Safeguarding

Safeguarding and Training

The National Safeguarding Learning, Development and Training Framework in Wales provides a structured approach to safeguarding training for professionals in social care, education and across the voluntary and community sector. Aligned with the Social Services and Wellbeing Act 2014, it sets out 6 role specific groups to ensure tailored training for professionals at every level and emphasises a consistent approach across Wales. The groupings are to be completed consecutively, to whatever level you need to reach.

Group A is an online session suitable for all practitioners, regardless of their contact level with vulnerable groups. You can access this course directly from the Social Care Wales website. It takes around 45 minutes to one hour to complete and should be refreshed every three years.

Group B is for all practitioners who have regular contact with adults, children and members of the public in their roles. This includes practitioners who aren’t registered or regulated and volunteers. A minimum of 6 hours of training, usually as a one day session. This level should be refreshed every 3 years.

Group C is for practitioners who undertake the safeguarding lead role, or, have an assessing, planning or protection role and will be the officers attending core group, conferencing and strategy meetings. A minimum of 8 hours training, sometimes delivered as half day sessions, can be online with a live tutor. This level should be refreshed every 3 years.

We anticipate that most people in the voluntary and community sector will not need to go beyond this level. However, the Framework also includes:

Group D – for roles that have specific child and/or adult safeguarding responsibilities, such as named professionals.

Professional development needs to have started as part of induction, or as soon as possible after starting in post. Professional development, and improving, learning and gaining increased understanding, skills and competence, will be an ongoing requirement.

A minimum of eight hours’ training within the probation period of a new role, plus training on safeguarding topics specific to the role.

Group E – for Strategic leaders and decision makers. Newly appointed practitioners in Group E complete a minimum of 6 months of safeguarding training, learning and development. This training can be agreed between the practitioner and their line manager. Practitioners will complete a minimum of 24 hours’ refresher training in every three-year period.

Group F – Public Service leaders need to complete group A – basic awareness and relevant bespoke training, learning and development such as corporate parenting, but may be called upon to discuss matters or issues at groups A to E. Training for a minimum of 6 hours. Newly appointed group F practitioners need to complete group A e-learning before starting work, in the induction period or their first six months.

There are many training providers out there competing for business and a quick Google search will show many online courses badged as one of the above groups but, available for completion in significantly less time than the hours defined by Social Care Wales. Always ensure that the course you are accessing is suitable and meets the standards set by Social Care Wales.

We run Safeguarding Training Courses throughout the year – to find out more click here.

For more information about the National safeguarding training, learning and development standards please click here.

The WCVA (Wales Council for Voluntary Action) have further information and resources available on their website here.

If you have any questions or require a course for your organisation, please email development@pavs.org.uk