A conversation with Charlotte

Charlotte is the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for a large nursery group with settings across the country. We met over a video call she’d arranged between her other meetings. I had a headache and was eating biscuits to keep going; her conversation was important to me. She was calm, professional, and clearly used to juggling a full calendar.

Her role raised an obvious question: How can someone with such a wide remit properly fulfil the responsibilities of a DSL?

“I’m not the only DSL,” she explained. “Our managers, deputies, seniors are all DSL trained. I lead the safeguarding strategy, but responsibility is shared. It’s not a one-person job.”

Each person has defined responsibilities, and safeguarding concerns are escalated according to clear protocols. If a concern is raised, it’s picked up by whoever’s available, unless it needs a decision at strategic level. That ensures EYFS safeguarding happens in real time, not just when someone has a gap in their diary. This approach reflects the importance of dealing with safeguarding concerns in EYFS settings in a way that is both responsive and structured.

Well-Being as a Safeguarding Concern

What stood out most in our conversation was how closely Charlotte linked staff well-being to safeguarding itself. She described a long-serving practitioner who had quietly become overwhelmed.

“She wasn’t perfect, but she was committed. If she’d had something like On the Button, she might have signalled she wasn’t OK before things got too much.”

Charlotte made it clear that early years well-being isn’t just about being kind. It’s a safeguarding issue. She stressed that if staff are under pressure or unsupported, they may miss things or not feel safe enough to speak up. Her comments underscore the need for robust EYFS well-being policies that support real people in real time, making staff well-being a non-negotiable foundation for high-quality care and protection.

Handling Complaints Without Creating Fear

We also talked about complaint management, not just formal procedures, but the reality of how concerns are raised and responded to. Charlotte pointed out that while staff need to be able to raise concerns quickly, it’s equally important that they trust how those concerns will be handled.

“Not everything needs to be broadcast. Sometimes it’s a concern about a colleague, or even about culture. You want it to go to the right person, not everyone.”

She appreciated the ability to send anonymous or discreet messages through a system like On the Button, while still keeping the DSL and manager in the loop. It wasn’t about replacing their current approach, but strengthening it with faster, quieter ways for staff to speak up. This kind of mechanism reflects current thinking around managing complaints in nurseries in a way that protects both staff and children.

Key Reflections

• A distributed DSL model works when roles and systems are clearly defined, especially in safeguarding in early years settings.

• Staff well-being is not just a side concern; it's a frontline safeguarding issue. It's a crucial aspect of our work that we can't afford to overlook.

• Early years complaint management must balance discretion and accountability.

Technology should support, never replace, professional judgment and human care. It's a tool that can enhance our safeguarding practices, but it's the human touch that ensures it's used effectively and compassionately.

AUTHOR:- Catherine Lyon is an early years consultant and former Ofsted inspector, Quality Assurance Assessor and Outstanding Nursery Provider with over 50 years of experience across the early years sector. She has supported hundreds of settings in developing high-quality provision, focusing on leadership, safeguarding, and compliance. Catherine is passionate about helping professionals build safe, nurturing environments where children thrive. She contributes to the On the Button team, delivering well-being, safeguarding, and complaint management software that empowers early years practitioners and management to act confidently and clearly.

At On the Button, we're proud to support early years professionals with sector-specific software that promotes EYFS safeguarding, early years well-being, and effective complaint management. Designed by people who understand the challenges of running and regulating childcare settings, our platform helps ensure that safeguarding signs are never missed. Whether you're managing risk, well-being, or compliance, On the Button brings peace of mind.