Child protection: annual safeguarding update for staff
Annual Safeguarding Children Update package for whole school staff, volunteers and trainee teachers
The CPSLO Service Annual Safeguarding Update for academic year 2026-2027 is now ready. It is available to those schools who have purchased whole school Safeguarding Children Training from the CPSLO service in the last 3 years or have a confirmed booking in the academic year of 2026 - 2027. If you have not received this update, please email us at cpsloadmin@hertfordshire.gov.uk
The DfE's KCSiE (2026) stipulates that all staff should receive appropriate safeguarding and child protection training which is regularly updated (every 3 years in Hertfordshire). In addition, all staff should receive safeguarding and child protection updates (for example, via email, e-bulletins and staff meetings), as required, and at least annually, to provide them with relevant skills and knowledge to safeguard children effectively.
The pack has been updated to refresh delegates knowledge of what school and college staff should know and do to fulfil their professional duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, this is in line with information in Part One and Annex A of Keeping Children Safe in Education DfE 2026 (KCSiE).The package comprises a skide deck, DSL guidance for delivery and staff work sheets.
This annual update package must NOT BE USED to replace whole school staff 3 year statutory training, it must not also replace all staff duty to read Part One, Annexe A ( Specific Safeguarding issues) , B ( Role of the DSL /DDSL) and your education setting’s child protection policy.
Please note – we would like to thank you in advance only share this package with staff within your education setting and not with other associated settings, if you receive a request please refer them to cpsloadmin@hertfordshire.gov.uk
New Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputies - Annual Safeguarding update
Keeping Children Safe In Education sets out: In addition to the formal training, their knowledge and skills should be refreshed (this might be via e-bulletins, meeting other DSLs, or simply taking time to read and digest safeguarding developments at regular intervals, as required, and at least annually, to allow them to understand and keep up with any developments relevant to their role.
The CPSLO Service has produced this resource for DSLs and deputies to fulfil this directive from KCSiE . This update is a different version to what DSLs provide annually to update whole school staff on safeguarding as this is pitched specifically for a more senior leadership / management level and focusses on the key national and local safeguarding updates and safeguarding themes that DSLs need to know about as part of providing a whole school approach to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
All DSLs can use this and set the pace for as and when to strengthen their own learning, it can be used either as an individual update or as part of a wider DSL team/group session peer learning exercises (similar to how DSL delivers the whole school staff update version).
We recommend DSLs take at least up to 90 minutes however as you can see from the aims and objectives you may choose to divide the learning into two 45 minutes sessions.
Please note: This update does not replace the need for DSLs to undertake ‘actual’ safeguarding training for example DSL 2-day training or most importantly the Refresher training that is required every 2 years.
This resource has therefore been created for DSL s to access as an interim of both national and local key changes that DSLs must keep abreast of in accordance with KCSiE and Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership .
This resource will be made available for free directly to DSLs who have attended DSL 2 day or refresher training with the service in the previous academic year. For example, all DSLs who attended training during the academic year 2025-26 will receive this update resource for 2026-27 academic year. Those who attend training in the 2026-27 academic year, will receive this resource for the 2027-28 academic year .
For schools that meet the criteria for free access and you have not received this , you can email your schools CPSLO directly or if unknown email cpsloadmin@hertfordshire.gov.uk , a member of the team will provide you with a copy of the resource pack (with guidance) and the password.
Aims & Learning Objectives of DSL annual safeguarding update:
To support DSL and deputies to update their knowledge and skills on what they need to know about local and national safeguarding developments and themes, at least annually and as part of their role and responsibilities.
National and local guidance updates:
- KCSiE updates
- Early Years Framework
- Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership Procedures Manual
- Children who may benefit from early help
- Parental consent
- Continuum of need
- Local Authority Designated Officer LADO threshold criteria
- The Gateway - Referrals and Request for Support
- How to make a Safeguarding Referral
- Resolution of professional differences
Safeguarding themes:
- Online Safety and AI
- Disinformation
- Child Sexual Abuse and safety and support plans
- Risk management
- Domestic Abuse
- Parental conflict
- Child Against Parent Violent Abuse
- Mental health
- Prevent
- Kinship care