The Diary of a DSL

In this episode Lloyd Perry explores how safeguarding in further education must go beyond a designated team and become part of everyday college life. Using the image of a typical Tuesday morning, he shows how reception, security, tutors, curriculum staff, student services, SEND, careers, attendance, estates, leaders and governors all play vital roles in noticing, listening and acting.

Lloyd argues that a strong safeguarding culture means staff know what to spot, who to tell and feel confident to act — even if the DSL is not present. He offers practical questions leaders can use to test whether safeguarding is truly embedded across the organisation.

In this episode Lloyd Perry speaks with Kay Burton-Williams, Director of Student Experience and DSL at BMET, about handling staff allegations and working with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). They cover what a LADO does, when to report concerns, and the emotional and procedural challenges for DSLs.

Kay offers practical advice for new and experienced DSLs: ask for LADO support, involve HR, act promptly, maintain professional curiosity, and balance fairness with the safety of young people.

Host Lloyd Perry interviews Mark Thomson, Managing Director of Watchword, about why safeguarding and campus security must be treated as one organisational risk. They discuss common misconceptions, physical environment, reporting, violence against women and girls, youth violence, and practical steps colleges can take to improve student safety.

Key takeaways: align security with safeguarding, improve cross‑team communication and reporting, develop security staff skills, and use risk assessments and scenario planning to create a safer, more resilient campus for students and staff.

For more information and to make contact with Mark please follow the link below:

https://thewatchword.co.uk/contact/

In this episode Lloyd Perry interviews Polly Harrow MBE about her work supporting students in the further education sector, including her role as FE Student Support Champion.

They discuss tackling misogyny, trauma-informed and restorative approaches, rising mental health needs, and the impact of suspensions and exclusions on students.

Polly shares practical advice for designated safeguarding leads and college leaders, highlights the FE Toolkit and student-led initiatives, and reminds listeners that safeguarding work truly changes lives.

Toolkit can be found at: https://www.educateagainsthate.com/resources/relationships-and-sex-education-toolkit-for-further-education-settings/

Host Lloyd Perry interviews Trudy McGuinness about her journey from FE designated safeguarding lead to founder of the Essential Safeguarding Company, exploring routines, early warning signs of burnout, and the importance of supervision, coaching and team support.

Listeners will learn practical tips for sustaining the DSL role—prioritising self-care, staying connected to peer networks, clustering tasks to manage energy, and accessing tailored supervision or coaching to remain effective and resilient.

More information on The Essential Safeguarding Company and to approach Trudy to the supervision offer please go to her website: 

https://www.safeguardingco.co.uk/

Make sure you mention The Diary of a DSL Podcast when you make contact!

In this episode Lloyd Perry explores why the first six weeks of term matter for safeguarding in further education. He focuses on subtle changes—attendance, withdrawal, the common phrase "I’m fine"—and how small, curious, compassionate interactions build trust and reveal concerns before formal disclosures.

Listeners are given five practical steps for staff and DSLs to notice, ask twice, and create a culture where everyone recognises their role in keeping students safe.

Host Lloyd Perry welcomes listeners to a new academic year and reflects on the vital, everyday work of designated safeguarding leads and student support teams. He highlights recent challenges—mental health, online risks, domestic abuse and more—and celebrates the impact of noticing, listening and taking action.

This episode emphasises building a strong safeguarding culture, practising professional curiosity, and supporting colleagues. It offers practical reminders to act, record and keep the student at the centre, and previews upcoming guest conversations and Q&A sessions for the term ahead.

This episode explains the main changes in Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026 and what they mean for designated safeguarding leads and college staff.

Key topics include the removal of Annex A, increased focus on violence against women and girls, updated guidance on online harms and AI, new language around nude/semi-nude images, and practical priorities for policy, training and culture before September 1, 2026.

Host Lloyd Perry delivers a short summer check-in from the Diary of a DSL, reminding listeners that safeguarding work continues even when campuses quieten.

The episode highlights preparation, partnership and staying connected over the break, previews an autumn return with new episodes and Q&A, and thanks listeners for their support since Easter 2026.

Take a moment to rest, stay connected, and know the safeguarding team remains ready for students’ return.

In this episode, host Lloyd Perry explores the unique safeguarding challenges that arise during the summer break in further education. He outlines common risks—online harm, exploitation, housing and financial insecurity, mental health crises—and shares a practical DSL summer checklist covering risk mapping, multi-agency coordination, staff briefings, student messaging, and cover arrangements.

The episode follows a week-by-week diary to show how risks evolve through the summer and emphasizes the importance of continuous safeguarding, clear communication, and preparing for a challenging return to term in September.