Level 2 Safeguarding for Dentists

This is an online training course designed to support the learning requirements for the dental staff working in a clinical capacity, and all non-clinical staff who have duties that require a more in-depth involvement with children or vulnerable adults. This training builds upon the knowledge gained from the Level 1 Safeguarding for Dentists course.

Within the course, there are variants for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. You can choose the most appropriate option at the start of the course.

On completion of this course, the learner will have a better understanding of:

• What is involved in the role of a Designated Safeguarding Lead
• Protection legislation and processes
• Working with both statutory and non-statutory agencies
• Identifying concerns/making referrals
• Handling allegations and complaints

At the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Describe the role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead
• Relate to national statutory guidance created to promote welfare, safeguard and protect children and vulnerable adults
• Ensure that good safeguarding and child/adult protection practice is embedded within your organisation
• Demonstrate understanding of statutory and non-statutory roles in protecting children/adults
• Be able to deal with safeguarding concerns and referrals on behalf of the organisation
• Ensure adequate advice, support, information, induction, instruction and training for staff is available within the organisation
• Respond to allegations and complaints

This module will give you an overview of the responsibilities of the Designated Professional or Named Professional and the pre-requisites needed to undertake the role as a Designated Safeguarding Lead. It will also begin to introduce the differences and similarities between adult and child safeguarding.

By the end of the module, you will understand the qualities and skills that are required to be a successful Designated Safeguarding Lead and the requirements for taking up the role.

It is important that you have refreshed your knowledge and are ready to include basic protection awareness into the learning that will follow. So, this section of the course will take you through some familiar ground.

By the end of this module, you will have refreshed your knowledge of the different kinds of abuse you may encounter and what signs could indicate someone is a victim of abuse. We will also remind you of the importance of impartiality about abuse and the need to remain child- and person-focused.

As well as informing you of the legal framework, this module will also discuss relevant guidance and assessment frameworks.

Where appropriate, the course is designed to meet the needs of:

• The Rights of Children and Young Persons Measure (Wales)
• Getting It Right for Every Child (Scotland)
• Understanding the Needs of Children in Northern Ireland (Northern Ireland)
• Working Together to Safeguard Children (England)

By the end of the module, you will be able to understand the relationship between the guidance and the law, and you will know your role within the protection process.

The Safeguarding Lead is pivotal in maintaining an effective protection process and a culture of safeguarding within any organisation. This module is key to understanding the function of the Designated Safeguarding Lead and the importance of the role.

By the end of this module, you will have a better understanding of how to act as a central contact for safeguarding, your role in compiling or creating policies, and when and where to seek advice or guidance if needed.

One of the areas that the Designated Safeguarding Lead and the Deputy must cover is the encouragement and maintenance of good lines of communication. Protection and safeguarding is much more effective when barriers to communication are removed and opportunities for disclosure and interdepartmental contact are maximised.

By the end of this module, you will better understand the need for clear communication, the importance of safe information sharing, and the role played by the Designated Safeguarding Lead Persons in creating a culture of communication.

The role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead will often require that they act as a pivotal point for a variety of agencies. An understanding of the roles of these agencies and the tools that they use will facilitate a fast, appropriate and effective response to a situation.

By the end of this module, you will understand the role of the Local Safeguarding Boards/Safeguarding Partners,  Safeguarding Board for NI or the Adult/Child Protection Committees, and how the various statutory and other agencies should work together. 

It is the right of families experiencing the safeguarding or child protection process to make a complaint if they feel the need. All complaints should be given equal attention, and part of the role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead is to ensure that the policy for dealing with complaints is appropriate and fair.

By the end of this module, you will have further understanding of the process for complaints, when other agencies should be involved, and how to process a complaint or allegation in the right way.

You will now take all that you have learned and apply it to an assessment of your knowledge. The final assessment is your opportunity to show how much you have absorbed and why it is so important to have child protection and safeguarding training.

Once you have passed your assessment, you will be able to download your certificate. Your pass rate will be 70% but don’t worry if you do not pass the first time, as you can take the test multiple times.

This section contains a range of sources of information, downloadable materials, further reading and resources that you may find useful.