Train staff to recognise and respond to safeguarding risks
Equip every team member with the necessary depth of safeguarding knowledge. Support compliance with role-appropriate Level 1, Level 2 or Designated Safeguarding Lead training, delivered fully online and CPD-certified.
Every Human Focus course is independently reviewed and certified to ensure accuracy, legal compliance and relevance to industry standards. You get training that helps build capability, supports compliance and delivers credentials your workforce and regulators can trust.
Human Focus is a leading health and safety training provider, offering a wide range of online courses that provide guidance for both general and specific work areas. Online training offers benefits such as:
We provide CPD-certified online safeguarding courses specific to working with children and adults. Both pathways offer comprehensive and up-to-date training to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to recognise, prevent, and respond effectively to instances of abuse, neglect, or exploitation in their field.
In England, an estimated 640,240 concerns of vulnerable adult abuse were raised during 2024-25, according to the Department of Health & Social Care. Of the 402,400 children in need in England in 2025 assessed by the Department for Education, 58% had abuse or neglect identified as their primary need at assessment. These statistics emphasise the need for proactive measures to address abuse and safeguard vulnerable individuals.
Training teaches users to identify signs of abuse and take appropriate action to prevent harm and ensure the safety and well-being of those at risk. By raising awareness, developing knowledge and promoting a culture of vigilance, these courses play a significant role in breaking the cycle of abuse and protecting children and adults at risk.
Every individual who comes into contact with a child or adults at risk has a responsibility and a role to help keep them safe. If your work involves interacting with or providing services to vulnerable children and adults in the UK, you must understand the relevant safeguarding laws and regulations.
Key legislation, statutory guidance and frameworks that underpin safeguarding responsibilities include:
Safeguarding children
Safeguarding adults at risk
Cross-cutting safeguarding legislation and guidance
Online Safety Act 2023, where relevant to regulated online services or online environments
Our safeguarding courses are designed for those who work with children and adults at risk, such as teachers, school staff, care home workers, volunteers and social workers. Participants will receive a training certificate after successfully completing each e-Learning programme.
Safeguarding training in safeguarding teaches staff how to recognise, respond to and report concerns about abuse, neglect, exploitation or harm. It helps learners understand safeguarding responsibilities, identify warning signs, follow reporting procedures and take appropriate action to protect children, adults at risk and other vulnerable individuals.
The depth of training required depends on a person’s role, sector and level of contact with those who may be at risk.
The six principles of safeguarding are:
These principles are set out in statutory guidance for adult safeguarding, but they are also useful for building a person-centred safeguarding culture across organisations.
Poor practice in safeguarding refers to actions or behaviours that fall below expected standards when working with children or vulnerable adults. This may not always be deliberate abuse, but it can create risks or allow harm to occur. Examples include:
Failing to follow safeguarding procedures (e.g. not reporting concerns or delays in reporting)
Ignoring signs of abuse or neglect
Breaching confidentiality inappropriately
Using inappropriate language or behaviour
Not maintaining professional boundaries
Inadequate supervision or lack of staff training
Poor practice undermines trust, weakens safeguarding systems, and may allow abuse or harm to continue unchallenged. Staff must understand what constitutes poor practice to avoid mistakes and uphold their legal and ethical responsibilities.
There is no single safeguarding law that applies to every organisation in the same way. Legal and statutory requirements depend on the sector, role and people being supported.
For example, schools and colleges must follow statutory safeguarding guidance, early years providers must meet EYFS safeguarding and welfare requirements, registered health and social care providers must protect service users from abuse and improper treatment, and specified authorities must comply with the Prevent Duty.
Organisations should ensure staff receive training appropriate to their role, responsibilities and level of contact with children or adults at risk.
A Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is the person responsible for leading safeguarding within an organisation. They manage concerns, support staff, keep records, make referrals and help ensure safeguarding procedures are followed.
DSLs should complete role-specific Designated Safeguarding Lead training for children or adults, depending on who they work with. This training should be refreshed regularly in line with sector guidance and organisational policy.
Both safeguarding children and adults training is structured into three distinct levels.
These levels are role-based rather than sequential, so learners do not need to complete Level 1 before taking Level 2 or DSL training.
Training refresh frequency depends on sector and role: In schools and colleges (KCSIE 2025): all staff must receive training updates at least annually. DSLs must update their training at least every two years — though best practice is annually. In adult social care: refresh in line with CQC requirements and organisational policy, typically every 1–2 years. In charities and voluntary organisations: the Charity Commission recommends training is reviewed whenever statutory guidance is updated.
At minimum, all staff should refresh training whenever significant changes to legislation or guidance occur — such as the Working Together 2026 update.
Online safeguarding courses offer flexibility, accessibility and cost-effectiveness. You can complete any course at your own pace and from anywhere with internet access. Online learning is also generally more affordable as it avoids the overheads of in-person training
Yes. Our safeguarding courses are certified by the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) certification service.
To get your training certificate, you must participate in the course content and pass all assessments. All courses are online, and assessments are usually multiple choice, depending on the level of training you’re completing. After you’ve completed the necessary assessments, you’ll be able to download and print your certificate immediately.
Yes. Our Bespoke Training Solutions allow you to convert your internal content into professional, task-specific online safety training. Get in touch to learn more.
Yes. Discounted rates are available for bulk purchases. Visit any course page and click on ‘Discount’ beneath the ‘Buy Now’ button for more details.
