DSL September Safeguarding Checklist 2026 | Primary School

September safeguarding checklist for primary DSLs – a practical start-of-year audit covering KCSIE, staff training, CPOMS, policies and safeguarding systems.

Start the new academic year knowing your safeguarding systems are ready.

This practical DSL September Checklist is designed for Designated Safeguarding Leads, deputy DSLs, headteachers and safeguarding leaders who need a quick but thorough way to organise essential safeguarding tasks at the beginning of the school year.

The checklist is divided into manageable stages so DSLs can see what needs attention before pupils return, during the first week and before the end of September.

Areas covered include:

• current safeguarding guidance;
• safeguarding and child protection policy;
• DSL and deputy DSL information;
• staff safeguarding training;
• staff induction;
• safeguarding training records;
• staff code of conduct;
• low-level concerns;
• safer recruitment checks;
• safeguarding systems;
• CPOMS / electronic safeguarding records;
• pupil chronologies;
• ongoing safeguarding cases;
• children with additional vulnerabilities;
• attendance concerns;
• online safety;
• emergency contacts;
• safeguarding displays and reporting routes;
• governor safeguarding oversight;
• actions requiring follow-up.

Ideal as a September safeguarding audit, DSL organisation tool, start-of-year checklist or safeguarding evidence document.

Print it, annotate it, add it to your DSL folder or use it as the basis of your September safeguarding action plan.

A simple resource designed to answer one very important question:

“Are our safeguarding systems genuinely ready for pupils and staff to return?”

Suitable for primary schools in England. Schools should adapt the checklist to their own policies, local safeguarding arrangements and current statutory guidance.