A section-by-section checklist of the DSL role as set out in Annex B of Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026 (previously Annex C). A DSL, deputy or headteacher can see quickly what is in place and what is not, with every item that is new or changed for 2026 clearly marked.
September 2026 edition. Checked against KCSIE 2026 on 6 September 2026. It replaces our KCSIE 2024 and 2025 DSL checklists.
What's inside
- Status, time and cover, including the 2026 expectations on cover arrangements
- Managing referrals
- Working with others
- Child protection files and information sharing
- Raising awareness and policy
- Online safety, filtering and monitoring
- Training and refresh
- A termly self-check to share with the headteacher or governors
Format: editable Word document, tick-box layout, around 1,300 words.
Useful for: DSLs, deputy DSLs, headteachers and safeguarding governors.
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