As the summer holidays draw to a close, DSLs across the country are preparing for one of the busiest periods of the school year. Whilst getting new starters ready is crucial (which we covered in our new starter guide), there's a much broader picture to consider for September success.
The first month back sets the tone for your safeguarding culture for the academic year. Here's your comprehensive roadmap to ensure your school is truly ready for the challenges ahead.
Week 1: Foundation Setting - The All-Staff Safeguarding Reset
Priority Action: Whole-Staff Safeguarding Meeting
Before the children return, gather your entire team for a comprehensive safeguarding refresh. This isn't just about policies and procedures – it's about reconnecting with your shared mission to protect every child in your care.
Your meeting agenda could include:
- Reviewing any policy updates from the summer
- Highlighting key safeguarding priorities for the new academic year
- Refreshing everyone's understanding of reporting procedures
- Discussing any lessons learned from the previous year
- Introducing new staff to the safeguarding team and culture
Pro tip: Use real (anonymised) scenarios from your previous year to make the discussion practical and relevant. This helps staff understand how policies translate into real-world action.
Week 2: Launch Your Safeguarding Awareness Campaign
Priority Action: Visibility and Reinforcement
Now that staff are back and children are settling in, it's time to make safeguarding visible throughout your school community. A well-planned awareness campaign serves multiple purposes:
Campaign elements to consider:
- Visual reminders: Strategic poster placement in staff areas, corridors, and key locations
- Digital communications: Email reminders, intranet updates, and staff newsletter features
- Training refreshers: Quick 15-minute briefings during staff meetings
- Interactive elements: QR codes linking to key policies or reporting procedures
Remember: Your campaign should be engaging, not overwhelming. The goal is to keep safeguarding at the forefront of everyone's mind without creating alert fatigue.
Week 3: Deep Dive with Your Frontline Team
Priority Action: One-on-One Check-ins
This is where the rubber meets the road. Schedule individual conversations with staff who handle safeguarding concerns directly – your teaching assistants, pastoral care team, reception staff, and anyone else who might be the first point of contact for worried children.
Key discussion points:
- How confident do they feel in recognising concerning behaviours?
- Are there any barriers to reporting they've experienced?
- What additional support or training would be helpful?
- Have they noticed any patterns or concerns from the summer period?
Why this matters: These conversations often reveal gaps that formal training sessions miss. Your frontline staff have invaluable insights into the day-to-day reality of safeguarding in your school.
Week 4: Building External Trust and Transparency
Priority Action: Stakeholder Communication
By now, you've strengthened your internal safeguarding culture. It's time to extend that confidence to your wider community. Transparent communication with parents, carers, and external partners builds the trust that's essential for effective safeguarding.
Communication strategies:
- Parent newsletter feature: Outline your safeguarding priorities and how parents can support them
- Website updates: Ensure all safeguarding information is current and accessible
- Partner briefings: Update local authority contacts, social services, and other key partners
- Volunteer orientation: Brief any new volunteers on safeguarding expectations
The Ongoing Foundation: Systems and Processes
Whilst these weekly priorities provide structure, your underlying systems need to be robust from day one:
Staff Verification and Compliance
Ensure every team member's checks are current and properly documented. This includes:
- DBS certificates and renewal tracking
- Safeguarding training completion
- Reference verification for new staff
- Right to work documentation
- Professional qualifications verification
Documentation and Record-keeping
- Update your single central record
- Review and refresh safeguarding policies
- Ensure incident reporting systems are functioning
- Check data protection compliance
- Verify emergency contact procedures
Technology and Communication
- Test your safeguarding reporting systems
- Update staff contact lists
- Ensure all communication channels are secure
- Review social media and digital safety policies
Creating a Culture, Not Just Compliance
The most successful DSLs understand that September isn't just about ticking boxes – it's about cultivating a culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. This means:
Making it personal: Help staff understand that safeguarding isn't an additional burden – it's the foundation that allows them to do their best work with children.
Encouraging questions: Create an environment where staff feel comfortable asking for clarification or raising concerns without fear of judgment.
Celebrating success: Acknowledge when staff handle safeguarding situations well. This reinforces positive behaviours and builds confidence.
Staying connected: Regular check-ins throughout the term help maintain momentum and address issues before they become problems.
Your September Success Checklist
- All-staff safeguarding meeting completed
- Awareness campaign materials prepared and deployed
- One-on-one check-ins scheduled with key staff
- External stakeholder communications sent
- Staff verification records updated
- Safeguarding policies reviewed and current
- Reporting systems tested and functional
- Emergency procedures verified
The Bigger Picture
Remember, the work you do in September sets the foundation for the entire academic year. By taking a comprehensive approach to back-to-school preparation – one that goes beyond just getting new starters ready – you're creating an environment where every child can thrive safely.
The investment you make in these first four weeks will pay dividends throughout the year in terms of staff confidence, clear communication, and most importantly, better protection for the children in your care.
Your role as DSL is challenging, but it's also one of the most important jobs in education. By approaching September with this level of preparation and intentionality, you're not just meeting compliance requirements – you're building a safeguarding culture that truly makes a difference.
Need support with staff verification and compliance management? Discover how our digital safeguarding solutions can streamline your processes and give you more time to focus on what matters most – protecting children. Learn more about Safeguard-Me's digital passport system.