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Child Development & Early Education vocabulary · Working with Families and Safeguarding

Designated safeguarding lead

Meaning in child development & early education, with examples

nounCommon term

In child development & early education, designated safeguarding lead means: The trained member of staff who leads on safeguarding in a school or setting, receives staff concerns and decides when to contact children's social care.

In Turkish: çocuk koruma sorumlusu, koruma sorumlusu

How it is used

A UK role, shortened to DSL; early years guidance also speaks of a lead practitioner for safeguarding. Every member of staff is expected to know who the DSL is and to pass concerns to them promptly.

Example sentences

  1. Our designated safeguarding lead is the nursery manager, and her deputy is Tom.

  2. I passed the concern to the designated safeguarding lead before the end of the day.

Common collocations

  • designated safeguarding lead (DSL)
  • deputy DSL
  • report to the DSL
  • safeguarding lead
  • safeguardingEverything an organisation does to protect children from harm, abuse and neglect and to promote their health, safety and well-being.
  • child protectionThe procedures and actions taken to protect a particular child who is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm from abuse or neglect.
  • disclosureThe moment when a child tells an adult, directly or indirectly, that they have been harmed or are at risk of harm.
  • neglectA form of abuse in which a child's basic needs, such as food, clothing, hygiene, safety, health care or affection, are not met over a period of time.

More terms: Working with Families and Safeguarding

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