Safeguarding

Learning outcomes from the online Safeguarding course include:

Understanding Child Protection Laws, understand the legal framework and policies related to safeguarding in England & Wales.

Recognising Signs of Abuse and Neglect, develop the ability to recognise signs and indicators of child abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

Reporting Procedures, how to navigate the reporting procedures and responsibilities when concerns about a child’s safety or well-being arise.

Risk Assessment, assess the level of risk to a child and make informed decisions regarding intervention.

Collaboration, know the importance of collaborating with other professionals, agencies, and stakeholders involved in child protection.

Prevention Practices, develop a proactive approach to preventing harm to children through safeguarding practices and policies.

This online Safeguarding course has been designed for various professionals working in England & Wales including:

Teachers and Educational Staff, should take safeguarding courses to ensure they can identify and respond to signs of abuse or neglect among their students.

Social Workers, play a critical role in child protection, and regular safeguarding training is essential to stay up to date with child protection laws and best practices.

Healthcare Professionals, who work with children should take child protection courses to recognise and report any signs of abuse or neglect.

Law Enforcement Officers, may encounter child protection issues during their duties, and safeguarding training is essential to handle such cases appropriately.

Childcare Workers, anyone working in childcare facilities, including day-care centres and after-school programs, require safeguarding training to help create a safe environment for children and respond to any concerns.

Volunteers and Youth Workers, individuals who volunteer with youth organizations, sports teams, or community groups should take a safeguarding course to ensure they know who to ensure the safety and well-being of the children they serve.

Community Leaders and Advocates, who work to improve child welfare in their communities can gain valuable insights from safeguarding training.

The 4Rs of safeguarding are a way to remember responsibilities.  The 4Rs are:

1. Recognise – You cannot act if you do not know the signs and indicators of abuse

2. Respond – Knowing how to respond quickly and appropriately is essential

3. Report – You need to understand what to report and who to report it to

4. Record – You also need to know, when how and what to record

Safeguarding systems are different in each of the home nations because various legislative powers are devolved.  However underlying principles remain the same.  Temporary carers must always act appropriately and in the child’s best interest.

Key legislation in safeguarding and child protection is:

• In Scotland guidance for anyone working with children is the National guidance for child protection in Scotland (Scottish Government, 2014).  We offer a separate Child Protection course for Scotland.
• The Children Act 2004 provides the legislative framework for child protection in England and Wales. In July 2018 the department for education in England published an updated guidance for anyone working with children.
• In Wales updated guidance was provided in the Wales Safeguarding Procedures and Practice Guides in 2019 (Wales Safeguarding Procedures Project Board, 2019)
• Revised regional core child protection policies and procedures for Northern Ireland (Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland, 2018): This explains the actions that must be taken when there are concerns about the welfare of a child/young person.