JAN WEBB: Hello again. Well done for getting through weeks one, two, and three. I hope you’ve enjoyed it so far. The first few weeks of this course provided you with the refresher of some of the key basic fundamentals of safeguarding. For example, in week one, we refreshed ourselves on international safeguarding standards and principles, which can be applied to our work nationally or internally, and we used them in a case study. In week two, on identifying vulnerability and risk, we reminded ourselves of the safeguarding cycle, and how that can be used to help us in our journey. We explored criteria that makes people vulnerable to harm, and how the intersectionality of vulnerability increases the risk of harm.

We applied our learning to how to undertake data collection and research safely. In week three, we explored preventative measures that we could put in place when our organisations are working with children and vulnerable people. Such measures include conducting a risk assessment, safe recruitment, developing a clear code of conduct applicable to all, and safe programming. We also covered organisational duty of care to our own staff. And in the next few weeks, you will be learning how to provide clear and accountable mechanisms to support people to come forward to report their safeguarding concerns, how to respond when reports are made, and ensure that survivors feel safe by fostering an accountable organisational culture.

How to take care of yourself through reflective supervision and continually supporting organisational learning. In each week, we have recorded videos from safeguarding leads, at field sites just like you, who will be giving their perspective on their experience of safeguarding. Continue to share your thoughts and comments with each other on the discussion forum. And there are still lots of quizzes to test your understanding so far. Enjoy the rest of the course.