Reading List

This reading list supports and extends learning from the Safeguarding Children for Non-Clinical Pharmacy Workers course. The resources are chosen for pharmacy support staff such as counter assistants, receptionists, delivery drivers and dispensers who have patient-facing roles.

Many citations are England-specific statutory or professional guidance. Always follow your local safeguarding procedures and any applicable national requirements.

1. Core Child Safeguarding Frameworks

• GOV.UK - Working together to safeguard children
  The current statutory guidance on how organisations and agencies should work together to help, support, and protect children.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children--2

• NHS England - Safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk in the NHS
  Explains safeguarding roles, responsibilities, accountability, and information-sharing expectations across NHS-funded care settings.
  https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/safeguarding-children-young-people-and-adults-at-risk-in-the-nhs/

• RCPCH - Level 2 competencies
  Sets out the intercollegiate Level 2 safeguarding competencies for healthcare staff, including pharmacy roles that encounter children and young people.
  https://child-health-safeguarding.rcpch.ac.uk/competencies/level-2/

2. Pharmacy-Specific Safeguarding Practice

• CPPE - Safeguarding
  Pharmacy-focused learning and guidance to help apply safeguarding knowledge in everyday pharmacy practice.
  https://www.cppe.ac.uk/services/safeguarding

• GPhC Pharmacy Inspections Knowledge Hub - Safeguarding vulnerable adults and children
  An inspection-learning example that highlights why safeguarding awareness, training and clear procedures matter in community pharmacy practice.
  https://inspections.pharmacyregulation.org/knowledge-hub/notable-practice/safeguarding-vulnerable-adults-and-children-101

3. Recognising Concerns, Recording and Information Sharing

• NSPCC - Spotting the signs of child abuse
  A practical guide to common warning signs of child abuse and neglect, useful for staff who may see children briefly during routine pharmacy contact.
  https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/spotting-signs-child-abuse/

• GOV.UK - Information sharing advice for safeguarding practitioners
  Guidance on when and how information can be shared to protect children, with practical advice on consent, confidentiality and lawful sharing.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safeguarding-practitioners-information-sharing-advice

4. Higher-Risk and Specialist Child Safeguarding Concerns

• GOV.UK - Multi-agency statutory guidance on female genital mutilation
  Official guidance for recognising risk, understanding duties, and responding to concerns about FGM.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/multi-agency-statutory-guidance-on-female-genital-mutilation/multi-agency-statutory-guidance-on-female-genital-mutilation-accessible-version

• GOV.UK - The right to choose: government guidance on forced marriage
  Statutory and multi-agency practice guidance on recognising and responding to forced marriage concerns.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-right-to-choose-government-guidance-on-forced-marriage

• GOV.UK - Modern slavery: how to identify and support victims
  Statutory guidance describing indicators of trafficking and modern slavery, support pathways and safeguarding responses.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/modern-slavery-how-to-identify-and-support-victims

• GOV.UK - Prevent duty guidance
  Statutory guidance on Prevent and the safeguarding approach to vulnerability to radicalisation in England and Wales.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/prevent-duty-guidance

These resources will help you recognise concerns, follow correct recording and information-sharing practice, and take appropriate action when a child or young person may be at risk.