Exam Pass Notes

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Use these notes to revise the key practical points before the assessment.

Core safeguarding points

• Safeguarding protects an adult's right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect.
• The legal framework differs across the UK. In England, the Care Act duty applies where the adult has care and support needs, is experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect, and cannot protect themselves because of those needs.
• Safeguarding should be led by the person concerned and focus on the outcomes they want.
• The six principles are empowerment, prevention, proportionality, protection, partnership, and accountability.

Common abuse and neglect types

• Physical, domestic, sexual, psychological, financial, modern slavery, discriminatory, organisational, neglect and acts of omission, and self-neglect.
• In care homes, neglect and organisational abuse are often seen and require attention.
• Resident-to-resident harm can constitute a safeguarding concern.
• Unnecessary or disproportionate restraint may be abusive.

What staff should do

• Think safety first. If there is immediate danger, call 999 and follow emergency procedures.
• Listen and reassure. Do not promise confidentiality you cannot keep.
• Do not investigate alone or ask long leading questions.
• Record facts promptly, using the adult's own words where possible.
• Report concerns straight away through the safeguarding route.
• If management may be involved, use alternative escalation or whistleblowing routes.

The safest exam answers will protect the adult, act without delay, involve the person as far as possible, avoid assumptions, and follow clear reporting and recording practice.