Safeguarding Awareness “First Contact”
This course introduces the essentials of recognising, responding to, and reporting safeguarding concerns at the first point of contact, helping learners understand their responsibilities in keeping individuals safe from harm.
Learning Outcomes
The Safeguarding Awareness: First Contact course provides learners with a strong foundation in recognising and responding to safeguarding concerns at the earliest stage. The session begins with an overview of the key legislation and guidance that shapes safeguarding practice, ensuring participants understand the legal duties and responsibilities placed on all those working with adults at risk.
Learners will explore the definition of adult abuse and examine the many forms it can take, including physical, emotional, financial, sexual, organisational, and neglect. The course highlights the importance of recognising both obvious and subtle signs and symptoms, helping participants build the confidence to identify concerns even when they are not immediately clear.
The session also addresses why abuse is sometimes not reported, discussing barriers such as fear, shame, communication difficulties, dependency, or lack of awareness. By understanding these challenges, learners can better appreciate the importance of creating safe, trusting environments where individuals feel able to speak out.
Participants will be guided through the essential “Do’s and Don’ts” of responding to disclosures, ensuring that reactions are calm, supportive, and appropriate. This includes knowing what to say, what not to promise, and how to avoid actions that could compromise safety or evidence.
A crucial part of the course focuses on reporting and recording responsibilities. Learners will examine how to pass on concerns correctly, what information to document, and why accurate, timely recording is vital for effective safeguarding. The session also signposts where to access additional support, advice, and resources to help guide decision-making in complex situations.
By the end of this course, participants will feel more confident in recognising abuse, responding safely, and taking the necessary steps to protect individuals from harm at the first point of contact.
By the end of this course, participants will have a clear understanding of what adult abuse is, how to recognise early signs and disclosures, and what their responsibilities are in responding, reporting, and recording concerns to ensure individuals are protected from harm at the first point of contact.
- Understanding the legislative context
- Understanding the different types of abuse and how to recognise them
- Recognise some signs and symptoms of abuse
- Understanding your responsibilities relating to reporting and recording
- Examining the Do’s and Don’ts of responding to disclosures
- £38.50(LSCP Members)
- £50.00(Non-Members)
In order to attend any of these sessions a booking form needs to be completed (even for sessions ‘Free to Members’, as we need to account for room capacity and a fair distribution of free places among organisations).