New to Role Early Years DSL Training

What you'll take away

By the end of the course, delegates will be able to:

• Understand their role and main responsibilities as an Early Years Designated Safeguarding Lead (EYDSL).

• Develop knowledge of national legislation and guidance that informs safeguarding practice in early years settings.

• Understand how EYDSLs work with other practitioners, external professionals and organisations to safeguard children, including statutory children's services agencies, and the local safeguarding children partnership.

• Refer and escalate child protection concerns and allegations of abuse against staff in line with Kent's specific safeguarding children’s procedures.

• Understand expectations for recording concerns and appropriate information sharing.

• Recognise online/internet safeguarding risks and the responsibilities of early years settings.

• Develop a safer organisational culture by raising staff awareness and supporting effective safeguarding policies and procedures.

Delivery and important information

The course is delivered by a LADO Education Safeguarding Advisor (qualified and experienced Social Worker) and Safeguarding Support Officer (education safeguarding experienced professional) from the LADO Education Safeguarding Advisory Service (LESAS). Training is interactive and uses scenarios and discussion to support delegates in applying learning to practice.

This course is intended for staff who are entirely new to the DSL role within an early years setting, early years DSLs who are new to Kent or whose DSL training has expired. Existing EYDSLs who require refresher training should access the LESAS EYDSL Refresher training. Staff working in settings outside of Kent may access this course but will need to undertake independent research to understand local safeguarding procedures applicable to their area to ensure compliance.

Delegates are required to have completed basic staff child protection training prior to attending and ensure they are familiar with section 3 of the EYFS and the KSCMP Support Level Guidance. 

Attendance requirements

This session will run as an interactive virtual session over two mornings (09:30-13:00). These sessions are not recorded.

Delegates must:

• Join on time and attend both sessions in full.

• Have access to a working camera and microphone.

• Participate actively in a suitable learning environment.

Certificates of attendance may be withheld where attendance or participation requirements are not met.

What delegates say about LESAS training:

In 2025-26, 97% of EYDSL delegates reported being extremely or very satisfied with our training quality and delivery, as well as achievement of course learning outcomes.

“Very informative setting and highly engaging, feel like I learnt a lot.”

“It was great to have leaders be so inclusive and knowledgeable about early years. It’s the first time in a long time I have felt that our year group was being valued.”

 “Thank you for the training, DSL is such a BIG responsibility to take on, and the training has given me the tools to do it well.”