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Safeguarding and Vulnerability Course (UK) 2026

This course is for security officers, door staff and venue workers in the UK who may meet children or adults at risk of harm. It covers who is vulnerable, the types of abuse and exploitation, the main laws in England, Wales and Scotland, and how to report and record concerns. It is background knowledge only and does not replace SIA licence training or the safeguarding training your employer gives you.

  • Course
  • United Kingdom
  • 25 questions
  • Checked October 13, 2026

Quick answer

This free course has about 30 minutes of lessons and a 25-question test. Score 80% or more to download a certificate of completion (private, not accredited). Checked against official sources on October 13, 2026.

Start with the lessonsSafeguarding and Vulnerability Course (UK): Lessons: about 30 minutes of reading. Every test question is covered in the lessons.

What you will learn

  • Explain who counts as a child or an adult at risk in UK law
  • Recognise the main types of abuse, neglect and exploitation
  • Apply the six safeguarding principles and the Mental Capacity Act principles
  • Respond safely to Ask for Angela, spiking and other concerns at work
  • Report concerns to the right people and record your reasons

Score 80% or more to download your certificate.

  1. Question 1 of 25

    Under the Children Act 1989, who counts as a child?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A person under the age of 18

    Section 105 of the Children Act 1989 defines a child as a person under the age of eighteen.

  2. Question 2 of 25

    Under section 42 of the Care Act 2014, which is one of the conditions for an adult at risk in England?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. They have needs for care and support

    Section 42 applies to an adult who has care and support needs, is experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect, and cannot protect themselves because of those needs.

  3. Question 3 of 25

    When the section 42 conditions are met, what must the local authority in England do?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Make whatever enquiries it thinks necessary

    Section 42(2) of the Care Act 2014 says the local authority must make, or cause to be made, the enquiries it thinks necessary to decide what action is needed.

  4. Question 4 of 25

    Does the Care Act 2014 adult safeguarding duty apply in Wales and Scotland?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. No. Wales and Scotland have their own laws

    The Care Act 2014 duty applies in England. Wales uses the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 and Scotland the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007.

  5. Question 5 of 25

    In Scotland, an adult at risk cannot safeguard themselves, is at risk of harm, and is more vulnerable because of what?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Disability, mental disorder, illness or infirmity

    Section 3 of the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 includes being more vulnerable to harm because of disability, mental disorder, illness or physical or mental infirmity.

  6. Question 6 of 25

    Which of these is one of the six safeguarding principles in the Care Act guidance?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Proportionality

    The six principles are empowerment, prevention, proportionality, protection, partnership and accountability.

  7. Question 7 of 25

    A carer keeps an older man's bank card and spends his money without his agreement. What type of abuse is this?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Financial or material abuse

    Financial or material abuse is one of the ten types of abuse and neglect listed in the Care Act statutory guidance.

  8. Question 8 of 25

    A man is living in a very dirty flat, not eating properly and refusing all help. Which category may this fall under?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Self-neglect

    Self-neglect is one of the categories of abuse and neglect in the Care Act statutory guidance.

  9. Question 9 of 25

    A worker at a car wash looks scared, has no ID documents and says the boss keeps his passport. What may this be?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Modern slavery

    Modern slavery is one of the types of abuse in the Care Act guidance. Taking away someone's ID documents is a common sign of control.

  10. Question 10 of 25

    Under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, domestic abuse is behaviour between two people who are personally connected and aged what?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 16 or over

    Section 1 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 applies where both people are aged 16 or over and personally connected to each other.

  11. Question 11 of 25

    Which behaviour counts as economic abuse under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Stopping a partner from getting or keeping money

    The Act defines economic abuse as behaviour that seriously harms a person's ability to get, use or keep money or property.

  12. Question 12 of 25

    What is "cuckooing"?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Taking over a vulnerable person's home for crime

    Home Office county lines guidance describes cuckooing as drug dealers taking over the homes of vulnerable people to use as a base for crime.

  13. Question 13 of 25

    Which could be a sign that a teenager is being exploited by a county lines gang?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Several phones and money they cannot explain

    Home Office guidance lists unexplained money, clothes or phones and multiple handsets or SIM cards as possible signs of exploitation.

  14. Question 14 of 25

    Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, what must you assume about a person's ability to make decisions?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. They have capacity unless shown otherwise

    Section 1(2) of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 says a person must be assumed to have capacity unless it is established that they lack it.

  15. Question 15 of 25

    A man decides to walk home alone late at night, which you think is unwise. What does the Mental Capacity Act 2005 say?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. An unwise decision alone does not mean he lacks capacity

    Section 1(4) says a person is not to be treated as unable to make a decision just because the decision is unwise.

  16. Question 16 of 25

    A woman at a bar uses the "Ask for Angela" code. Under the Bradford scheme guidance, what should staff do first?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Move her somewhere out of sight of the threat

    The Ask for Angela guidance says to take the person somewhere out of sight of the threat, such as a staff room, then find out what help they need.

  17. Question 17 of 25

    When helping someone who asked for Angela, what should staff avoid?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Letting them leave while the other person can see

    The scheme guidance says not to let the person seeking help leave while the person causing distress can see them.

  18. Question 18 of 25

    Which Act includes a new criminal offence of administering a harmful substance, including spiking?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The Crime and Policing Act 2026

    The Crime and Policing Act 2026, which received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026, includes a new offence of administering a harmful substance, including spiking.

  19. Question 19 of 25

    In England, who should you contact about a child abuse concern that is not an emergency?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The children's social care team at the local council

    GOV.UK says to contact the children's social care team at the local council. You can also call the police on 101 if it is not an emergency.

  20. Question 20 of 25

    Which free number can a child or young person call to get help?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Childline on 0800 1111

    GOV.UK lists Childline on 0800 1111 (free) for children and young people.

  21. Question 21 of 25

    You see a carer hitting an older woman in a car park. What should you do first?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Call 999, as she is in immediate danger

    Council safeguarding guidance says to call 999 if someone is in immediate danger. Report the concern to adult social care afterwards.

  22. Question 22 of 25

    You think a child is at risk of harm. What does government advice in England say about consent before you share information?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. You do not need consent to share it

    Government information sharing advice says you do not need consent to share personal information if a child is at risk or there is a perceived risk of harm.

  23. Question 23 of 25

    After you decide to share, or not to share, safeguarding information, what should you do?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Record your decision and the reasons for it

    One of the seven golden rules of information sharing is to record your reasons for sharing or not sharing.

  24. Question 24 of 25

    A teenager tells you something worrying and asks you to keep it secret. What should you do?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Explain you may need to share it to keep them safe

    Information sharing advice says to be open about what you will share and why, unless that would increase the risk. You cannot promise secrecy when a child may be at risk.

  25. Question 25 of 25

    SIA licence training says security operatives must recognise what towards vulnerable people?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Their duty of care

    The SIA common unit includes a session on protecting vulnerable people, starting with recognising the duty of care towards them.

What to know before the test

  • Under the Children Act 1989, a child is anyone under the age of 18.
  • Adult safeguarding laws differ by nation: the Care Act 2014 in England, the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 and the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007.
  • The Care Act guidance lists ten types of abuse and neglect, including self-neglect and modern slavery.
  • Call 999 if a child or adult is in immediate danger. For other child concerns, contact the local council's children's social care team.
  • Government advice for England says you do not need consent to share information about a child if the child is at risk of harm.

Frequently asked questions

Is safeguarding training required for security staff?

SIA licence training includes a session on protecting vulnerable people, and many employers give their own safeguarding training. This course is background knowledge only and does not replace either.

What should I do if a child is in immediate danger?

Call 999. Then tell your supervisor and follow your site safeguarding procedure.

Can I promise to keep a disclosure secret?

No. Explain that you may need to share it with the right people to keep the person safe, unless telling them would increase the risk.

Are the rules the same across the UK?

The main ideas are similar, but the laws differ. England uses the Care Act 2014, Wales the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 and Scotland the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace any licence, certification or training required by law.

Sources

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