FAQ: How often do GPs need to do adult safeguarding training?

Whilst the CQC will certainly be interested to ensure that practices and staff know how to recognise and respond to vulnerable adults, the safeguarding adults training requirements for GPs in this area (and for now, the appraisal requirements) are less clearly defined than they currently are for safeguarding children and young people.

What adult safeguarding training should GPs be doing?

In the absence of current clear guidance, you could consider translating the level 3 competencies required for child safeguarding across to safeguarding adults:

Level 3 competencies for safeguarding adults – GPs

Knowledge

• Aware of national guidance, professional duties of care
  • e.g. Mental Capacity Act 2005 which includes the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
• Aware of local adult safeguarding board arrangements
  • e.g. make it one of your appraisal supporting evidence items to study and reflect on local pathways and document this for your appraisal.
• The importance of information sharing and confidentiality.

Clinical knowledge

• Different forms of abuse and neglect and how these can manifest.
• How to share information appropriately, taking into consideration confidentiality and data-protection issues.

Skills

• Able to contribute to, and make considered judgements about how to act to safeguard/protect a vulnerable adult.
• Able to present safeguarding concerns verbally and in writing for professional and legal purposes as required (and as appropriate to role, including case conferences, court proceedings etc).

Recording your competencies

Document learning from significant events or case reviews involving vulnerable adults.

Adult safeguarding toolkits and e-learning for sessional GPs

• • The BMA’s Safeguarding vulnerable adults – a toolkit for general practitioners.
  • e-Learning for Healthcare has a Safeguarding Adults area.
  • NASGP’s advice on Oliver McGowan training.
  • Training organised by CCGs and other local organisations:
    • There will probably be more locally organised training as the Care Act 2014 requires Safeguarding Adults Boards to work with CCGs (and others) to provide this.
    • These are useful as they are often multi-agency and can give you a greater insight into how agencies such as social care, health care workers and police interact.

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