The Diary of a DSL

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, improv...

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...

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 t...

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...

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...

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 S...

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...

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...

This episode explores how safeguarding in further education is driven by leadership and culture, not just policies. Lloyd Perry discusses the role of designated safeguarding leads (DSLs) in shaping environments where students feel safe, heard and supported. Listeners will hear why relational, student‑centred approaches, staff support and consistent leadership are essential for effective safeguardi...

Host Lloyd Perrion explores the challenges of safeguarding in further education when systems are stretched and students face complex needs. The episode reflects on the emotional burden carried by DSLs and safeguarding teams, the power of relationships as a protective factor, and practical ways to hold hope through consistent, compassionate support. Listeners are reminded that small interventions a...

This episode explores how students' online lives shape their safety, wellbeing and behaviour in further education and post‑16 settings. Lloyd Perry discusses the real risks—bullying, exploitation, image abuse, AI harms—and why digital safeguarding must be woven into college culture, policy and everyday practice. Listeners will hear practical guidance on building trust, training staff, listening to...

In this episode Lloyd Perry talks with Jen Hope (AOC) about the role of Designated Safeguarding Leads in supporting student and staff mental health. They cover practical boundary-setting, modelling kindness, building organisational culture, and tailored approaches for prevention, early intervention and crisis support. Jen shares sector resources, the AOC Mental Health Charter and top tips—like car...

This episode explores how safeguarding in further education is taught informally through everyday interactions, not just policies. Lloyd Perry explains the ‘hidden curriculum’ — the small moments, routines and relationships that model safety, boundaries and care across colleges. Through a typical day in the life of a Designated Safeguarding Lead, the episode highlights practical strategies for mak...

In this episode Lloyd Perry examines how special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can increase a young person’s vulnerability and why labels mustn’t mask safeguarding concerns. He outlines common risks, communication barriers, and missed signals, and offers practical steps for DSLs and teams to make safeguarding systems accessible, build trusted relationships, and respond with professiona...

This episode celebrates the vital role of designated safeguarding leads and teams in further education during Mental Health Awareness Week 2026, following a week in the life of DSLs as they support students facing mental health, housing, financial and identity challenges. It highlights the power of noticing, compassionate conversations, staff wellbeing and collaborative action—showing how small, e...

In this episode Lloyd Perry explores how well-being, inclusion and safety are interconnected pillars of effective safeguarding in education. He explains that safety is relational as well as procedural and that promoting emotional well-being and a sense of belonging reduces vulnerability and encourages young people to speak up. Listeners are given practical reflections for DSLs and staff — noticing...

In this episode Lloyd Perry explores the crucial role of the DSL in supporting staff facing safeguarding concerns in further education and school settings. He outlines practical steps—listen first, validate, clarify, reassure—plus checklists, debriefs, training and supervision to build a strong, open safeguarding culture. When staff feel supported, safeguarding improves for everyone: students, col...

Hello and welcome to a short episode of Diary of a DSL where host Lloyd Perry thanks listeners and highlights the podcast’s aim to reflect the real experiences of designated safeguarding leads in further education. He invites DSLs, deputies, safeguarding officers and frontline staff to share feedback, ideas and scenarios to shape future episodes, and reminds listeners to continue caring for studen...

Host Lloyd Perry explores the realities of multi‑agency safeguarding work for designated safeguarding leads in education, describing the system as a shifting maze that sits around the young person at its centre. The episode covers the practical challenges—different thresholds, inconsistent communication, heavy workload and the emotional toll of holding risk—and also highlights moments of real impa...

Lloyd Perry shares a personal Diary of a DSL episode about disclosures: the quiet, sudden and planned moments when young people reveal what they’ve been carrying and the immediate impact on them, staff and safeguarding teams. The episode explores how to receive disclosures with calm and humanity, how leaders support colleagues who hold these moments, and why advocacy and steady presence matter mor...

In this episode of Diary of a DSL, Lloyd explores the often-unspoken emotional labour that underpins safeguarding work. He discusses how carrying disclosures, balancing empathy with procedure, and working within stretched systems can lead to fatigue, isolation, and moral distress for DSLs. The episode offers practical coping strategies—reflective supervision, peer support, debriefing, boundaries,...

In this episode Lloyd Perry explores the emotional weight, everyday work, and deep purpose behind the role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead. He reflects on small, human moments, the unseen coordination with agencies and teams, and the practical realities of keeping young people safe. Listen for honest reflection, simple practical takeaways, and an invitation to connect with the DSL community —...

Join Lloyd Perry, a senior leader in further education with over 20 years' experience, as he explores the human side of safeguarding. This episode introduces the podcastand how it supports designated safeguarding leads and those working with young people's wellbeing. Expect honest reflections, practical insights, and a community-focused approach to decisions, student voice, inclusion and the every...