTION PLAN · Free template · The Safeguard Hub (safeguard-hub.org) · KCSIE 2026 aligned · Customise and review before use
DSL Autumn Term Action Plan
Academic Year 2026/27 (or: ________)
School: _________________________________ | DSL: _________________________________ | Completed: _____________
RAG key:
R: Not started or significant gap
A: In progress or partially complete
G: Complete
1. Policy & Documentation
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Action
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RAG
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Owner
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Target date / notes
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Review and update Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy (annual review)
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Present updated CP policy to governors for approval
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Publish CP policy on school website
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Update DSL and deputy DSL details on all key documents and website
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Review and update low-level concerns procedure
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Check safeguarding section of Single Central Record is current and accurate
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2. Training & Development
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Action
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RAG
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Owner
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Target date / notes
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Move to a single staff reading record for Part One of KCSIE 2026: Annex A has been withdrawn so every member of staff reads Part One in full. There is no condensed version for any group. Retire any two-tier or role-differentiated reading list before term starts.
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DSL
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First week of term
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Deliver whole-staff safeguarding induction / update (Part One of KCSIE 2026 must be read by all)
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Confirm DSL has completed updated DSL training (within last 2 years)
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Confirm deputy DSL(s) have completed appropriate training
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Confirm governor / trustee safeguarding training is current
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Schedule in-year safeguarding update session(s) for staff
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Ensure supply / temporary staff receive safeguarding induction before working with pupils
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3. Case Management & Pupil-Level Risks
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Action
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RAG
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Owner
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Target date / notes
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Review all open safeguarding cases. Ensure they are up to date and all actions complete.
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Review all pupils with CP plans and check review dates and social worker contacts.
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Review all CIN plans, check review schedules and school's involvement
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Identify and brief key staff on any vulnerable / high-risk pupils for the new year
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Ensure all LAC/PLAC pupils have a Personal Education Plan in place
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Review pupils in AP placements. Confirm dual DSL contacts and attendance reporting protocols.
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Check pupils with persistent absence and flag for county lines and exploitation risk assessment.
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4. Multi-Agency & External Contacts
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Action
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RAG
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Owner
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Target date / notes
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Confirm and update MASH / Children's Social Care contact details
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Confirm LADO contact details and referral process
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Confirm local Early Help Hub contact details
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Note that Working Together 2026 replaces early help with Family Help, combining targeted early help and section 17 support into one pathway; review referral pathway documentation, threshold guidance, and any letters or forms that reference "early help" to reflect this change
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Review Operation Encompass arrangements (DV notifications)
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Confirm link with Virtual School Head (for LAC/PLAC pupils)
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Update Prevent lead and Channel referral process if changed
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5. Online Safety & Environment
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Action
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RAG
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Owner
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Target date / notes
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Check filtering and monitoring system is operational and appropriately calibrated
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Confirm DSL is notified of filtering alerts in real time
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Review online safety curriculum. Check it covers current risks: deepfakes, AI, sextortion.
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Ensure mobile phone policy is in place and communicated to pupils and parents
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Carry out and document the mandatory annual review of the effectiveness of filtering and monitoring systems (governing body duty). This must be led by the senior leader responsible for filtering and monitoring, working with the DSL and IT support. Report the outcome to governors.
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6. Safer Recruitment & Site Safety
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Action
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RAG
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Owner
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Target date / notes
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Re-audit every volunteer against regulated activity from 1 September 2026, when the supervision exemption is removed. A volunteer who teaches, trains, instructs, cares for, or supervises children is in regulated activity regardless of supervision. Obtain enhanced DBS with children's barred list information for any volunteer now in scope. Start this immediately, as DBS turnaround is the constraint.
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DSL and HR
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Before term starts
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Confirm Single Central Record is complete for all staff, governors, and regular volunteers
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Confirm DBS checks are in date or enhanced checks are underway
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Confirm ID badges and visitor sign-in procedures are operational
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Review any safeguarding concerns from site/premises staff
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7. KCSIE 2026: New Requirements (in force 1 September 2026)
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Action
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RAG
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Owner
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Target date / notes
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Update CP policy and all internal documents: correct Annex letter references (old Annex A deleted; old B → new A; old C → new B)
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Update staff induction packs to reference KCSIE 2026 Annex B (Role of DSL, formerly Annex C)
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Update weapons-reporting protocol: staff report any weapon-related concern to the DSL, who must assess risk and put a safety and support plan in place (KCSIE 2026)
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Brief all staff that any concern about a child carrying, using, or threatening a weapon must be reported to the DSL immediately, for risk assessment and safety planning
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Update peer-on-peer abuse policy to include AI-generated intimate imagery (deepfakes) as a form of image-based sexual abuse
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Confirm CEOP referral pathway for AI-generated CSAM is documented and staff are aware of it
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Update online safety and peer-on-peer policies to reflect enhanced peer conflict de-escalation duty (contextual safeguarding approach)
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Issue KCSIE 2026 briefing note to governors / trustees confirming which policies have been updated and why
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Confirm mandatory annual filtering and monitoring effectiveness review is calendared and assigned to the senior leader responsible for filtering, DSL, and IT support, with outcome to be reported to governing body
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Review the school's approach to supporting pupils questioning their gender against KCSIE 2026 paragraphs 252 to 282; ensure all staff know that parental involvement is the default and that the DSL must be involved before any exception is applied; put in place a record-keeping approach for decisions in this area consistent with the school's existing safeguarding records
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8. DSL / Headteacher Sign-Off
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Sign-off
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Signature & date
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DSL reviewed this action plan
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Headteacher reviewed this action plan
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Governing body / SLT presentation date
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Statutory references: KCSIE 2026 (in force 1 September 2026) · Working Together 2026 · Children Act 1989/2004 · Education Act 2002 · Prevent Duty Guidance 2023
Free template from The Safeguard Hub (safeguard-hub.org). Customise for your school's context before adoption. This is general information and not legal advice. Where anything here differs from your local safeguarding children partnership procedures, follow your local procedures. Last reviewed July 2026.