KCSIE 2026 never uses "Level 3" or any numbered level. Annex B, under "Training, knowledge and skills", says the DSL and any deputies should have training for the role, updated at least every two years, and should refresh their knowledge and skills at least once a year in between. Deputies should be trained to the same standard as the DSL (paragraph 130).
Training providers and some local safeguarding partnerships use "Level 3" for DSL courses and lower numbers for courses aimed at other staff, but there is no national scheme behind the numbers. That means:
- a "Level 3" certificate doesn't prove a course is suitable. Check it covers what Annex B lists, such as referral arrangements, conferences, information sharing, Prevent, online safety and record keeping
- a course called simply "DSL training" can meet KCSIE
- an expiry date printed on a certificate is the provider's convention. The statutory answer is that DSL training should be no more than two years old
For all other staff, KCSIE says safeguarding training should happen at induction and be regularly updated, with updates at least annually (paragraphs 153 and 154).
Local content matters, because referral routes and thresholds differ between areas. Many DSLs choose a course from their local safeguarding partnership for that reason.