Safeguarding (and Prevent)
E-Learning
1 hr 30 min–2 hr
“Everyone who works with children has a responsibility for keeping them safe.”
– Working Together to Safeguard Children, Department for Education, HM Government.
Safeguarding
Keeping a child safe is the individual responsibility of every teacher or caregiver and the collective legal and social responsibility of the organisation whose responsibility the child is under at that time.
“Safeguarding” (and promoting the welfare of children) is defined by the Department for Education as:
- Protecting children (defined as anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday) from maltreatment
- Preventing impairment of children’s health or development
- Ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
- Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes
According to the NSPCC, there were over 200,000 offences related to child physical abuse recorded by police in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2023/2024, and in 2016 the first Office of National Statistics Survey of its kind ‘showed that 9% of adults aged 16 to 59 had experienced psychological abuse, 7% physical abuse, 7% sexual assault and 8% witnessed domestic violence or abuse in the home.’
Although it can be very difficult, spotting signs of abuse from very early on is very crucial in order to protect the child and subsequently prevent them suffering any future abuse.
Therefore all adults working in positions of trust and care should gain extensive safeguarding training and awareness in order to better prepare them for any encounters with cases of child abuse. Frequent safeguarding training should also aid in the creation and active promotion of a trusting and safe environment for children.
Prevent
Schools and childcare providers are subject to a duty under section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015. According to Prevent duty guidance: England and Wales (2023), the aim of Prevent is to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.
“Educators are often in a unique position, through interacting with learners on a regular basis, to be able to identify concerning behaviour changes that may indicate they are susceptible to radicalisation. Settings should not only be alert to violent extremism but also non-violent extremism, including certain divisive or intolerant narratives which can reasonably be linked to terrorism.”
The objectives of Prevent are to:
- enable people who have already engaged in terrorism to disengage and rehabilitate
- tackle the ideological causes of terrorism
- intervene early to support people susceptible to radicalisation
This course seeks to provide knowledge on common child welfare issues, safeguarding principles, individual responsibilities, and how to form the best policies and procedures for your institution using existing expert knowledge and guidance by the government.
Upon completion of this safeguarding training course, we aim to have provided the learner with the following:
- A knowledge of the key legislation surrounding safeguarding and Prevent law
- A greater awareness of safeguarding issues, such as the different types of abuse and how to spot their effects
- Understanding of their personal responsibilities towards safeguarding and maintaining a safe environment for children
- Understanding their organisation’s duties and responsibilities when safeguarding children
A branded certificate is also issued upon completion of the course.
Safesmart delivers Safeguarding and Prevent Training for your organisation through Smartlog – our comprehensive health & safety compliance software.
Course Content
What is safeguarding? – Why do we need training: The role of schools and colleges in safeguarding children. What do you need to know: From child protection policy, behaviour policy, staff behaviour policy or code of conduct, repeat/prolonged absences, and the identity and role of the designated safeguarding lead.
Legislation – Key safeguarding law, including: The Education Act 2002, The Children Act 2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children Guidance 2018, Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE) Statutory guidance for schools and colleges, and the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
Inspection bodies – The organisations tasked with upholding safeguarding standards in the UK, their responsibilities & obligations, what powers they hold, and their criteria regarding institutions that are affected by safeguarding law.
Child abuse – The 4 main types of abuse:
• Physical
• Emotional
• Sexual
• Neglect
And other specific forms of abuse – Breast flattening, child-on-child abuse, child criminal exploitation (CCE) & County Lines, child sexual exploitation (CSE), domestic abuse, fabricated or induced illness (FII), Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), forced marriage, and Modern Slavery (including Child Trafficking).
Safeguarding Matters – Identifying and dealing with specific Safeguarding concerns, in particular – Children and the court system, children with family members in prison, cybercrime, homelessness, honor-based abuse, and mental health.
Additionally, reporting Safeguarding and child abuse concerns through Safeguarding arrangements, information sharing, Early Help, and record keeping.
Prevent – What is the Prevent Duty (Prevent duty guidance: England and Wales), radicalisation, extremism, terrorism, who is vulnerable, indicators or signs of radicalisation, and what to do if you have concerns about someone.
This course contains test questions and issues a certificate upon completion.
