Safeguarding and Vulnerability Course (UK): Lessons 2026

Lesson 1: Safeguarding and who is at risk

Safeguarding means protecting people's right to live safely, free from abuse and neglect. Security staff often meet people at their most vulnerable: late at night, after drinking, lost, alone or in crisis. SIA licence training says security operatives must recognise their duty of care towards vulnerable people.

Children

Under the Children Act 1989, a child is anyone under the age of 18. In England, multi-agency child protection follows the statutory guidance *Working Together to Safeguard Children*, which applies to England only. The other nations have their own arrangements.

Adults at risk

Each nation has its own law. The tests are similar: the person is at risk of harm or abuse and cannot protect themselves.

The Care Act 2014 adult safeguarding duty applies in England only; Wales and Scotland use their own laws above. In England, when the section 42 conditions are met, the local authority must make the enquiries it thinks necessary to decide what action is needed and by whom.

People who may be vulnerable at work

• Someone very drunk or affected by drugs
• A person who is alone, lost or separated from friends
• A young person, or someone who seems under age
• A person who seems confused, unwell or distressed
• Someone being followed, pressured or controlled by another person

Lesson 2: Types of abuse and exploitation

The Care Act statutory guidance lists ten types of abuse and neglect:

Domestic abuse

In England and Wales, the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 says domestic abuse is abusive behaviour between two people who are aged 16 or over and personally connected. It includes physical or sexual abuse, violent or threatening behaviour, controlling or coercive behaviour, economic abuse (such as stopping someone getting or keeping money) and psychological or emotional abuse.

County lines and cuckooing

Home Office guidance describes county lines as gangs and organised criminal networks that export illegal drugs, often using children and vulnerable adults to move drugs and money. Cuckooing is when dealers take over a vulnerable person's home and use it as a base for crime.

• Going missing, or being found far from home with no reason
• Several phones or SIM cards, or money and clothes they cannot explain
• Older or controlling "friends"
• Unexplained injuries
• Being very attached to a bag they will not put down

Lesson 3: Principles and capacity

Adult safeguarding in England is guided by six principles:

• Empowerment: support people to make their own choices
• Prevention: act before harm happens
• Proportionality: choose the least intrusive response that fits the risk
• Protection: support those in greatest need
• Partnership: work with other services and the community
• Accountability: be open about what you do and why

The guidance also supports Making Safeguarding Personal, which means a focus on the person, not the process.

The Mental Capacity Act 2005

In England and Wales, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 sets principles for decisions about a person's capacity:

1. Assume a person has capacity unless it is shown they lack it.
2. Give all practicable help before deciding they cannot decide.
3. An unwise decision does not on its own mean a person lacks capacity.
4. Anything done for a person who lacks capacity must be in their best interests.
5. Choose the option that is less restrictive of their rights and freedom.

Lesson 4: Responding at work

Ask for Angela

Ask for Angela is a scheme used in bars and clubs. A person who feels unsafe asks staff for "Angela". Council and police guidance for the scheme says staff should:

1. Move the person somewhere out of sight of the threat, such as a staff room.
2. Find out what help they need, for example a taxi, a friend, or help leaving.
3. Not let them leave while the other person can see them.
4. Call venue security or the police if needed, and follow your venue policy.

Spiking

Spiking means giving someone alcohol or drugs without their knowledge. The Crime and Policing Act 2026 includes a new criminal offence of administering a harmful substance, including spiking. If you suspect spiking, keep the person with a trusted friend or staff member, get medical help and tell the police.

Ejecting or refusing entry

Before you ask a vulnerable person to leave, think about where they will go. Do not leave a very drunk, young or distressed person alone outside. Contact friends, a taxi, welfare services or the police as your site procedure says.

Lesson 5: Reporting and recording

Always tell your supervisor and follow your site procedure as well.

Sharing information

Government advice for England says data protection law does not stop you sharing information to keep a child safe when it is necessary and proportionate. Some of its seven golden rules are:

• Protecting a child from harm comes before privacy.
• You do not need consent to share information if a child is at risk of harm.
• Where it is safe, explain what you will share and why.
• Share only relevant, accurate information with people who need it.
• Record your decision and your reasons, whether you share or not.

What to write down

• Date, time and place
• What you saw and heard, in the person's own words
• Who was involved and who you told
• What action you took