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6 Dec 2025

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Understanding Safeguarding and Risk Assessment in Health and Social Care

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ilayda

@nur_s

Safeguarding is all about protecting people's health, wellbeing, and human... Show more

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# Safe gaurling

Protecting peoples health. well being.
and human rights as well as
enabling them to Live free from
abuse ina harm. It is fu

Understanding Safeguarding and Abuse

Safeguarding means protecting people from harm and ensuring their wellbeing - it's your responsibility in health and social care. Think of it as creating a protective bubble around vulnerable people so they can live safely and with dignity.

Abuse happens when someone hurts or mistreats another person, and it's always wrong, no matter the circumstances. There are several types you need to recognise: physical abuse (hitting, kicking, biting), sexual abuse (unwanted touching or sexual contact), emotional abuse (shouting, insults, ignoring someone), financial abuse (stealing money or controlling finances), and neglect (not providing proper care when you're supposed to).

Quick Tip: Remember that abuse can happen to anyone - children, adults, elderly people - and it's often carried out by people the victim knows and trusts.

Each type of abuse can cause serious psychological and physical damage. Spotting the signs early and knowing how to respond could literally save someone's life or prevent years of suffering.

# Safe gaurling

Protecting peoples health. well being.
and human rights as well as
enabling them to Live free from
abuse ina harm. It is fu

Discrimination and Keeping People Safe

Discrimination means treating someone unfairly because of who they are - and it's completely illegal in the UK. People get discriminated against for loads of reasons: age, disability, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or marriage status.

This unfair treatment can seriously damage someone's mental health and prevent them from getting the care they need. As a health and social care worker, you must treat everyone equally regardless of these characteristics.

So how do we actually keep people safe? There are practical steps that work: risk assessments, proper training, ID badges, signing-in books, health and safety measures, clear policies, DBS checks (criminal background checks), and using the right equipment for each situation.

Remember: Every single person deserves respect and equal treatment - your role is to make sure they get it.

These aren't just tick-box exercises - they're real tools that prevent harm and save lives when used properly.

# Safe gaurling

Protecting peoples health. well being.
and human rights as well as
enabling them to Live free from
abuse ina harm. It is fu

Risk Assessments Made Simple

Risk assessments might sound scary, but they're just a logical way of spotting dangers and dealing with them before someone gets hurt. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires these assessments to protect everyone.

Here's the five-step process you need to master: identify hazards (anything that could cause harm), work out who might get hurt, evaluate the risk and decide on precautions, record your findings and tell people about them, then review your assessment regularly.

You need to understand three key terms: a hazard is anything with the potential to cause harm (like a wet floor), harm is the actual injury or damage that could happen, and risk is how likely that harm is to occur plus how serious it would be.

Think Smart: Risk levels are usually classified as high, medium, or low - this helps you prioritise which dangers to tackle first.

When you're assessing risk, always consider both the chances of something going wrong and how severe the consequences would be. A small chance of something really serious happening might still be a high risk.

# Safe gaurling

Protecting peoples health. well being.
and human rights as well as
enabling them to Live free from
abuse ina harm. It is fu

Recording and Reviewing Your Work

Once you've completed your risk assessment, you absolutely must record your findings properly. This means writing everything down clearly, updating relevant policies, adjusting care plans, and communicating the information to individuals, their families, and your colleagues.

Reviewing assessments is just as important as creating them in the first place. You need to ask yourself the key questions: why does this assessment need reviewing, how will you do it, who should be involved, when should it happen, and what might need changing.

Regular reviews ensure your safeguarding measures stay effective as situations change. Someone's needs might evolve, new risks might emerge, or better ways of managing dangers might become available.

Stay Current: Set specific dates for reviews and stick to them - outdated risk assessments can be worse than having none at all.

Remember, good record-keeping and regular reviews aren't just bureaucracy - they're your evidence that you're properly protecting the people in your care.



We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

 

Health & Social Care

480

6 Dec 2025

4 pages

Understanding Safeguarding and Risk Assessment in Health and Social Care

user profile picture

ilayda

@nur_s

Safeguarding is all about protecting people's health, wellbeing, and human rights whilst helping them live free from abuse and harm. It's absolutely fundamental to providing quality health and social care, and understanding it properly will help you support vulnerable people... Show more

# Safe gaurling

Protecting peoples health. well being.
and human rights as well as
enabling them to Live free from
abuse ina harm. It is fu

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Understanding Safeguarding and Abuse

Safeguarding means protecting people from harm and ensuring their wellbeing - it's your responsibility in health and social care. Think of it as creating a protective bubble around vulnerable people so they can live safely and with dignity.

Abuse happens when someone hurts or mistreats another person, and it's always wrong, no matter the circumstances. There are several types you need to recognise: physical abuse (hitting, kicking, biting), sexual abuse (unwanted touching or sexual contact), emotional abuse (shouting, insults, ignoring someone), financial abuse (stealing money or controlling finances), and neglect (not providing proper care when you're supposed to).

Quick Tip: Remember that abuse can happen to anyone - children, adults, elderly people - and it's often carried out by people the victim knows and trusts.

Each type of abuse can cause serious psychological and physical damage. Spotting the signs early and knowing how to respond could literally save someone's life or prevent years of suffering.

# Safe gaurling

Protecting peoples health. well being.
and human rights as well as
enabling them to Live free from
abuse ina harm. It is fu

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Discrimination and Keeping People Safe

Discrimination means treating someone unfairly because of who they are - and it's completely illegal in the UK. People get discriminated against for loads of reasons: age, disability, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or marriage status.

This unfair treatment can seriously damage someone's mental health and prevent them from getting the care they need. As a health and social care worker, you must treat everyone equally regardless of these characteristics.

So how do we actually keep people safe? There are practical steps that work: risk assessments, proper training, ID badges, signing-in books, health and safety measures, clear policies, DBS checks (criminal background checks), and using the right equipment for each situation.

Remember: Every single person deserves respect and equal treatment - your role is to make sure they get it.

These aren't just tick-box exercises - they're real tools that prevent harm and save lives when used properly.

# Safe gaurling

Protecting peoples health. well being.
and human rights as well as
enabling them to Live free from
abuse ina harm. It is fu

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Risk Assessments Made Simple

Risk assessments might sound scary, but they're just a logical way of spotting dangers and dealing with them before someone gets hurt. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires these assessments to protect everyone.

Here's the five-step process you need to master: identify hazards (anything that could cause harm), work out who might get hurt, evaluate the risk and decide on precautions, record your findings and tell people about them, then review your assessment regularly.

You need to understand three key terms: a hazard is anything with the potential to cause harm (like a wet floor), harm is the actual injury or damage that could happen, and risk is how likely that harm is to occur plus how serious it would be.

Think Smart: Risk levels are usually classified as high, medium, or low - this helps you prioritise which dangers to tackle first.

When you're assessing risk, always consider both the chances of something going wrong and how severe the consequences would be. A small chance of something really serious happening might still be a high risk.

# Safe gaurling

Protecting peoples health. well being.
and human rights as well as
enabling them to Live free from
abuse ina harm. It is fu

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Recording and Reviewing Your Work

Once you've completed your risk assessment, you absolutely must record your findings properly. This means writing everything down clearly, updating relevant policies, adjusting care plans, and communicating the information to individuals, their families, and your colleagues.

Reviewing assessments is just as important as creating them in the first place. You need to ask yourself the key questions: why does this assessment need reviewing, how will you do it, who should be involved, when should it happen, and what might need changing.

Regular reviews ensure your safeguarding measures stay effective as situations change. Someone's needs might evolve, new risks might emerge, or better ways of managing dangers might become available.

Stay Current: Set specific dates for reviews and stick to them - outdated risk assessments can be worse than having none at all.

Remember, good record-keeping and regular reviews aren't just bureaucracy - they're your evidence that you're properly protecting the people in your care.

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

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Most popular content: Health Care System

Most popular content in Health & Social Care

Most popular content

English - inspector calls quotes and analysis

Quotes from every main character

English LiteratureEnglish Literature
10

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Students love us — and so will you.

4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user