Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and aims to protect the rights, welfare, and well-being of children and young people from any form of abuse, neglect, or harm. Several factors can make children and young people more vulnerable to abuse harm, or hazards, including their age, physical, digital safety, mental health, and socioeconomic conditions. In this course, you will learn about the causes and signs of various types of abuse, such as physical and emotional abuse, that children and vulnerable adults may experience. Abuse, regardless of when it is experienced, can have long-term effects on a person’s mental and physical well-being.  

By the end of the course, you will:

• Understand collective and individual responsibilities in keeping children and young people safe.
• Gain an understanding of the impacts of abuse on the lived experience of children and young people and the responsibilities of caregivers when caring for and about children and young people who have experienced abuse and adversity. 
• Protect children and young people through a collaborative approach involving multiple agencies. 
• Create a safe environment, be clear about other professionals’ roles and tasks in meeting children or young people and provide care plans safely. 
• Identify signs and symptoms of abuse and recognise the types of abuse children young people may be exposed to.
• Advocate for the well-being of children and young people. 
• You will also learn about the fundamental principles underpinning safeguarding for children and young people. 
• Respond to allegations, disclosure, and concerns.
• The course will also explain the process of recognising, responding to, recording, and referring, the significance of taking concerns seriously, and the actions taken after a referral. 
• Complete and maintain effective record-keeping and report writing.