Safeguarding & behaviour support

Safeguarding Children and Young Adults (POCA)

A three-part course covering the law and framework behind safeguarding, how to recognise abuse and exploitation in their different forms, and how to respond, report and document a concern correctly. Aligned to Level 1 and Level 2 of the intercollegiate safeguarding competency framework.

3 parts20 sections total≈ 90 min combined

Part 1

Understanding Safeguarding — Law & Framework

What safeguarding means, who's responsible, the key legislation (POCA, the Children Acts, the Human Rights Act), and how safeguarding works in Scotland.

5 sections · ≈ 25 min

Start 2

Part 2

Recognising Abuse, Exploitation & Risk

The four main types of abuse, trafficking and modern slavery, child sexual exploitation, missing children, FGM, radicalisation, and what can mask abuse from view.

8 sections · ≈ 40 min

Start 3

Part 3

Responding, Reporting & Documenting

Preventing and reporting abuse, handling a disclosure, documenting a concern correctly, training requirements, and a final summary and self-check.

7 sections · ≈ 25 min

Start

Please note: this course discusses child abuse, exploitation and neglect factually and in a professional training context, in line with UK safeguarding guidance. If you're affected personally by anything covered here, the NSPCC helpline (0808 800 5000) and Childline (0800 1111, for under-19s) are both available for support.

Why this course is in three parts

This is one of the most comprehensive courses on the site, covering law, recognition, and response in real depth. Rather than one very long page, it's split into three focused sittings — understand the framework first, learn to recognise the signs, then know exactly how to respond. Complete them in order, or jump to the part most relevant to a concern you're facing right now.