Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Whether you work in a care home, school, nursery, hospital, or any organisation that works with children or vulnerable adults, safeguarding training is not just recommended — it is expected by regulators and, in many cases, a condition of employment.
What Is Safeguarding?
Safeguarding means protecting people’s health, wellbeing, and human rights, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect. It covers both children (under 18) and adults at risk (formerly called ‘vulnerable adults’).
Types of Abuse
Safeguarding training covers how to recognise the different types of abuse:
- Physical abuse — hitting, pushing, restraint, over-medication
- Emotional/psychological abuse — threats, humiliation, isolation, gaslighting
- Sexual abuse — any sexual act without consent
- Financial abuse — theft, fraud, coercion over financial matters
- Neglect — failure to provide adequate care, food, warmth, or medical attention
- Self-neglect — hoarding, poor self-care, refusing help
- Organisational abuse — systemic poor practice within an institution
- Modern slavery — forced labour, trafficking, domestic servitude
- Discriminatory abuse — abuse based on protected characteristics
Who Needs Safeguarding Training?
- Care home staff — CQC expects all staff to be trained (full mandatory training list)
- Schools and nurseries — all staff including volunteers, governors, and supply teachers
- NHS and healthcare staff
- Charities and voluntary organisations working with vulnerable groups
- Sports coaches and youth workers
- Taxi drivers — many councils now require safeguarding awareness
- Hospitality staff — hotels and licensed premises may need it for modern slavery awareness
Levels of Safeguarding Training
Safeguarding training is typically delivered at different levels:
- Level 1 (Awareness) — for all staff, covers basic awareness of abuse types and reporting
- Level 2 (Intercollegiate) — for staff with regular contact with children or adults at risk
- Level 3 (Lead/Designated) — for designated safeguarding leads (DSLs) and managers
What to Do If You Have a Concern
Safeguarding training teaches a clear process: recognise, respond, report, record. You should never investigate yourself — your role is to report concerns to the designated safeguarding lead or, if a person is in immediate danger, to the police.
Safeguarding Training in Cumbria
We deliver safeguarding adults and safeguarding children training at our Penrith centre and on-site at workplaces across Cumbria. We also offer online safeguarding courses. View our health and social care training or contact us to book.