Adult Safeguarding & Protection Awareness — Scotland

Recognise concerns. Respond appropriately. Protect adults from harm.

Adult support and protection is everyone’s responsibility.

People working across care, Early Years, education, health, community services and other support roles may come into contact with adults who are experiencing, or are at risk of, harm. Knowing what to notice, what to say and what to do next can make a significant difference.

Our Adult Support & Protection Awareness (Scotland) course gives learners the knowledge and practical confidence to recognise possible signs of harm, respond appropriately to concerns or disclosures, record information accurately and follow the correct reporting and escalation procedures.

Designed specifically for practice in Scotland, the course explores the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007, the definition of an adult at risk, the three-point criteria, different forms of harm and the importance of balancing protection with rights, choice and dignity.

Realistic scenarios and reflective activities help learners move beyond simply knowing the terminology and consider what adult protection looks like in everyday practice.

What This Course Covers

• Professional curiosity and the importance of noticing changes
• How to respond when an adult tells you something is wrong
• What to say — and what not to say — following a disclosure
• The importance of not investigating concerns yourself
• Recording information clearly, accurately and objectively
• Reporting and escalating adult protection concerns
• Information sharing and confidentiality
• Rights, choice, consent and dignity
• Understanding professional boundaries and responsibilities
• Working with other professionals and services
• Reflecting on your own role in keeping adults safe

Who Is This Course For?

This course is suitable for anyone whose role may bring them into contact with adults who could be at risk of harm.

• Early Years practitioners and managers
• Childcare and family support staff
• Social care and support workers
• Residential and community-based staff
• Health and care professionals
• Support workers and personal assistants
• Education staff
• Third-sector and voluntary-sector workers
• Managers and team leaders
• Anyone requiring Adult Support & Protection awareness as part of their continuing professional learning

No previous Adult Support & Protection training is required.

Practical, Scenario-Based Learning

Adult protection concerns are rarely presented as a simple checklist.

A change in behaviour, an unusual explanation, financial concerns, a difficult relationship or something that simply does not feel right may all require practitioners to stop, think and consider what action is appropriate.

Throughout the course, learners work through realistic situations designed to strengthen professional judgement and confidence.

Rather than asking learners to diagnose abuse or investigate concerns, the course reinforces a clear practical approach:

Recognise. Respond. Record. Report.

Learners are encouraged to consider what they know, what they have observed, what should be recorded and who needs to be informed.

Understanding an Adult at Risk

The course explores Scotland’s legal definition of an adult at risk and helps learners understand why a person is not automatically considered an adult at risk simply because they have a disability, illness or support need.

Learners examine the three-point criteria and consider how a person’s circumstances, vulnerability and risk of harm need to be viewed together.

The course also explores the important distinction between an adult making a choice that others may disagree with and circumstances where the adult may be unable to safeguard their own wellbeing, property, rights or other interests.

Responding to Concerns

Knowing how to respond in the moment is an important part of Adult Support & Protection practice.

Learners will explore how to:

• Listen carefully and without judgement
• Take concerns and disclosures seriously
• Avoid asking leading or investigative questions
• Avoid promising complete confidentiality
• Reassure the person appropriately
• Record what was seen, heard or disclosed
• Follow organisational reporting procedures
• Escalate concerns when necessary
• Take immediate action where someone may be in danger

The course reinforces that your role is not to investigate concerns yourself, but to recognise, respond, record and report appropriately.

Rights, Choice and Protection

Supporting and protecting adults is not simply about removing risk.

Good adult protection practice also respects the person’s rights, wishes, dignity and involvement in decisions affecting their life.

The course therefore considers how practitioners can respond to risk without losing sight of the individual, and why interventions should be proportionate and focused on achieving benefit for the adult.

Course Format

Delivery: 100% online and self-paced
CPD: 3 CPD credits
Access: Complete online at a time that suits you
Assessment: Online final assessment
Certificate: Digital certificate issued following successful completion
Location: Scotland-focused
Suitable for: Individual learners and staff teams

Learners can stop and return to the course, allowing the training to be completed around work and other commitments.

Assessment and Certificate

At the end of the course, learners complete a final knowledge assessment covering the key areas explored throughout the training.

Successful learners receive a certificate confirming completion of:

Adult Support & Protection Awareness (Scotland)

The course provides 3 CPD credits and can be used as evidence of continuing professional learning and staff development.

Train Your Whole Team with the First Stop Learning Hub

This course is also included within the First Stop Learning Hub, our online CPD platform for Early Years and childcare settings.

Learning Hub members receive access to our growing library of online training courses for their team under one annual subscription.

Managers and team leaders can assign training, monitor progress and support ongoing staff development without purchasing every course separately.

Want access for your whole setting? Explore the First Stop Learning Hub.

Individual Access

Only need this course?

Adult Support & Protection Awareness (Scotland) can also be purchased individually, giving you online access to the complete course, assessment and certificate.

Enrol today and strengthen your confidence in recognising, responding to, recording and reporting adult protection concerns.