Best online DSL courses in the UK: how to choose designated safeguarding lead training (2026)

What KCSIE asks of DSL training

Keeping Children Safe in Education is statutory guidance for schools and colleges in England, updated each September. Annex C describes the designated safeguarding lead: a senior member of staff with lead responsibility for safeguarding, which cannot be delegated. It says DSL training should be updated at least every two years, with knowledge and skills refreshed at regular intervals and at least annually through briefings, bulletins or meetings. The DSL also needs training that covers the local safeguarding arrangements, which many local safeguarding children partnerships deliver themselves or ask the DSL to take from a provider they choose.

The Early Years Foundation Stage asks every early years provider in England to name a practitioner who takes lead responsibility for safeguarding. Wales has its own guidance, Keeping learners safe, and names a designated safeguarding person; Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own child protection guidance.

No single course makes you a DSL. Your headteacher, principal, manager or governing body appoints you and decides what training the role needs.

What to compare in an online DSL course

• Coverage of the whole role. The DSL role and the law, building a safeguarding culture, recognising abuse, neglect and exploitation, responding to disclosures, referrals and multi-agency work, records and information sharing, allegations against staff and online safety.
• The settings it is written for. Schools and colleges, early years, and organisations outside education such as clubs, charities and training providers.
• Hours of learning. A DSL course should be more than a short awareness session. Check the hours shown on the certificate.
• A refresh period that matches KCSIE. At least every two years, and what the refresher costs.
• A certificate you can show. The course name, hours, completion date and refresh date, with a way to verify it.
• What it does not cover. No online course teaches your own partnership's procedures, contact numbers and threshold document.

Lift College's DSL Training ends with a final test, 80% to pass with unlimited free retakes, and a certificate that names the course, shows 6 hours of learning, your completion date and a refresh date 2 years on, with a unique number and a verification link.

DSL training options compared (2026)

Lift College is listed first. The High Speed Training price is from its own safeguarding courses page, checked 26 October 2026, as a buyer pays.

"Check provider" means the provider's page did not show that detail when we checked. Prices change, so check each provider before you buy.

Who each option suits

• A new DSL or deputy who needs the knowledge before a local course: Lift College DSL Training works as induction, then your partnership covers local procedures.
• An experienced DSL between formal courses: an online course is a knowledge update, and KCSIE's yearly refresh can sit alongside it.
• A safeguarding lead outside KCSIE, such as a sports club, youth group, charity or training provider: an online DSL course can be the main training, if your organisation agrees.
• Staff who support the DSL but are not the lead: Safeguarding Children Level 3, 4 hours in 10 modules, or Safeguarding Children Level 2 for most staff in contact with children.
• Everyone in a school or college: add Prevent Duty Training, 1 hour in 4 modules. The DSL course does not replace Prevent training.

What you get with Lift College

• 8 modules: the DSL role and the law; leading a culture of safeguarding; recognising abuse, neglect and exploitation; responding to concerns and disclosures; making a referral and working with other agencies; recording and sharing information; allegations against staff, safer recruitment and online safety; and the DSL in early years, colleges and other settings.
• Written around the law in England, the Children Act 2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children, Keeping Children Safe in Education and the EYFS statutory framework, with notes on Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
• £19.99, pay once. One payment for one learner, no subscription, with a 14-day money-back guarantee.
• Free refresher every 2 years, to match the KCSIE update interval. We email you 30 days before.
• Training several leads? Each course is £16.99 a place on a free organisation account, with card or invoice payment.

Ready to start? Take DSL training online with Lift College.