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RCGP Safeguarding toolkit

Introduction

Welcome to the RCGP Safeguarding toolkit. This toolkit builds on the previous RCGP Child Safeguarding toolkit and RCGP Adult Safeguarding toolkit and combines both into one toolkit, aligned with the new RCGP Safeguarding Standards. The new standards are a whole-life course document covering both child and adult safeguarding, recognising that there are overlapping knowledge and capabilities in general practice.

Safeguarding in general practice has evolved significantly in recent years. General practice is a key partner in the multi-agency arena of safeguarding. Safeguarding can only be effective when professionals and agencies work together in partnership. Across the four UK nations, there are many similarities in safeguarding practice. There are, however, different legislations and local processes. This toolkit covers core knowledge that is applicable to all four nations and outlines some of the key differences in each nation. However, all practitioners need to be aware of the legislation, guidance and processes as it applies in their UK nation, which are highlighted later in this section.

Safeguarding in general practice can be defined as:

Contributing to the protection of children and adults from abuse and neglect using the specific skills, resources and capacity available in general practice by:

  • implementing professional safeguarding responsibilities which includes continual professional development in safeguarding
  • preventing abuse and neglect
  • identifying abuse and neglect
  • responding appropriately to abuse and neglect, including supporting victims and survivors of abuse
  • having governance systems and processes in place to support safeguarding
  • working collaboratively with other health colleagues, safeguarding partners and agencies.

The aim of this toolkit is to enhance the safeguarding knowledge and skills that GPs already have to enable them to continue to effectively safeguard children and young people, as well as adults at risk of harm.

Intended audience

This toolkit is for any GP or GP specialty trainee working in general practice in the UK and will also be useful for any practitioner working in general practice. Everyone is at a different stage in their GP career. For those who are new to general practice, or general practice in the UK, we recommend first completing the RCGP eLearning course on Core safeguarding in general practice (Level 3). These modules provide an overview of safeguarding in general practice in the UK and will also be useful to any practitioner as a safeguarding update or refresher. Completing the modules, along with the essential reading list below, will provide a solid background in safeguarding. 

Essential reading list

This reading list is essential in understanding the principles of adult and child safeguarding, and should form part of your core knowledge around safeguarding: