Introduction

This course is for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in clinical roles where safeguarding concerns may arise while caring for children and young people. Level 3 practice requires more than recognising obvious abuse or passing on a concern.

It requires judgement: spotting patterns, considering the clinical and social context, and recognising when parental factors, developmental issues, mental health, communication needs, or wider risks change the significance of what you observe.

Level 2 focuses on recognising, responding, recording, and escalating. Level 3 expects you to consider thresholds, document defensibly, and share relevant safeguarding information while staying within your professional role.

Why This Matters in Clinical Pharmacy

In clinical pharmacy, safeguarding issues may emerge during prescribing, vaccination, long-term condition reviews, discharge work, or consultations where an adult dominates the conversation.

Children often do not disclose directly. Concerns may present as:

• missed treatment
• inconsistent histories
• fear
• hostility
• a child who cannot speak freely

This is a UK-wide course. Always follow your national guidance, local procedures, and organisational pathways.

In Level 3 clinical pharmacy practice, safeguarding concerns often arise from complexity, patterns of contact, and professional unease rather than from a single direct disclosure.