Designated safeguarding lead

The DSL is who staff and volunteers go to when something happens. The role is executive, not governance.

In regulated sectors such as schools and early years the DSL is a statutory requirement with prescribed responsibilities. For charities generally it is expected practice rather than a general statutory duty.

Distinguish it from the board-level lead trustee for safeguarding. One person holding both concentrates operational and oversight responsibility in a way that defeats the purpose.