This petition was submitted during the 2019-2024 parliament
Rejected petition Make the role of Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) a standalone role
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.
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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.
This petition was rejected
Why was this petition rejected?
It’s not clear what the petition is asking 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.
We only reject petitions that don’t meet the petition standards.