Understanding Safeguarding for Children and Young People

Understanding Safeguarding for Children and Young People is a 12‑hour introductory course designed to help adults understand how to recognise, respond to and report safeguarding concerns. Delivered over six 2‑hour sessions, the course provides a clear, practical overview of the responsibilities involved in keeping children and young people safe.

Learners explore the different types of abuse and neglect, including physical, emotional and sexual harm, as well as wider safeguarding issues such as online risks, bullying, exploitation and unsafe environments. The course uses case studies, discussion and realistic scenarios to help learners understand how concerns may present in everyday situations and how to respond calmly and appropriately.

The course also covers safe boundaries, confidentiality, early help, and the importance of working within organisational or local safeguarding procedures. Learners gain confidence in recognising when a child may need support, how to record and share concerns, and when to escalate issues to professionals.

By the end of the course, adults will have a stronger understanding of safeguarding principles, feel more prepared to act when something doesn’t seem right, and understand how safeguarding contributes to the overall wellbeing and development of children and young people.