[This course will take you approximately 2 hours 20 minutes to complete.] Supports learning for TSDS Foster Carers Standards 6 and TSDS Family and Friends Foster Carers Standards 2 (Safer Care), 5 (Safeguarding).

Safeguarding foster children is a fundamental part of providing the care and support they need. Many have experienced abuse, neglect, or other forms of harm, and may have additional vulnerabilities that place them at greater risk. Safeguarding, therefore, involves protecting these children from a wide range of risks, ranging from exploitation to harm in their relationships. It also requires knowledge of child protection and how to manage safeguarding contextually.

As a carer, you are one of the primary adult figures in a foster child's life, so you are in a prime position to notice changes and potential signs. Following safer care policies is a key part of this protection, as these set out clear boundaries, expectations and agreed approaches that help protect the child, as well as you and your family. However, you are not alone in the journey of keeping the children in your care safe. Safeguarding children is a shared responsibility across all services and organisations involved in their care.

In this course, you will learn:
- What safeguarding, child protection and contextual safeguarding are
- About various forms of harm and abuse and how to recognise the signs
- What to do if you have concerns about a child, including trauma-informed responses to disclosures
- What safer care is (also known as protective care), and how safer caring policies help keep everyone safe
- Practical measures for implementing safeguarding day to day