Safeguarding Adults

A practical course for doctors in every specialty — in the emergency department, on the wards, in clinic and in general practice. Through real cases you will learn the Care Act 2014 and its six principles, the ten categories of abuse, mental capacity and best interests (including the patient who wants to leave), the June 2026 Supreme Court change to deprivation of liberty, domestic abuse and non-fatal strangulation, knife and gunshot wounds, care-home neglect and pressure ulcers, self-neglect, modern slavery, cuckooing, Prevent, information sharing, raising a concern and what happens in a section 42 enquiry — plus how to talk about it at interview.

What you'll learn

• Explain who is an 'adult at risk' under section 42 of the Care Act 2014 and apply the six safeguarding principles
• Recognise the ten categories of abuse and neglect, including how they present in the ED
• Assess capacity for a specific decision and act in best interests — including when a patient wants to leave
• Describe how the June 2026 Supreme Court judgment changed deprivation of liberty, and when to use DoLS
• Respond safely to domestic abuse, non-fatal strangulation, knife and gunshot wounds, exploitation and radicalisation
• Share information lawfully, with or without consent, and raise a clear safeguarding concern
• Explain what happens in a section 42 enquiry and a Safeguarding Adults Review
• Document well and describe your safeguarding practice confidently at interview

Course outline

1. Foundations: the Care Act and your duties
2. Recognising abuse and neglect
3. Capacity, consent and liberty
4. High-risk presentations
5. Taking action: from concern to enquiry
6. Records, colleagues and your career