Safeguarding Children and Young People in Residential Childcare
Level:
CPD
Duration:
3 hrs
Course code:
TD/2025/09072
Max group:
12
Safeguard children and young people in residential care with key policies, practices, and skills



Course Summary
Safeguarding Children and Young People in Residential Childcare
This course is tailored for professionals working in residential childcare settings to equip them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to safeguard children and young people. Participants will learn about the legal frameworks, safeguarding policies, and the key practices required to identify and respond to abuse and neglect. Emphasis is placed on creating a safe, respectful, and nurturing environment that promotes the well-being of young people in care. Through real-life case studies and scenario-based exercises, learners will enhance their ability to manage safeguarding concerns and maintain a culture of safety and respect within residential care settings. Key Learning Objectives: Understand the fundamental principles of safeguarding children and young people in residential childcare. Gain an in-depth knowledge of key legislation and policies, including the Children Act 1989 and 2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children, and the Care Standards. Identify the different forms of abuse (physical, emotional, sexual, neglect) and recognize the signs and symptoms of each. Learn how to foster a safe and supportive environment that prioritizes the welfare and well-being of young people. Develop skills to effectively respond to disclosures of abuse, concerns about safety, and suspected cases of neglect. Understand the role of multi-agency collaboration in safeguarding and when to escalate concerns to appropriate authorities. Learn to implement effective risk assessments, safety planning, and safeguarding procedures in residential settings. Explore strategies to engage children and young people in safeguarding discussions and promote their participation in decision-making. Discuss the importance of maintaining professional boundaries, confidentiality, and ethical standards in safeguarding practices. Apply knowledge to real-world scenarios and case studies to develop practical problem-solving skills in safeguarding situations. By the end of the course, participants will be empowered with the skills and knowledge to identify, prevent, and respond to safeguarding concerns effectively, ensuring that children and young people in residential care are protected and supported in a safe, nurturing environment.





Course Contents
Module 1: Introduction to Safeguarding in Residential Childcare
Understanding safeguarding: definition and importance
The role of residential childcare workers in safeguarding
Key principles of safeguarding: promoting well-being and preventing harm
The impact of abuse and neglect on children and young people
The ethical responsibility of childcare professionals
Module 2: Legal and Regulatory Frameworks for Safeguarding
Overview of the Children Act 1989 and 2004
Understanding the Working Together to Safeguard Children guidelines
The Care Standards and regulatory bodies (e.g., Ofsted, CQC)
Legal responsibilities in reporting concerns
Confidentiality and information sharing: legal and ethical considerations
Module 3: Types of Abuse and Recognizing the Signs
Physical abuse: identifying injuries and behavior indicators
Emotional and psychological abuse: signs of emotional harm
Sexual abuse: recognizing the subtle and overt signs
Neglect: identifying neglect in children and young people in care
Institutional and peer abuse: understanding group dynamics and power imbalances
Module 4: Responding to Safeguarding Concerns and Disclosures
The importance of listening: creating a safe space for disclosures
How to respond to children or young people reporting abuse
Dealing with disclosure: immediate actions to take
Documenting and reporting safeguarding concerns
Handling confidentiality and sensitive information appropriately
Module 5: Creating a Safe Environment in Residential Settings
Developing a safeguarding culture: policies and procedures
Promoting positive behavior and preventing abuse in group settings
Training and awareness programs for staff and residents
Supervision, monitoring, and managing risk in residential care
Building trust and positive relationships with children and young people
Module 6: Risk Assessment and Safety Planning
Conducting risk assessments: identifying vulnerabilities and risks
Developing and implementing safeguarding plans for children and young people
Creating safety plans and risk reduction strategies
Monitoring and reviewing safety plans regularly
Engaging children and young people in risk assessment and safety planning
Module 7: Multi-Agency Collaboration and Working Together
The role of other agencies in safeguarding (social services, police, healthcare providers)
Effective communication between agencies: information sharing protocols
The role of independent advocacy in supporting children
Joint working: collaborating with families, social workers, and legal professionals
Escalating safeguarding concerns and making referrals
Module 8: Preventing Abuse and Promoting Welfare
Early intervention and prevention strategies: creating a proactive approach
The importance of staff training and continuing professional development
Promoting a child-centered approach: rights and participation
Building resilience in children and young people to protect against exploitation
Supporting positive mental health and well-being in children and young people
Module 9: Maintaining Professional Boundaries and Ethical Standards
Understanding boundaries: physical, emotional, and social
Preventing and addressing boundary violations
The importance of self-care for childcare workers
Ethical dilemmas in safeguarding: balancing protection with autonomy
Maintaining professionalism and accountability in safeguarding practice

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;