Safeguarding Children and Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults

1. Safeguarding Children and Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults

Welcome to the safeguarding training. 

This section is separated into two parts. The first part is about safeguarding children, the second part is about safeguarding adults. 

Please also ensure that you have read Aiming Higher's Safeguarding Children and Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Policy.

2. Safeguarding Children

This section will teach you how to recognise when a child may be suffering from abuse, and how you can keep children safe.

Please work through this section at your own pace. You can leave and return at any time to continue where you left off. 

If you find any of these topics distressing, or if you require any support, please let your line manager know.

2.1. Safeguarding Scenario

Please read through the scenario below.

2.2. Reporting your concerns

Please watch the video below.

In the video there are references to two different resources. The first is the gov.uk guidance called what to do if you're worried a child is being abused. This is available here and will open in a new window.

The second resource is Childline's Write someone a letter which is available here and will also open in a new window.

2.3. Signs of Neglect

Consider the possibility of neglect when the child:

• Is frequently absent from school
• Begs or steals food or money
• Lacks any required medical or dental care, immunisations, or glasses
• Is consistently dirty and has severe body odour
• Lacks sufficient clothing for the weather
• Abuses alcohol or other drugs
• States that there is no one at home to provide care
• Shows sudden changes in behaviour or school performance
• Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to the parents' attention
• Has learning problems (or difficulty concentrating) that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes
• Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen
• Lacks adult supervision
• Is overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn
• Comes to school or other activities early, stays late, and does not want to go home

Consider the possibility of neglect when the parent or other adult caregiver:

• Appears to be indifferent to the child
• Seems apathetic or depressed
• Behaves irrationally
• Is suspected of abusing alcohol or drugs
• Shows little concern for the child
• Denies the existence of, or blames the child for, the child's problems in school or at home
• Asks teachers or other caregivers to use harsh physical discipline if the child misbehaves
• Sees the child as entirely bad, worthless, or as an inconvenience
• Demands a level of physical or academic performance the child cannot achieve
• Looks primarily to the child for their own care, attention, and satisfaction of emotional needs

(Blackpool Council iPool, 2024)

2.4. Signs of Physical abuse

Consider the possibility of neglect when the parent or other adult caregiver:

• Appears to be indifferent to the child
• Seems apathetic or depressed
• Behaves irrationally
• Is suspected of abusing alcohol or drugs

Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the parent or other adult caregiver:

• Offers conflicting, unconvincing, or no explanation for the child's injury
• Describes the child as "evil," or in some other very negative way
• Uses harsh physical discipline with the child

(Blackpool Council iPool, 2024)

2.5. Signs of Sexual Abuse

(Blackpool Council iPool, 2024)

2.6. Signs of emotional abuse

(Blackpool Council iPool, 2024a)

3. Other types of abuse

Please work through the following sections that discuss other types of abuse.

3.1. Fabricated or Induced Illness

(Blackpool Council iPool, 2024a)

3.2. Child Trafficking

Child trafficking is a crime involving the movement of children for the purpose of their exploitation. Children are bought and sold for sexual exploitation, forced labour, street crime, domestic servitude or even the sale of organs. Children can be trafficked within their own countries and across international borders.

• Always maintain a child centred approach
• Make a note of everything you hear between the child and the adult with them
• Contact your line manager or Aiming Higher's Designated Safeguarding Lead as a matter of urgency

(Blackpool Council iPool, 2024a)

3.3. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

(Blackpool Council iPool, 2024a)

3.4. Radicalisation

(Blackpool Council iPool, 2024a)

3.5. Forced Marriage

'A forced marriage is one that is carried out without the consent of both people, meaning the victim(s) is/are pressured into marrying someone against their will. Those involved may be emotionally/physically blackmailed or threatened to go through with the marriage and may experience ‘honour’-based abuse for refusing. Forced marriage is very different to an arranged marriage, which both people will have agreed to.

Forced marriage is a criminal offence and an abuse of human rights, with no justification from any religious or cultural basis. It can affect men, women and children, and is a form of domestic and child abuse. It can also be linked to human slavery offences such as domestic servitude.' (Reducing the Risk of Domestic Abuse, 2023)

'The Forced Marriage Unit indicates that forced marriages happen because of:

• Controlling unwanted behaviour and sexuality, particularly that of women, and preventing ‘unsuitable’ relationships
• Peer group or family pressure
• Projecting perceived cultural or religious ideals which can often be misguided
• Attempting to strengthen family links
• Family honour or long-standing family commitments
• Ensuring land remains within the family
• Assisting claims for residence and citizenship
• Providing a carer for a disabled family member/reducing the ‘stigma’ of disability' (Reducing the Risk of Domestic Abuse, 2023)

3.6. Domestic Abuse

Please watch the video below. You can pause the video at any time to read at your own pace.

4. Taking Action

If you have any safeguarding concerns about any of the children that you work with in a professional capacity you must report this to your line manager and/or designated safeguarding lead. They will support you in making contact with the safeguarding/children's social care team in the relevant authority.

As a professional you cannot ask for your conversation to be anonymous. You will have to provide your details and these will be shared with the family. Children's Social Care must act if they believe the child needs help and anonymity cannot be guaranteed.

You may also need to complete a multiagency referral form.

4.1. What information should you provide?

(Blackpool Council, 2024a)

4.2. The Outcome

There may be several different outcomes to a referral. Blackpool council gives the following outcomes as possibilities:

- A social worker will conduct an assessment 

- Emergency protective action is taken to ensure the safety of the child/children 

- If a case is already open for that child, and new information suggests that the child is, or may be, suffering harm then a further assessment or investigation may need to take place 

- The child requires support from another agency 

- The referral does not require an assessment by Children's Social Care but support, advice and guidance from other agencies is required.

(Blackpool Council, 2024)

You may feel that you are not satisfied with the outcome of a referral. In the first instance you should discuss this with your line manager. Each authority has an escalation process, you may use this to raise your concerns.

5. Final message

That brings us to the end of the Safeguarding Children section. If you have any questions then please make a note of them and discuss them with your line manager. 

If you have been affected by any of the topics covered please discuss this with your line manager who will be able to help you directly or signpost you to someone who can.

5.1. Useful Contacts

Here you will find a variety of information, advice and guidance to support you in safeguarding children and young people across the Pan-Lancashire region. In transitioning from the formerly separate LSCB arrangements across three localities, the combined online presence aims to ensure that they continue to provide advice, guidance and content for partners and related agencies that is high-quality, up-to-date and can be used to ensure best practice and improved outcomes for children and young people across the Blackpool, Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen region. 

To access the service online, please go to: https://www.safeguardingpartnership.org.uk/

The NSPCC provides advice and support to adults who are concerned about the safety or welfare of a child. They're there 24 hours a day, every day by phone and online. It's free and you don't have to say who you are. NSPCC provides services in several languages, and also for deaf and hard‐of‐hearing people. 

You can talk with an NSPCC counsellor for free by calling: 0808 800 5000 To access the service online, please go to: www.nspcc.co.uk

ChildLine: is a counselling service for children and young people, which offers free 24‐hour help for those in the UK. If you are an adult and are worried about a child, please contact the NSPCC Helpline.    

ChildLine can be contacted on: 0800 1111

“Refuge offers a range of services which gives women and children access to professional support whatever their situation.  These services include a Freephone 24‐hour National Domestic Violence Helpline. Our helpline workers are there to give emotional support and practical information.  They help women explore their options and escape abuse.” 0808 2000 247 http://www.refuge.org.uk/

“NCB is the leading national charity which supports children, young people and families and those who work with them. Our vision is a society in which children and young people are valued, their rights respected and responsibilities enhanced; our mission, to advance the well‐being of children and young people across every aspect of their lives." http://www.ncb.org.uk/

“Barnardo’s transforms the lives of vulnerable children across the UK through the work of our projects, our campaigning and our research expertise. We believe we can bring out the best in every child whether the issue is child poverty, sexual exploitation, disability and domestic violence.”  http://www.barnardos.org.uk/

“Kidscape is committed to keeping children safe from abuse. Kidscape is the first charity in the UK established specifically to prevent bullying and child sexual abuse. Kidscape believes that protecting children from harm is key." www.kidscape.org.uk

“BASPCAN is primarily a membership association for professionals and volunteers working in the field of child protection who can demonstrate active participation or interest in the aims of the Association. It is the only multi‐disciplinary association of its kind in the UK, bringing together personnel from all agencies who work in the field with children in need, and with those who are abused and neglected.” http://www.baspcan.org.uk/

6. Safeguarding Adults

This next section discusses safeguarding vulnerable adults and your responsibilities as a professional. Please also refer to Aiming Higher's Safeguarding Policies.

Some of the topics discussed may be of a sensitive nature. If you feel that you would like some support around this please seek guidance from your line manager.

6.1. Who could be classed as a vulnerable adult?

Everyone has the right to live their life free from abuse, violence and fear. We should all be treated with respect and dignity, choose how to live our lives independently and receive support in doing this.

Definition of vulnerable adult

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities offers the following definition:

"The NHS defines vulnerable adults as any adult (person over the age of 18) unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves from exploitation.

Many factors can influence adult vulnerability, experiences of vulnerability in childhood may negatively impact adults in later life – particularly if someone has fewer protective factors in place, such as a supportive family or a stable household income." (Gov.uk, 2023)

Blackpool Council offer this definition:

"Adults at risk are people over the age of 18 years old who:

Are at risk of harm and unable to safeguard themselves as a result of having health or social care needs.
• Are unable to safeguard their own well-being, rights, property or other interests
• Are unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves from exploitation or significant harm.
• May have mental health issues, a disability, are old and frail or have some form of illness." (Blackpool Council, 2023)

6.2. What is meant by abuse?

7. Types of Abuse

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8. Is it abuse?

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8.1. Identifying abuse

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8.2. Next steps

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