Introduction

This course builds on existing safeguarding knowledge and explains the practical responsibilities of Level 2 non-clinical pharmacy workers when they encounter children, young people, parents, carers, and families in pharmacy settings.

Safeguarding concerns in pharmacy often arise during routine contacts rather than as formal disclosures. You may notice issues during counter conversations, repeat prescription collections, home deliveries, reception interactions, phone calls, or brief encounters where a child seems frightened, withdrawn, neglected, or affected by an adult's behaviour. Level 2 practice focuses on recognising these signs, responding appropriately, recording accurately, and using the correct escalation or referral routes rather than conducting an investigation yourself.

This is a UK-wide course. Safeguarding structures, terminology, and referral processes differ across the four nations, so always follow your national guidance, local procedures, and your organisation's escalation routes alongside the principles in this course.

What This Course Covers

• Understanding safeguarding children: What safeguarding children means in UK pharmacy practice and the Level 2 role of non-clinical staff.
• Recognising indicators: Behavioural, physical, social, and contextual signs of abuse, neglect, exploitation, online harm, and other vulnerabilities affecting children and young people.
• Level 2 responsibilities: Applying professional curiosity, hearing the voice of the child, taking immediate safety action when needed, responding to disclosures, and knowing when to seek advice or escalate concerns.
• Recording and information sharing: Good practice in factual documentation, confidentiality, lawful information sharing, and distinguishing fact from opinion.
• Referral and escalation: The role of the safeguarding lead, local safeguarding structures, early support or early-help routes where used locally, when to take emergency action, and when concerns require referral beyond the pharmacy.
• Pharmacy-specific practice: How safeguarding concerns can arise through counter service, reception work, deliveries, repeated contact, and interactions with parents, carers, and accompanying adults.
• Safer working: Maintaining professional boundaries, escalating concerns safely, and speaking up if concerns involve a colleague, unsafe practice, or a child whose needs are not being addressed.

How You Will Learn

The course uses examples drawn from everyday pharmacy practice, showing how safeguarding concerns can appear in brief, routine interactions rather than through formal assessments.

Case-based scenarios and practical examples are included throughout to help you apply the guidance in real pharmacy settings with clarity and care.