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Understanding Safeguarding: Protecting Vulnerable People

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Whether you work in health and social care, education, or community support, understanding what is safeguarding and knowing how to act when concerns arise is essential. Effective safeguarding training ensures that people at risk are protected and that professionals are confident, informed, and proactive.


At its core, safeguarding means protecting people’s right to live free from harm, neglect, and exploitation. It applies to both children and adults and extends across every environment, including homes, care settings, workplaces, and the community.


Hands forming a protective shield over a group of paper-cutout people, symbolising safeguarding and protection, with the Slanjava Learning Ltd logo and website displayed on a purple background.
Protecting vulnerable people starts with awareness. Our accredited safeguarding training empowers professionals to recognise, respond, and report concerns with confidence.

What Does Safeguarding Mean?

Safeguarding meaning refers to the actions, systems, and culture designed to prevent abuse or neglect, protect those at risk, and respond appropriately when concerns arise.

For adults, the Care Act 2014 defines safeguarding as:

“Protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect.” (scie.org.uk)

For children, safeguarding means:

Protecting children from maltreatment, preventing impairment of health or development, ensuring safe and effective care, and enabling all children to have the best outcomes. (gov.uk)

Modern safeguarding practice recognises that people are not inherently vulnerable. Rather, certain circumstances, such as illness, disability, or isolation, can place them at risk of abuse or neglect.


Principles of Safeguarding

Safeguarding practice is built on a foundation of shared values. The principles of safeguarding provide a framework for effective decision-making:

  • Empowerment – supporting people to make their own decisions and give informed consent.

  • Prevention – acting before harm occurs.

  • Proportionality – using the least intrusive response appropriate to the risk.

  • Protection – supporting those in greatest need.

  • Partnership – working collaboratively across agencies and communities.

  • Accountability – ensuring transparency and shared responsibility.


These principles underpin safeguarding legislation, guidance, and organisational policies. Safeguarding should be woven into the culture of every workplace, not treated as a one-off requirement.


Why Understanding Safeguarding Is Everyone’s Responsibility

The tragic case of Victoria Climbié, which led to major reforms in UK safeguarding law, reminds us that safeguarding failures often stem from poor communication and missed opportunities across agencies.


In practice, this means every professional, not just those with safeguarding in their job title, has a duty to notice, record, and report concerns promptly. Everyone must play their part in protecting others and keeping the person at the centre of all decisions.


Recognising Abuse and Neglect

Understanding the signs of abuse is essential. Common categories of abuse include:

  • Physical abuse – non-accidental injury or harm.

  • Sexual abuse – any sexual activity where consent is not freely given or understood.

  • Emotional abuse – persistent emotional maltreatment causing harm to wellbeing.

  • Neglect – failure to meet basic physical or psychological needs.

  • Financial, discriminatory, organisational, domestic and online abuse – each with specific indicators and consequences.


Recognising these warning signs through training and vigilance allows earlier intervention and can prevent serious harm.


What is Safeguarding? (BSL) – A clear and accessible guide on recognising what safeguarding means, understanding your responsibilities, and learning how to report concerns in a safe and inclusive way.

How to Report Concerns

Knowing how to report concerns is a vital part of safeguarding. Many people hesitate out of fear of being wrong, embarrassment, or uncertainty about procedures. Common barriers include:

  • Fear of not being believed

  • Worry about making a situation worse

  • Not knowing who to contact

  • Concerns about confidentiality


Effective safeguarding training removes these barriers by giving people confidence and clarity about reporting routes.


Here are key steps to take:

  1. Recognise the signs, including any form of abuse, neglect, or behaviour that raises concern.

  2. Respond calmly and sensitively, listening without judgment or promise of secrecy.

  3. Record exactly what you have seen or heard, using the person’s own words.

  4. Report your concerns to your Designated Safeguarding Lead or directly to social care or the police if someone is in immediate danger.


Information Sharing and the “Golden Rules”

Timely information sharing can save lives.

“No individual should assume that someone else will pass on information which may be critical to keeping a child safe.”

The UK guidance Information Sharing: Advice for Safeguarding Practitioners (2015) outlines the seven golden rules:

  1. The Data Protection Act is not a barrier to sharing information.

  2. Be open and honest.

  3. Seek advice if unsure.

  4. Share with consent where appropriate.

  5. Consider safety and wellbeing.

  6. Ensure information shared is necessary, relevant, accurate and timely.

  7. Keep clear written records.


When in doubt, share. It is better to act than to risk silence leading to harm.


Organisational Roles and Responsibilities

Every organisation must have clear safeguarding policies and reporting structures. The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or equivalent serves as the main point of contact for concerns.


The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is responsible for managing safeguarding concerns, maintaining records, and ensuring all staff know how to report issues. They act as the link between the organisation and external agencies such as social services or the police. A well-trained DSL ensures consistent, timely, and appropriate responses to safeguarding concerns.


A good safeguarding policy should include:

  • Legal framework and principles

  • Clear reporting and recording procedures

  • Staff training requirements

  • Whistleblowing and complaints processes

  • Links to other workplace policies such as equality, e-safety, and recruitment


Embedding these within a positive safeguarding culture ensures that everyone understands their role in protecting others.


Why Safeguarding Training Matters

Formal safeguarding training ensures that professionals and volunteers:

  • Understand key safeguarding legislation and guidance.

  • Can recognise indicators of abuse or neglect.

  • Know how to record and report disclosures appropriately.

  • Are aware of their own boundaries and responsibilities.

  • Build confidence to act quickly and effectively.


At Slanjava Learning Ltd, we deliver accredited safeguarding qualifications that give learners these essential skills:

  • RQF Level 1 Award in Awareness of Safeguarding – an introduction for anyone supporting children or adults at risk.

  • RQF Level 3 Award in Principles of Safeguarding and Protecting Children, Young People or Vulnerable Adults – a deeper understanding of responsibilities, legislation and responding to concerns.

  • Safeguarding Train the Trainer Course – designed to help organisations cascade safeguarding knowledge confidently across teams.


Training transforms awareness into competence, ensuring safeguarding is more than policy; it is practice.


Creating Safer Workplaces and Communities

Safeguarding is not a tick-box exercise. It is about awareness, culture, and collective accountability. By ensuring your staff and volunteers are trained, confident and supported, you create safer environments for everyone.


If you would like to learn more about our safeguarding training courses, visit our Safeguarding Training page or contact us directly.



Kind regards,

Slanjava Learning Ltd | Helping others to help others

Award-winning Health & Social Care Training

-slàinte mhath-


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