Safeguarding for Managers and Safeguarding Leads
Level:
CPD
Duration:
3 hrs
Course code:
TD/2025/09074
Max group:
12
Essential training for managers and safeguarding leads to enhance leadership in child protection
Course Summary
Safeguarding for Managers and Safeguarding Leads
This course is designed for managers and safeguarding leads to equip them with the strategic knowledge and leadership skills necessary for ensuring effective safeguarding practices within their organizations. Participants will learn how to create a robust safeguarding culture, manage safeguarding risks, support staff, and implement best practices in line with national legislation and guidelines. The course focuses on developing a leadership approach that promotes proactive, collaborative, and accountable safeguarding strategies to protect vulnerable individuals. Through case studies, practical exercises, and expert insights, this course will empower managers and safeguarding leads to confidently lead safeguarding efforts, ensure staff are adequately supported and trained, and drive continuous improvement in safeguarding practices across their organization. Key Learning Objectives: By the end of this course, participants will be able to: Understand Strategic Safeguarding Responsibilities Identify the key roles and responsibilities of managers and safeguarding leads in ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals. Understand relevant safeguarding legislation, policies, and frameworks, including the Children Act, Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act, and "Working Together to Safeguard Children." Create and Lead a Safeguarding Culture Develop a safeguarding strategy that aligns with organizational values and promotes a culture of vigilance and proactive safeguarding. Set clear safeguarding priorities and ensure that safeguarding is embedded in all aspects of organizational practice. Lead by example, ensuring that safeguarding is a shared responsibility across all levels of the organization. Risk Management and Incident Response Develop and implement robust risk assessment processes to identify potential safeguarding risks within the organization. Effectively manage safeguarding incidents, from identifying concerns to reporting, responding, and escalating where necessary. Understand the procedures for liaising with external agencies, including local authorities, police, and healthcare professionals. Support and Supervise Safeguarding Staff Provide ongoing support and supervision to staff working with vulnerable individuals, ensuring they are equipped to handle safeguarding concerns appropriately. Promote staff well-being, address burnout, and foster an environment of open communication regarding safeguarding challenges. Implement a clear process for performance management related to safeguarding responsibilities. Ensure Compliance with Safeguarding Policies and Procedures Develop, review, and ensure the implementation of comprehensive safeguarding policies and procedures. Conduct regular audits and assessments to monitor compliance and identify areas for improvement. Ensure that all staff are trained and familiar with safeguarding procedures and are held accountable for maintaining high standards. Foster Effective Multi-Agency Collaboration Understand the importance of inter-agency working in safeguarding and establish protocols for sharing information with relevant partners. Build and maintain strong relationships with external safeguarding agencies to ensure a coordinated approach to child protection and vulnerability prevention. Lead or participate in safeguarding case conferences and meetings, ensuring that the organization is contributing to the wider safeguarding network. Promote Continuous Learning and Improvement Develop systems to monitor, evaluate, and review safeguarding practice and outcomes. Encourage a learning culture where staff are regularly trained, supported, and provided with feedback on safeguarding cases. Lead the organization in reflecting on incidents and identifying areas for improvement to prevent future harm. Lead Safeguarding in Crisis Situations Respond to safeguarding concerns in high-pressure or emergency situations. Develop contingency plans for safeguarding in the event of organizational change, emergencies, or crisis scenarios. Ensure that safeguarding remains a priority even in challenging or resource-constrained environments.
Course Contents
Module 1: Introduction to Safeguarding Leadership
Role of Managers and Safeguarding Leads
Understand responsibilities in safeguarding vulnerable individuals
Legal and ethical obligations: duty of care
Importance of safeguarding in organizational governanceSafeguarding Legislation and Policy Overview
Key laws and frameworks:
Children Act 1989
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act
Working Together to Safeguard Children
Local and national safeguarding standards and regulations
Interpreting and applying legislation in the organizational context
Module 2: Building and Embedding a Safeguarding Culture
Developing a Safeguarding Strategy
Establish a clear safeguarding vision aligned with organizational values
Integrate safeguarding into structures and daily operations
Communicate strategy organization-widePromoting a Safeguarding Mindset
Create a culture of vigilance, respect, and proactivity
Lead by example, set expectations
Identify and overcome barriers to effective safeguarding
Module 3: Risk Management and Safeguarding Incident Response
Identifying and Assessing Safeguarding Risks
Use tools and techniques for safeguarding risk assessments
Manage different types of risk: neglect, abuse (physical, sexual, emotional)
Develop and implement risk mitigation plansResponding to Safeguarding Concerns
Follow steps for reporting, investigating, and responding
Manage complex cases and intervention thresholds
Use escalation protocols and decision-making frameworksWorking with External Agencies
Build relationships with safeguarding partners (e.g., social care, police, NHS)
Know when/how to escalate to external bodies
Coordinate multi-agency responses and participate in case conferences
Module 4: Supervising and Supporting Safeguarding Staff
Staff Training and Development
Ensure staff are trained to recognize and act on safeguarding issues
Tailor training by role (frontline, management, leadership)
Offer regular updates and refresher trainingSupervising Safeguarding Practice
Provide regular supervision and support
Address emotional impacts and stress from safeguarding work
Encourage reflective practice and incident learningPerformance Management and Accountability
Set clear expectations for safeguarding conduct
Hold staff accountable and address poor performance
Promote continuous improvement
Module 5: Developing and Implementing Safeguarding Policies and Procedures
Safeguarding Policies: Design and Review
Include elements: recruitment, reporting, response, monitoring
Align with legal duties and best practices
Review and update policies regularlyProcedure Development
Create accessible, practical safeguarding procedures
Customize for specific contexts (e.g., children, adults, online safety)
Ensure staff understand and follow proceduresEnsuring Policy Compliance and Effectiveness
Conduct audits and self-assessments
Monitor through feedback, incident reviews, and outcomes
Module 6: Collaboration and Multi-Agency Working
Importance of Multi-Agency Collaboration
Understand benefits and challenges
Clarify partner roles and responsibilitiesInformation Sharing Protocols
Follow legal and ethical principles
Set secure, effective protocols for data sharingLeading Multi-Agency Safeguarding Efforts
Lead or contribute to safeguarding meetings and case conferences
Facilitate coordinated, holistic responses
Module 7: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Continuous Improvement
Monitoring Safeguarding Performance
Set KPIs for safeguarding outcomes
Use data and case reviews to track effectiveness
Regularly review against organizational goalsEvaluating Safeguarding Practice
Evaluate responses and interventions
Collect feedback from staff, service users, and partnersDriving Continuous Improvement
Reflect on incidents to inform future practice
Promote learning culture from both success and failure
Adapt to evolving best practices
Module 8: Leading Safeguarding in Crisis and Emergency Situations
Safeguarding During Emergencies
Develop contingency plans
Maintain safeguarding during organizational stress or changeCrisis Leadership in Safeguarding
Make safeguarding a priority during high-pressure situations
Support staff and service users during emergencies
Assessment
The instructor conducts a single written assessments at the end of the course. Upon successful completion, learners will receive a three-year Level 3 Award in Principles of Safeguarding and Protecting Children, Young People or Vulnerable Adults (Level 6 in Scotland). No external assessors are required for this qualification.
Duration
The course requires a minimum of 7 hours, distributed over the day. While it is ideal to complete the course in one day, we can adjust the schedule to suit your specific needs, as long as the course is completed within 3 weeks of starting and each training session lasts at least two hours.
Certification Validity
This qualification has no formal expiry, however regular CPD and updates are recommended.
Further Information - Course Numbers
A maximum of 12 students can be accommodated on this course and all candidates must be a minimum of 18 years of age to qualify.
Assessment method: Activities, test paper.
Pre-requisite: None
Suggested progression:
recommended refresher training and CPD;