LA maintained school Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) networks

Last academic year, many DSLs, network chairs and Local Safeguarding Children Group representatives participated in feedback activity to understand how effective DSL networks are and identify further improvements to ensure all education settings have access to a network aligned with the Norfolk Safeguarding Children Partnership's multi-agency safeguarding agreement (MASA) to 'enable all education settings are fully engaged, involved and included in local safeguarding arrangements. This means making sure that the views and contributions of education and childcare providers are articulated at the highest level of decision-making' (paragraph 77 Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023). 

Based on the findings, DSL networks will work in the following layers: 

• DSL networks within the multi-academy trusts facilitated by their trusts 
• DSL network for multi-academy trust safeguarding representatives facilitated by the Education Safeguarding Team 
• 6 DSL networks for LA maintained schools facilitated by the Education Safeguarding Team  
• DSL Further Education network  
• DSL special school network  

Dates for DSL networks for LA maintained schools (please click on link to join): 

Each network will align with their Local Safeguarding Children Group through representation and the Norfolk Safeguarding Children Partnership MASA.  

There is a small number of local DSL networks that working effectively for the DSLs participating.  These individual networks will continue where DSLs choose to. 

If you have any queries about the new framework, please contact us: 

• Lucy Canning- Adviser Safeguarding: lucy.canning@norfolk.gov.uk  
• Claire Farrelly - Adviser Safeguarding: claire.farrelly@norfolk.gov.uk  
• Education Safeguarding Team: educationsafeguarding@norfolk.gov.uk