About this course
Anyone working with or around children needs to recognise abuse and know how to act. This course covers the categories of abuse, indicators to watch for, and the safeguarding process from concern to referral.
It is aligned to current statutory guidance and explains the role of the designated safeguarding lead, record keeping and information sharing.
What learners cover
- The categories of abuse and neglect and their indicators
- Statutory guidance and the duty to safeguard children
- Responding to a disclosure from a child
- Recording concerns accurately and factually
- Referral routes and the role of the designated safeguarding lead
- Information sharing and confidentiality
Course content
The course is delivered in short, bite-size sections that learners can stop and restart at any point.
- Section 1
Safeguarding basics
What safeguarding means, why it matters and who is responsible.
- Section 2
Types and signs of abuse
Physical, emotional, sexual abuse, neglect and contextual harms including online risk.
- Section 3
Responding to concerns
Handling a disclosure, what to say and what not to say, and immediate actions.
- Section 4
Reporting and recording
Records, referral routes, thresholds and escalation if nothing happens.
Who it is for
Staff and volunteers who work with children or families, including education, sport, healthcare, hospitality and community settings.
Entry requirements: None. Suitable for all staff and volunteers.
How it is delivered
Fully online and self-paced
Learners work through the course at their own pace and can pause and resume where they left off.
Any device
Works on desktop, laptop, tablet and mobile, with audio, video and written transcripts throughout.
Interactive throughout
Scenarios, exercises and images keep learners engaged rather than clicking through slides.
Knowledge checks
Short checks at the end of each section so learners can see what has landed before moving on.
Average completion time is around 1 hours, though learners can take as long as they need and return as often as they like.
How it is assessed
Knowledge checks run throughout the course so learners can test understanding as they go. The course finishes with a multiple-choice assessment taken online at the end. Learners who do not pass first time can retake the assessment.
Certification
Learners receive a Highfield Online Training digital certificate as soon as they pass the end-of-course assessment. Certificates are downloadable straight away and can be saved to a CPD log or staff training record.
Refresher guidance: Safeguarding training is usually refreshed every 12 months, with designated leads updating every two years.
How it works for teams
- 1. Choose how many licences you need and pay by card, or request an invoice.
- 2. Add your learners' names and email addresses.
- 3. We set them up on the course platform and they receive their login by email.
- 4. Track who has been set up from your account.