How Often Do You Need to Update Your Safeguarding Adults Knowledge and Training?

So how often should you refresh your knowledge and training?

At the Ann Craft Trust, we deliver safeguarding adults training and consultancy to help organisations across multiple sectors create effective safeguarding cultures.

Whether your organisation has engaged in our training or consultancy or not, it’s important to consider how you maintain and build on your safeguarding knowledge over time.

How Often Should You Refresh Safeguarding Training?

We generally recommend:

• E-learning courses every 2-3 years to keep up with developments in safeguarding practice.
• Taught sessions (online or face-to-face) every 2-3 years but may need to be revisited more frequently, particularly for role-specific responsibilities.
• Consultancy and audits can help assess whether your safeguarding approach is effective and embedded. Revisiting every 2-3 years ensures ongoing improvement.

But continued professional development in safeguarding isn’t just about attending training. Organisations should consider how they’re keep safeguarding on the agenda between courses, to keep the conversation going.

Embedding and Reinforcing Safeguarding Knowledge

Rather than treating training as a one-off event, consider:

• Alternating between face-to-face learning and e-learning to ensure all learning styles are covered
• Ongoing discussion – embedding safeguarding into team meetings and supervision sessions.
• Link theory to practice – and to follow up on training reinforcing the commitment to safeguarding and individual accountability
• Consultancy support – using audits and expert guidance to strengthen your safeguarding culture.

Understanding Your Training Requirements

Your safeguarding training frequency may depend on:

• Regulatory or contractual requirements – some sectors mandate specific intervals.
• Your organisation’s stance – beyond compliance, what best supports a strong safeguarding culture?

Strengthening Safeguarding Culture

Effective safeguarding goes beyond compliance. Consider:

• Complicit – Could your organisation be unintentionally allowing poor safeguarding practices to persist?
• Compliance – Are you meeting legal and policy requirements?
• Competence – Are staff equipped to recognise and respond to concerns?
• Confidence – Do people feel comfortable discussing safeguarding issues? Are they empowered to voice their concerns?
• Culture – Is safeguarding embedded in your organisation’s values and daily practice?

Next Steps

Now is the time to review your safeguarding approach:

• Explore our e-learning courses.
• Consider our face-to-face and online training.
• Use our consultancy and safeguarding audits to assess and enhance your approach.

Regular training and reflection are key to maintaining high safeguarding standards. How is your organisation keeping safeguarding on the agenda?

Together, we can stop the abuse of all adults by raising awareness, building understanding, and working collaboratively.

If you would like to discuss your safeguarding needs, contact us at AnnCraftTrust@nottingham.ac.uk.