Make the role of Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) a standalone role

Rejected 21 signatures

What the petition asks

We are calling for the role of the DSL to become a standalone role in schools & colleges. It is unfeasible to think that this fundamental role in keeping children safe in education can be fulfilled as a bolt on to any other role, especially whilst maintaining a teaching timetable.

We are increasingly seeing DSL’s becoming professionally burnt out, desensitised, and professionally blinded due to a lack of capacity, & this is putting children at risk. Safeguarding is much wider than just ‘child protection’. The role of must be, taking into consideration, but not limited to, case management, health & safety, site security, governance, safer recruitment, mental health & wellbeing, & staff development & safeguarding within the curriculum. It is clear that DSLs are ever more becoming ‘in-house’ social workers, yet seem to lack the recognition, time, funding & support the role so greatly requires.

Why it was rejected

It was not clear what the petition asked the UK Government or Parliament to do.

Petitions need to call on the Government or Parliament to take a specific action.

We understand that you are concerned about current requirements for safeguarding leads in schools and colleges, but it's not clear if you just want the Government to require schools and colleges have a dedicated safeguarding lead, or if you also want the Government to make safeguarding leads responsible for additional aspects of certain operations.

You could start a new petition explaining clearly what you would like the Government or Parliament to do.

Timeline

9 May 2022	Petition opened for signatures
12 May 2022	Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 21

Status Rejected

Rejected 12 May 2022

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