Early Years & DSL Leadership Insights (England) | Week Ending 17/04/26Safeguarding is not standing still.
Across England, expectations continue to evolve — not just in what we safeguard against, but how we think, lead, and act as Designated Safeguarding Leads.
And if you’re a DSL in early years or working with childminders…
this matters more than ever.
Recent updates and emphasis within Keeping Children Safe in Education continue to highlight a widening scope of safeguarding:
• Increased focus on online safety and digital harm
• Growing recognition of mental health as a safeguarding concern
• Stronger expectations around data protection and information security
👉 This is critical.
Safeguarding is no longer just about recognising abuse.
It is about understanding the real environments children are growing up in — both offline and online.
If safeguarding now includes digital harm, emotional wellbeing, and emerging risks…
👉 Are your team trained for today’s realities — or yesterday’s?
The expectations within Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 are clear:
• Safeguarding is a shared responsibility across all agencies
• There is increased emphasis on information sharing
• Early help and coordinated support for families is a priority
👉 This is a mindset shift.
Safeguarding is no longer: “What happens inside my setting”
It is: “How my setting contributes to a wider safeguarding system”
• Do you know your local safeguarding partners and thresholds?
• Are you confident in when and how to escalate concerns?
• Are you sharing concerns early — or waiting for certainty?
👉 The system expects professional curiosity and proactive action, not delayed reporting.
A key theme across England right now:
👉 Early help is safeguarding — not separate from it
• Earlier identification of need is expected
• Stronger relationships with families are essential
• Patterns of concern matter as much as single incidents
You are no longer just:
• Responding to concerns
You are now:
• Identifying patterns over time
• Supporting families earlier
• Preventing escalation wherever possible
Let’s be honest.
Guidance is becoming more detailed…
But real-life safeguarding is becoming more complex.
This week’s themes highlight:
• Blurred lines between welfare and safeguarding
• Increased reliance on professional judgement
• Greater scrutiny on decision-making and record keeping
There is no checklist for:
• “Is this a safeguarding concern?”
• “Should I escalate this?”
👉 That decision sits with you.
• Asking better questions, not just following process
• Being professionally curious — even when unsure
• Recording why decisions are made, not just what
Online safety continues to be a major focus within KCSIE:
• Risks linked to online exploitation and harmful content
• The need for appropriate filtering and monitoring systems
• Growing awareness of emerging risks linked to AI and digital content
• How are we supporting parents to understand online risk?
• How early should digital safeguarding conversations begin?
• Are staff confident discussing risks they may not fully understand themselves?
Safeguarding expectations are not just increasing…
They are becoming heavier.
You are expected to:
• Navigate uncertainty
• Lead safeguarding culture
• Make high-stakes decisions with limited information
The DSL role is not just procedural, it is:• Emotional
• Cognitive
• Relational
👉 And it requires support — not just accountability.
The direction is clear:
👉 Safeguarding is broader
👉 Expectations are higher
👉 Judgement matters more than ever
So this week, focus on:
• ✔ Reviewing safeguarding understanding across your team
• ✔ Strengthening early help conversations with families
• ✔ Reflecting on decision-making, not just compliance
• ✔ Asking: Are we confident — or just following process?
Safeguarding is not becoming easier.
It is becoming more human.
More complex.
More relational.
More dependent on professional judgement.
And that means:
👉 The role of the DSL has never been more important.
If you need support with:
• DSL training (early years & childminders)
• Safeguarding systems and audits
• UK compliance and inspection readiness
• Building confident safeguarding leadership
Get in touch — I’m here to help.
