National DSL
The single most important operational role. The National DSL:
- Owns the safeguarding handbook, procedures, forms, and central records
- Chairs the NSB
- Liaises externally with statutory agencies (LADO across multiple LAs, police, ICO), dioceses, Charity Commission
- Receives escalations from Regional Safeguarding Leads
- Signs off all positive-DBS risk assessments (jointly with a trustee)
- Authorises removal of volunteers for safeguarding reasons (jointly with trustees)
- Maintains the central DBS log, allegation register, and breach register
- Reports quarterly to NSB and annually to trustees
- First-point external contact for any concern raised about an RSL or trustee
Eligibility
- Enhanced DBS + Children’s & Adults’ Barred List
- Safeguarding Lead training (Level 3 or equivalent), refreshed every 2 years
- LADO familiarisation across the LAs Jesus Youth UK operates in
- Cannot also be a Regional Safeguarding Lead or hold a programme delivery role (separation of oversight from delivery)
Deputy DSL
- Full cover for National DSL when unavailable
- Same training and DBS level
- Day-to-day, may take operational ownership of specific portfolios (e.g. online safeguarding, training programme) by agreement with National DSL
- Steps up if National DSL has a conflict of interest in a specific case