Every school in England has a statutory duty to safeguard the children in its care. The key reference is Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), updated annually.
The DSL role
Every school must have a Designated Safeguarding Lead with the authority, time and training to act. KCSIE Annex C sets out the role in detail.
Whole-school responsibilities
Safer recruitment, single central record, online safety, peer-on-peer abuse, contextual safeguarding, low-level concerns, allegations against staff, all sit alongside everyday classroom practice.
Governance
Governors and trustees are accountable. An annual safeguarding report, an audit, and clear oversight of the DSL's caseload are minimum standards.
External assurance
An independent safeguarding audit gives leaders confidence that the system is working, and surfaces issues before Ofsted does.