Designated safeguarding lead interview questions

Immediate action to protect the child, appropriate referral under local procedures, factual recording and follow-through. Records should be clear and factual and separate observed concerns, professional opinion and historic information (KCSIE 2026, Annex B). Ask what the candidate would do if the usual contact was unavailable; urgent action must not wait.

Deputies trained to the same standard, with lead responsibility staying with the DSL (paragraph 130 and Annex B); an agreed definition of “available” during term time, including when phone or video is acceptable; cover for out-of-hours and out-of-term activities; and a known route such as a confidential shared mailbox, with a named person checking it (paragraph 129). Ask how the candidate would test that staff, including supply staff, know the route.

Professional curiosity, regular training, and challenge to complacency at all levels.

Persistence, professional respect, and keeping the child's needs central through escalation.

The Crime and Policing Act 2026 removed the supervision exemption: a volunteer who teaches, trains, instructs or supervises children frequently, on more than 3 days in any 30, or overnight is now in regulated activity and needs an enhanced DBS check with children’s barred list information (KCSIE 2026, paragraph 383). Existing volunteers must have their barred list status checked (paragraph 385); in EYFS settings they cannot start until the certificate arrives (paragraph 386); other volunteers need a recorded risk assessment, and none without checks is left unsupervised (paragraphs 387–390). Look for a clear division of responsibility between the DSL, headteacher, single central record owner and governors.

Receiving: a trained member of staff reviews the file, separates current risk from historic information, seeks clarification where it is unclear and makes sure the SENCO is aware as required. Sending: within 5 days of an in-year transfer or of the start of a new term, separately from the main pupil file, securely, with confirmation of receipt and a structured summary of current concerns (KCSIE 2026, Annex B). Ask how the candidate quality-checks records day to day.

Induction, updates at least annually, and checking understanding, not just delivery (KCSIE 2026, paragraphs 153–154). The condensed Part one annex was withdrawn in 2026: all staff are expected to read Part one in full (Annex C). Ask how the candidate would cover supply staff and trainees.

Knowledge of the local criteria for action and referral arrangements, which DSL training should cover (KCSIE 2026, Annex B), coordination with services, and use of the local escalation procedure while keeping the child at the centre. Ask how the candidate records why a referral was or was not made.

The senior leader responsible leads it with the DSL and IT support at least once every academic year, checking that filtering works on all internet-connected devices in all relevant locations and keeping a record (KCSIE 2026, paragraph 173), against the DfE standards (paragraph 175). Look for clear routes for monitoring alerts and teaching pupils how to seek help. A technical filter alone is not the safeguarding approach.

Every incident of sharing nudes or semi-nudes needs a safeguarding response, consensual or not, proportionate to the age, development and circumstances of the children and to any coercion or exploitation (KCSIE 2026, paragraph 530). Strong answers follow the UKCIS advice that KCSIE points to, support the victim and treat the children who shared the image as a safeguarding concern too.

Honest reporting to the board’s senior safeguarding lead (KCSIE 2026, paragraph 86), the annual review of the child protection policy with the board (Annex B), use of audit, and welcoming external scrutiny.

Awareness of heightened vulnerability and tailored, proactive safeguarding, including the additional online risks children with SEND face and the lasting effect of social care involvement on attendance and attainment. The DSL should know which pupils have or have had a social worker and how they are progressing (KCSIE 2026, Annex B).