Adult and Child Safeguarding and BLS Training

All trainees need evidence of Level 3 safeguarding for both adult and child safeguarding. From the start of early part of their training in ST1 and this should be evidenced with a certificate of Level 3 in the Compliance Passport. This can be online training, but needs to be level 3.

Going forwards all trainees then need a knowledge update every calendar. Examples of knowledge updates (required every calendar year) include: Attending face to face training, webinars, attendance at safeguarding practice meetings, e-learning. An annual knowledge update is not needed in the year L3 training was completed.

Also, all trainees need a minimum of one Clinical Case Review in each training year (ST1/2/3). It should show the application of their knowledge. This could be a clinical case review where the doctor considers safeguarding issues that have arisen or may arise and show application of their safeguarding knowledge relevant to that case. It does not need to include a referral to a safeguarding body but consideration of safeguarding issues and how they may be best managed, involving the most appropriate people.

If the doctor has not had experience of any such cases then this may be demonstrated as below:

Group case discussions (for example at VTS teaching) where you discuss a case which you have been directly involved with, or a case which you have not been directly involved with, and reflect on the learning from the case.

Discussing a case at a practice safeguarding meeting (either a case which you have been directly involved with and have presented, or a case which you have not been directly involved with), and reflecting on the learning from the case.

AED/CPR (BLS) Training:

  • From 31 August 2022 it is no longer acceptable to provide online-only evidence of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. When an update is due all updates/new qualifications in CPR and AED (i.e. Basic Life Support/BLS) need to be hands-on, and face-to-face, not online.
  • Trainees must prove competence in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automated External Defibrillation (AED) in every calendar year. This should include demonstrating competence in these areas for both children and adults, unless there is no paediatric exposure for that year. In which case there is only a need to show Adult CPR and AED competence.
  • Even if an ALS course has been completed and the certificate states an expiry after 3-4 years. There is still a need for evidence of an update of competence in CPR and AED, every calendar year.