Safeguarding Adults: Basic Awareness (2012)

Key changes in legislation regarding vulnerable adults have made this e-learning course essential training for those working as adult carers. Recognition of abuse and its causes are covered in depth, as are the legal position and issues of risk management. Real-life case studies bring the theory into sharp focus.

The course provides a highly effective way to raise awareness and equip workers with the underpinning knowledge and key skills to identify abuse and take appropriate action. It is aimed at anyone who works with adults or is in the position of providing training in the safeguarding of vulnerable adults.

This course can be used in addition to conventional training and is a useful alternative for those who prefer to work at their own pace and at a time and place of their choosing.

Unit Titles and Descriptions

Unit 1 - About the Course

Unit 2 - Basic Awareness in Safeguarding Adults
This unit introduces key definitions in Safeguarding Adults. Using real-life case studies, the unit contextualises issues underpinning Safeguarding Adults. After completing this unit learners will feel more confident in dealing with situations involving vulnerable adults. Understanding Basic Awareness assists practitioners to identify vulnerable adults and work towards protecting their welfare.

Unit 3 - The Role of the Practitioner in Safeguarding Adults
This unit helps learners to understand what is expected of someone who alerts others to abuse and how to deal with disclosure. Although methods for dealing with disclosure may differ slightly depending on local procedures, this unit provides general guidance about what to do and who to contact if there is a suspicion that abuse is taking place. The unit concludes by providing a brief introduction to the legal framework that supports vulnerable adults.

Unit 4 - The Role of the Investigator in Safeguarding Adults
This unit focuses on the role of the investigator. After completing this unit, learners will become familiar with the local agencies relevant to investigations of vulnerable adults. The unit provides learners with a clear understanding of the context in which different agencies operate and differences between inter-agency procedures. The unit concludes by looking at the types of plans, meetings and discussions which are part of an investigation of abuse.

Learning Objectives: at the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Identify key principles in Adult Safeguarding, as outlined in the "No Secrets" policy
• Define the terms protection, abuse and vulnerability
• Recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse and identify different types
• Describe risk management and prevention in relation to vulnerable adults
• Explain how to raise a concern about abuse
• Describe the procedure for ''alerting''
• Identify procedures for ''whistle blowing''
• Recognise the effects of abuse in those who have to deal with it
• List laws relevant to protecting vulnerable adults
• Name the relevant local agencies involved in investigations of vulnerable adults
• Differentiate between the roles and responsibilities of member agencies
• Identify inter-agency procedures
• Describe what a strategy discussion is and who attends
• Explain what is meant by an Adult Safeguarding Plan.

A Safeguarding Children course is also available.