What Safeguarding level do I need?
Safeguarding training is a requirement for many jobs, especially those who work directly with children and vulnerable adults. Your job role and your level of interaction with children and vulnerable adults will determine what level of safeguarding training you need.
​
It is always best to ask your manager or your local authority safeguarding partnership which level of safeguarding training you need as is can differ from role to role and sector to sector, however, we’ve put together a short guide to help clear up any confusion.
Before we start, I want to point out that you may hear “safeguarding level one, two and three” being spoken about, these are the previous names of the Safeguarding courses and I will describe what they refer to below.
Introduction to Safeguarding
​
Introduction to Safeguarding, previously known as Level One. As the name suggests, this course covers the very basics of Safeguarding including how to recognise signs of abuse, reporting and recording potential safeguarding concerns. Job roles which need Introduction to Safeguarding Training are:
​
-
Bus drivers
-
Paramedics
-
Sports coaches
-
Volunteers
-
Youth workers
​
It is worth mentioning that there isn’t a clearly defined lined dividing who needs previous Level One and Level Two training, it depends entirely on the level of interaction with children and vulnerable adults you are having in your role. For example, Sports coaches are mentioned above, however, if this coach has periods of time alone with children then it is important that they have more advanced safeguarding training. For this reason and with the potential for job roles to change, we have taken the decision not to provide an Introduction to Safeguarding training course, but to combine previous Levels One and Two together to make sure you have the necessary level of training.
Advanced Safeguarding​
​
Advanced Safeguarding, previously Level Two. In our catalogue we have called with one Basic Safeguarding and Safeguarding Awareness in comparison to the much more detailed training provided in our Designated Safeguarding Lead training course. This course is designed for job roles with more frequent contact with children and vulnerable adults; the course covers all aspects in the Introduction to Safeguarding course but goes in to further details about safeguarding procedures, the referral process, previous cases and scenarios. Jobs requiring Safeguarding Awareness training are:
​
-
Teachers
-
Childcare staff
-
Health workers
-
Youth club workers
-
Sports club workers
-
Church staff
-
Police
​
If you have any queries on Safeguarding visit our Safeguarding FAQ article.
Need Safeguarding Awareness or DSL Training?
We have both Safeguarding Awareness and Designated Safeguarding Lead Courses in our catalogue available in Live Virtual format and our 100% Flexible AnyTime Courses.
Designated Safeguarding​ Lead
​
Designated Safeguarding Lead/Officer, previously Level Three. This training is needed by select members of staff in an organisation, they are, as the name suggests, the lead on safeguarding matters for that organisation. The duties of a DSL include:
​
-
Holding the relevant certificate and refreshing training when necessary
-
Ensure your organisation has a satisfactory safeguarding policy which all staff members are aware of and familiar with
-
Review and update the policy at least annually
-
Refer safeguarding cases to higher levels in necessary
-
Be familiar with your local authority's safeguarding procedures
-
Keep detailed records
-
Introduce/review appropriate safeguarding responses to pupil absences
​
For a more thorough breakdown of the role of a DSL, read this article.
​
Jobs requiring DSL training are generally managerial roles or specific child protection roles within organisations in sectors ranging from schools, nurseries, religious institutes, sports clubs, healthcare, universities etc. Generally, you will be aware if you require DSL training as the safeguarding role will be a significant part of your daily role and laid out in the job description.
​
If you are still unsure about the level of training you need, please feel free to get in touch or ask your managers or local safeguarding partnership.