Course description

Safeguarding is EVERYBODY’s business. It is an umbrella term that describes how we promote the welfare of ‘adults at risk of harm’, protecting their right to live a life free from abuse harm and neglect.

If organisations and individuals work together and share information, they can collectively identify, respond, refer, prevent and/or support adults at risk of, or suffering from abuse, harm and/or neglect.

To safeguard effectively staff need to understand what constitutes an ‘adult at risk’, be able to recognise signs, symptoms and behavioural indicators of abuse and neglect, know when to escalate concerns to statutory services and work with other agencies effectively.

This course covers the requirements listed in the National safeguarding training National Safeguarding Training, Learning and Development Standards - group B.

Module 1 – An introduction to safeguarding adults.   

This first module provides an overview of safeguarding adults.

• Legislation and guidance overview.
• What is safeguarding.
• What does ‘adults at risk' mean.
• Role and responsibilities.
• Safeguarding principles.
• Terms you might here.
• Headline cases.
• Who carries out abuse.
• Where abuse happens.

Module 2 – Mental capacity. 

In this module we learn about the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the core principles. We look at:

• Who the Mental Capacity Act safeguards.
• What affects mental capacity.
• The powers and bodies introduced by the act.
• Identifying and promoting best interest, practices and decisions.
• Unwise decisions.
• Prompts for assessment.
• Test for capacity.

Module 3 - Different types of abuse and indicators. 

In this module we look at the 5 recognised types of abuse under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014  and potential indicators of abuse for each.

• Emotional/psychological.
• Financial.
• Neglect.
• Physical abuse.
• Sexual.

Module 4 – Susceptibility to abuse. 

What makes someone more susceptible to abuse, harm and neglect? This module explores this further to give you a greater understanding of the risks adults at risk face, including case studies.

• Heightened risk factors.
• Mental capacity.
• Modern slavery.
• Poor care practices.
• Dependency.

Module 5 - Responding professionally to a disclosure.

In this module we look at how a disclosure of abuse might happen and what to do if someone discloses to you.

• The importance of reporting.
• Barriers and the reluctance to talk.
• How a disclosure might happen.
• How to act appropriately.
• How to use TED (Tell, Explain, Describe).

Module 6 - What happens after a disclosure. 

In this module we look at the next steps after receiving a disclosure.

• Making a report of abuse.
• Consent and when you can override consent.
• The role of the Designated Safeguarding Person.
• Person in a Position of Trust (PiPoT).
• Person centred approach and advocacy.
• What happens when a report is submitted to adult social care.
• Sharing information in a confidential manner.

Module 7 – Legislation and guidance. 

This module explains the different legislation, guidance and codes of practice that directs safeguarding practice.

The Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Act 2014, The Mental Capacity Act 2005,

Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, Human Rights Act 1998, Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015 and other legislation. Safeguarding Boards and their role.

The importance of understanding your organisations safeguarding policies and procedures.

This course takes learners approx 4 hours to complete.