Reading List

A curated Reading List to support and extend learning from Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk for Optical Support Staff.

This course is based on UK safeguarding level frameworks, statutory guidance, official information-sharing advice, and expected practice for optical businesses. It is written for Level 2 support staff. Clinical staff and safeguarding leads should follow role-specific courses and local procedures for detailed guidance on GOC Standard 11 and operational responsibilities.

Internal and Optical Sources

• Mecourse - Safeguarding Training Levels UK Healthcare
  Internal page explaining Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 safeguarding expectations across healthcare roles, including opticians.
  /safeguarding-training-levels-uk-healthcare

• GOC - Standards for Optical Businesses
  Core standards for safe care, governance, staff training, confidentiality and communication, and care for patients in vulnerable circumstances.
  https://optical.org/standards-and-guidance/standards/standards-for-optical-businesses.html

• GOC - Care of Patients in Vulnerable Circumstances
  Guidance to help optical teams recognise and respond when patients may be vulnerable or need extra support.
  https://optical.org/standards-and-guidance/guidance/care-of-patients-in-vulnerable-circumstances.html

Level 2 Competency Frameworks

• RCPCH - Safeguarding Children and Young People: Level 2 Competencies
  Intercollegiate Level 2 competencies for healthcare staff who have regular contact with children, young people, parents or carers.
  https://child-health-safeguarding.rcpch.ac.uk/competencies/level-2/

• RCN - Adult Safeguarding: Roles and Competencies for Health Care Staff
  Intercollegiate adult safeguarding competencies, including Level 2 expectations for staff with regular contact with adults and carers.
  https://www.rcn.org.uk/Professional-Development/publications/RCN-Adult-Safeguarding-Roles-and-Competencies-for-Health-Care-Staff-011-256

UK Statutory and Official Guidance

• GOV.UK - Working Together to Safeguard Children
  Statutory guidance for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in England. Useful for understanding the child-centred safeguarding framework.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children

• GOV.UK - Care and Support Statutory Guidance
  Includes adult safeguarding under the Care Act in England and explains local authority duties and safeguarding principles.
  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/care-and-support-statutory-guidance

• GOV.UK - Information Sharing Advice for Safeguarding Practitioners
  Practical advice on sharing information to safeguard children and young people, clarifying that data protection does not prevent necessary safeguarding action.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safeguarding-practitioners-information-sharing-advice

Higher-Risk Safeguarding Topics

• GOV.UK - Mandatory Reporting of Female Genital Mutilation
  Procedural information on the mandatory reporting duty for regulated health and social care professionals and teachers in England and Wales.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mandatory-reporting-of-female-genital-mutilation-procedural-information

• GOV.UK - Prevent Duty Guidance for Healthcare Professionals
  Prevent guidance for healthcare settings, covering radicalisation as a safeguarding concern and local referral routes.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prevent-duty-guidance-for-healthcare-professionals

• GOV.UK - Modern Slavery: How to Identify and Support Victims
  Guidance on identifying and supporting possible victims of modern slavery and trafficking.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/modern-slavery-how-to-identify-and-support-victims

Four-Nations Safeguarding Context

• GOV.WALES - Safeguarding People
  Welsh Government safeguarding overview with links to children and adults guidance.
  https://www.gov.wales/safeguarding-people-introduction

• gov.scot - National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland
  Scottish national child protection guidance for the Scotland context.
  https://www.gov.scot/publications/national-guidance-child-protection-scotland-2021-updated-2023/

• gov.scot - Adult Support and Protection
  Scottish Government policy on adult support and protection.
  https://www.gov.scot/policies/social-care/adult-support-and-protection/

• Northern Ireland - Co-operating to Safeguard Children and Young People
  Northern Ireland policy guidance on safeguarding children and young people.
  https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/publications/co-operating-safeguard-children-and-young-people-northern-ireland

• Northern Ireland - Adult Safeguarding Key Documents
  Northern Ireland adult safeguarding policy and partnership documents.
  https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/publications/adult-safeguarding-prevention-and-protection-partnership-key-documents

Use these resources to support Level 2 practice in recognition, recording, information sharing and escalation. Always follow your employer's policy and local safeguarding routes.