Staff may not carry caseloads but still come into contact with children, families or carers. This could be over the telephone or face to face. All staff that come into contact with children, families or carers need to have an awareness of safeguarding. This involves being able to recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse and know how to manage and record a disclosure of abuse.

This can feel overwhelming to staff who have not had training in this vital subject area.

Staff that are trained increases confidence, which ensures that procedures are understood and followed, and that safeguarding is always at the forefront of the organisation.

This course covers the national safeguarding training, learning and development standards - group A.

Memorable Principles:

• I know what the term safeguarding means
• I know what to look out for
• I know how to report

Group A practitioners are ALL staff who join a public or voluntary organisation in Wales. The training, learning and development standards are also suitable for those working in the private sector, volunteers and elected members of local authorities.

Module 1 - Signs and symptoms of abuse, harm and neglect - We look at what constitutes an adult at risk, how this could be a permanent state or episodic.  Safeguarding principles and the roles and responsibilities of practitioners. Different forms that adults abuse can take; Physical, sexual, emotional, financial and neglect and signs and symptoms associated with these types of abuse. Behavioural indicators to look out for when working with adults and the consequences of abuse.

Module 2 - Susceptibility to abuse - Some adults may be more susceptible to abuse, we look at heightened risk factors including domestic abuse, drugs and alcohol, and mental health. This leads on to mental capacity including the five principles and how these work in practice. 

Module 3 - Responding to a disclosure – Reporting, responding and recording concerns and disclosures. The difference between a concern and a disclosure. The importance of recording and reporting (Duty to report). Why some adults may be reluctant to talk and reacting appropriately (advice and tips). Reporting a safeguarding concern, reporting a disclosure of abuse, handling a disclosure, what to record, who to report it to, when to report it (timescales), after the disclosure.