Training

We know that being a DSL is one of the most rewarding roles in education. Yet being a DSL indisputably brings with it a heavy dose of responsibility and emotional labour. It can sometimes feel hard to sustain the pace, expectations and demands of the role, especially when its necessary confidentiality can lead DSLs to feel quite alone in their decision-making.

Knowing this, that’s why we created The Essential Safeguarding Leadership Programme, designed especially for DSLs, to give them all the professional as well as peer learning and support they need to flourish, and sustain their commitment in the role.

The DSLs who went through the programme last year described it as ‘invaluable’ and deeply supportive to their professional development and personal wellbeing.

What does the programme involve?

The programme will run from January – July 2026. We are deliberately starting in Term 2 of the academic year to allow for how busy DSLs are in Term 1. The programme includes:

✅Group online safeguarding and leadership learning with safeguarding specialists, including our associate social worker Gemma Ryder every month from January-July (Up to 90 minutes per monthly session, with all sessions recorded for later access and reference);

✅1:1 leadership coaching with a certified coach every month;

✅access to safeguarding supervision every half term; and

✅A dedicated online community.

The first group learning session begins on Wednesday 21 January 2026 at 1.30pm.

What’s the investment?

For more than twenty hours of dedicated specialist safeguarding and leadership support, the investment is just £1495 + VAT.

How do I sign up?

For any further details and to secure your space, contact Trudie McGuinness at trudie@safeguardingco.co.uk.

Full Day Safeguarding Course – Essential Training for Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) and Deputies

As a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), you are responsible for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children within your setting. Your role is pivotal in recognising and responding to signs of abuse, and in coordinating multi-agency efforts to protect children. This Safeguarding course has been specifically designed to provide DSLs and their deputies with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to fulfil this vital role effectively.

Course Highlights:

• Defining Safeguarding: Understand its vital importance in protecting children and young people.
• Your Responsibilities as a DSL: Clarify your role and address common concerns and barriers.
• Legislation & Guidance: Dive into the safeguarding laws and frameworks shaping your practices.
• Understanding Abuse: Learn the different types of abuse and how to recognise signs and symptoms.
• Taking Action: Master how to respond to suspicions or disclosures effectively.
• Effective Record Keeping: Develop skills to document cases and actions properly.
• Multi-Agency Collaboration: Learn how to share information and work with other professionals.
• Post-Referral Action: Understand what happens after a referral is made to ensure child safety.
• Protecting Yourself: Create professional boundaries to safeguard your own wellbeing.
• Real-Life Case Studies: Analyse scenarios to test and improve your understanding.

Why DSLs Need This Course:

• Responsibility for Safeguarding: As a DSL, you are responsible for coordinating safeguarding efforts and ensuring the safety of children. This course provides the knowledge to help you understand your legal obligations, roles, and responsibilities clearly.
• Recognising Abuse: You will deepen your understanding of different types of abuse (physical, emotional, sexual, neglect) and how to recognise their signs, so you can act swiftly to protect the children in your setting.
• Effective Action and Record Keeping: The course will equip you with practical strategies for responding to disclosures, taking action on suspicions, and keeping clear, accurate records, which is essential for safeguarding children and protecting yourself legally.
• Multi-Agency Collaboration: Safeguarding requires teamwork. Learn how to work effectively with other professionals and agencies, share information, and understand what happens after a referral to ensure a child’s safety.
• Protecting Yourself: This course helps you create professional boundaries to protect your own wellbeing in a challenging and sensitive role.
• Continuous Development: Safeguarding is a dynamic field. This course ensures you stay up to date with the latest practices, and gives you an opportunity to ask questions specific to your setting and location so that you can come away feeling supported and informed.

What’s Included:

• Certificate upon completion (valid for 2 years).
• Gain critical skills to protect children and ensure compliance with safeguarding standards.

This course is a must for all Designated Safeguarding Leads and their deputies who are ready to take their safeguarding knowledge to the next level. Join us today and ensure you’re prepared to safeguard children effectively and confidently.

Stay Up-to-Date with Our Safeguarding Refresher Course

Our comprehensive safeguarding course is valid for two years from the date of issue. After this period, you can choose to re-take the full course to refresh your knowledge, or opt for a refresher session.

The refresher is designed to:

• Recap the main principles of safeguarding
• Understand Current Safeguarding Legislation and Guidance: Consider the latest policies and legal frameworks that shape safeguarding practices. We will ensure you are brought up date, and will highlight any changes or new guidelines that have been brought in since your last training took place.
• Look at National Context: Explore the broader context of safeguarding, understanding the national landscape and the role of various agencies. This may have changed cine your last training, and we will look at both national and local trends and concerns to help you feel empowered in navigating the complex safeguarding landscape.

Whether you decide to complete the full course again or attend the refresher, we’ll ensure you remain confident and equipped to fulfil your safeguarding responsibilities effectively.

Essential Safeguarding Training for Professionals Working with Young People with SEND

If you work with young people or vulnerable adults with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), safeguarding is an essential part of your role. This tailored course is specifically designed for professionals who hold the responsibility of being the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) within settings that support SEND individuals.

Our interactive and in-depth training will provide you with the knowledge and confidence to respond to safeguarding situations, ensuring that you can support and protect those who are most vulnerable. The course covers:

• Your Responsibilities as a DSL: Clarify your role and address common concerns and barriers.
• Current safeguarding legislation and guidance relevant to safeguarding and SEND, including the PREVENT agenda.
• Defining Safeguarding: Understand its vital importance in protecting children and young people.
• Taking Action: Master how to respond to suspicions or disclosures effectively.
• An exploration of different types of abuse, how they can manifest in young people with SEND, and the specific vulnerabilities these individuals face.
• Best practices for recording and referring suspicions and disclosures, with a particular focus on how these may differ for SEND individuals.
• Multi-Agency Collaboration: Learn how to share information and work with other professionals.
• Post-Referral Action: Understand what happens after a referral is made to ensure child safety.
• Protecting Yourself: Create professional boundaries to safeguard your own wellbeing.
• Practical discussions around real-life safeguarding scenarios, allowing you to build confidence in responding appropriately to disclosures from students, staff, or colleagues.

Additionally, the course will be tailored to your local area, helping you understand which agencies can offer support should a safeguarding concern arise. We will also assess your progress at the end of the session to ensure you feel fully prepared to handle safeguarding responsibilities in your setting.

Sign up today to gain a deeper understanding of how to protect young people with SEND and fulfil your DSL role with confidence!

Multi-Agency Working for Safeguarding Professionals

Our Multi-Agency Working course is designed for safeguarding professionals who collaborate across various organisations to protect vulnerable individuals. This comprehensive course equips participants with the knowledge and skills needed to work effectively within multi-agency frameworks, ensuring the delivery of coordinated, high-quality safeguarding interventions.

Key topics include:
– The principles and benefits of multi-agency working in safeguarding
– Roles and responsibilities of different agencies, including working with local authorities and the police

-Effective communication and information sharing between agencies, and how it improves safeguarding outcomes
-Case study discussions to explore real-life scenarios and challenges in multi-agency working
-Practical tools and strategies for building and maintaining strong, collaborative relationships

This course provides an interactive learning environment, where professionals can share insights, discuss challenges, and learn from each other’s experiences. The focus is on ensuring that safeguarding teams work together seamlessly, delivering the best possible outcomes for those at risk, particularly through effective information sharing with key agencies like local authorities and the police.

Enhance your multi-agency collaboration skills and ensure a coordinated, holistic approach to safeguarding by enrolling in our Multi-Agency Working course today.

Early Help Assessment: What It Is and How to Complete It

Course Overview:
This course provides a clear and practical introduction to the Early Help Assessment (EHA) process, designed for professionals working with children, young people, and families. The Early Help Assessment is a vital tool in identifying emerging needs at the earliest opportunity and putting the right support in place to prevent concerns from escalating.

Course Objectives:
Participants will gain a thorough understanding of:

• What the Early Help Assessment is and its role in safeguarding and supporting children and families.
• The principles and purpose behind Early Help, including its place within the wider safeguarding framework.
• How to identify when an Early Help Assessment is appropriate.
• How to confidently and competently complete an Early Help Assessment, including gathering relevant information, engaging with families, and setting clear, achievable actions.
• Best practice for working collaboratively with other professionals and agencies as part of the Early Help process.

Who Should Attend:
This course is suitable for anyone working directly with children, young people, or families, including education staff, social care professionals, health workers, and voluntary sector organisations.

Additional Benefits:
Participants will have the opportunity to discuss real-life scenarios, explore case studies, and reflect on their current practice. By the end of the session, attendees will feel more confident in using the Early Help Assessment to make a positive difference in the lives of children and families.

Level 2 Safeguarding Training

This course is ideal for those staff who have a hand in daily safeguarding, but do not have the DSL responsibility, ensuring they are well-prepared to safeguard the welfare of students and comply with legal and professional obligations.

Course Description:
This Level 2 Safeguarding Training is designed for staff working in schools, colleges, and universities, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to assess, plan, and evaluate safeguarding interventions effectively. The course explores the national safeguarding context, including current themes, emerging issues, and recent changes in legislation and guidance relevant to the education sector.

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities, learning how to identify risks, respond appropriately to concerns, and work collaboratively to protect children, young people, and vulnerable adults. The training also emphasises the importance of evaluating interventions to improve safeguarding outcomes and maintain best practice.

Key Topics Covered:

• Safeguarding principles and responsibilities in education
• Identifying risks and recognising safeguarding concerns
• Planning effective interventions and working with multi-agency teams
• Evaluating safeguarding actions and improving practice
• Understanding the national safeguarding framework and key legislation
• Current safeguarding themes and emerging risks in education
• Recent updates in safeguarding policies, laws, and statutory guidance

Supporting Students – Understanding and Responding to Self-Harm

This essential training course equips professionals with the knowledge and confidence to support students who self-harm. Covering the reasons behind self-harming behaviours, risk factors, warning signs, and appropriate interventions, the session provides practical guidance on handling disclosures, reducing harm, and signposting students to further support. Participants will also explore the impact of self-harm on mental health and learn best practices for responding sensitively and effectively within their professional roles.

Learning Objectives:

• Define self-harm and understand its complexities.
• Identify key statistics, trends, and risk factors in young people.
• Recognise different types of self-harm and associated warning signs.
• Develop appropriate responses to disclosures and suspicions of self-harm.
• Understand harm reduction strategies and support mechanisms.
• Explore the links between self-harm, mental health conditions, and disordered eating.
• Learn how to maintain professional boundaries while offering compassionate support.
• Gain knowledge of safeguarding procedures and referral pathways.

Target Audience:

This course is designed for educators, pastoral staff, safeguarding leads, and other professionals working with young people in educational or community settings.

Course Features:

• Evidence-based insights into self-harming behaviours.
• Practical strategies for handling disclosures and managing incidents.
• Case studies and interactive discussions to enhance understanding.
• Exploration of self-harm misconceptions, stereotypes, and gender differences.
• Guidance on signposting students to professional mental health support.
• Resources for ongoing learning and institutional safeguarding policies.

InCel Awareness and Safeguarding for Educators

Course Description:
This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the InCel (Involuntary Celibate) subculture, its origins, and its evolution over time. With a noticeable rise in student interest in InCel ideology, it is essential for educators to be aware of the beliefs, online communities, and potential risks associated with this movement. Participants will explore the terminology used within InCel spaces, the links to radicalisation, and the related safeguarding responsibilities.

This course also provides dedicated time for discussion, recognising that many educators have questions about this sensitive subject but may not be sure where to ask them. We are here to help, offering a supportive space to explore concerns, share experiences, and develop confidence in addressing InCel-related issues in educational settings.

To ensure the training is as beneficial as possible, the session will be tailored to your specific setting, addressing the unique challenges and concerns faced by your school, college, or educational institution where appropriate.

Learning Objectives:

• Define the term “InCel” and understand its historical and cultural context.
• Identify the key beliefs and narratives within the InCel movement.
• Recognise the online platforms and terminology used by InCel communities.
• Assess the potential risks of radicalisation and the links between InCel ideology and extremist behaviours.
• Develop strategies for identifying and supporting students who may be engaging with InCel-related content.
• Understand safeguarding responsibilities and reporting procedures in your setting and to wider services.
• Provide a space for open discussion and guidance on handling difficult conversations.

Who is this course for?

This course is specifically designed for educators who are increasingly encountering students expressing interest in InCel ideology. It is ideal for teaching staff, pastoral staff and school leaders, who want to understand the risks associated with InCel radicalisation and how to address them effectively. We will ensure the session is tailored to your setting for maximum relevance and impact.

Essential Safeguarding Training for Professionals Working with Young People with SEND

If you work with young people or vulnerable adults with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), safeguarding is an essential part of your role. This tailored course is specifically designed for professionals who hold the responsibility of being the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) within settings that support SEND individuals.

Our interactive and in-depth training will provide you with the knowledge and confidence to respond to safeguarding situations, ensuring that you can support and protect those who are most vulnerable. The course covers:

• Your Responsibilities as a DSL: Clarify your role and address common concerns and barriers.
• Current safeguarding legislation and guidance relevant to safeguarding and SEND, including the PREVENT agenda.
• Defining Safeguarding: Understand its vital importance in protecting children and young people.
• Taking Action: Master how to respond to suspicions or disclosures effectively.
• An exploration of different types of abuse, how they can manifest in young people with SEND, and the specific vulnerabilities these individuals face.
• Best practices for recording and referring suspicions and disclosures, with a particular focus on how these may differ for SEND individuals.
• Multi-Agency Collaboration: Learn how to share information and work with other professionals.
• Post-Referral Action: Understand what happens after a referral is made to ensure child safety.
• Protecting Yourself: Create professional boundaries to safeguard your own wellbeing.
• Practical discussions around real-life safeguarding scenarios, allowing you to build confidence in responding appropriately to disclosures from students, staff, or colleagues.

Additionally, the course will be tailored to your local area, helping you understand which agencies can offer support should a safeguarding concern arise. We will also assess your progress at the end of the session to ensure you feel fully prepared to handle safeguarding responsibilities in your setting.

Sign up today to gain a deeper understanding of how to protect young people with SEND and fulfil your DSL role with confidence!

Back to School Safeguarding Refresher

Course Description:
This essential safeguarding refresher training is designed for all staff working in schools, colleges, and universities. As the new academic year begins, this session will reinforce key safeguarding responsibilities, update staff on changes to Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and provide insights into emerging safeguarding trends and challenges.

Through interactive discussions and case studies, participants will refresh their understanding of safeguarding principles, ensuring they are equipped to recognise, respond to, report, record, and refer safeguarding concerns effectively. The session will also highlight recent legislative updates, including new definitions, reporting requirements, and considerations for vulnerable students.

Key Topics Covered:

• Refresher on safeguarding responsibilities – reinforcing a whole-school approach
• Key updates from KCSIE and other guidance and legislation
• Current safeguarding trends – insights into national issues and trends
• Practical guidance for handling disclosures – recapping the do’s and don’ts in safeguarding conversations
• Promoting a safeguarding culture – ensuring a proactive and vigilant approach across the setting as the academic year begins

This refresher is essential for maintaining a high standard of safeguarding awareness and practice, ensuring staff are confident in their roles to protect children, young people, and vulnerable adults. This session is always incredibly popular in September, and we recommend booking early if to avoid disappointment!

Bespoke Staff Training in Bite-Sized Sessions

We know that schools and colleges are always looking to further the professional development of their staff. We also know that fitting this in can be tricky!

Because of this, we are pleased to be able to offer bespoke training programmes, consisting of three or six bite-sized sessions lasting up to 30 minutes each, which we will deliver over a series of weeks or months to suit your needs.

Our most popular sessions include:

• Low-level Concerns
• Inappropriate Sexualised Behaviour
• Domestic Abuse and the Impact on Children
• Sexual Abuse – Spotting the Signs
• Online Safety
• Bullying and Children’s Mental health

We are also very happy to deliver bite-size training on other topics at your request, tailoring each session to meet the specific needs of your organisation.

Flexible Delivery

Our sessions can be delivered remotely during staff meetings or training days, ensuring that your entire school team stays up to date with essential learning. This approach helps build confidence and keeps everyone feeling up-to-date and supported, without adding extra pressure outside of their usual working hours.

Understanding and Responding to Domestic Abuse

Course Description:
This essential safeguarding training is designed for all staff working in schools, colleges, and universities to enhance their understanding of domestic abuse and its impact on children and young people. With reference to Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2024 and the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, this course will equip you with the knowledge and skills to recognise, respond to, and support students affected by domestic abuse.

Your team will explore the various forms of domestic abuse, including physical, emotional, sexual, economic, and coercive control, as well as the long-term effects on children who witness or experience abuse in their homes or relationships. The session will also provide practical guidance on handling disclosures, making referrals, and signposting victims to support services.

Key Topics Covered:

• Understanding domestic abuse – definitions, myths, and realities
• Legislation and guidance – including the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and KCSIE 2024 updates
• The impact on children and young people – emotional, behavioural, and educational effects
• Recognising indicators of abuse – identifying signs in students’ behaviour and well-being
• Responding to disclosures – best practice in listening, recording, and reporting concerns
• Referral pathways and support – working with safeguarding leads and external agencies
• Promoting a safeguarding culture – creating a safe and supportive environment for students

This training is crucial for ensuring that all education staff are equipped to safeguard and support students affected by domestic abuse, fostering a culture of awareness, intervention, and protection.