Functional Skills Level 2

Speaking, Listening and Communication Assessment

Safeguarding

Instructions
 This assessment must be carried out under controlled conditions.
 This information pack is to be given to learners on the day of the assessment, and
not beforehand.

Preparation
Learners should be aware that there are three 10-minute speaking and listening sub-tasks to
be held within a one hour window of time. It is recommended that breaks of 5 - 20 minutes
are taken between each sub-task to allow learners a rest, allow them to prepare for the
their presentation (sub-task 2), think about and briefly prepare their ideas for the formal
discussion (sub-task 3), and time for marking to be completed.

The group must be at least three but no more than five learners, to allow all the opportunity
to speak and to provide an audience for each other. Arrange the learners around a
boardroom style table so they may maintain eye contact with each other.

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Setting the scene

This task is based on discussions on the subject of abuse, namely: types of; issues
surrounding; identifying; and safeguarding against. Participants are to assume they all work
for the same organisation, who ultimately want recommendations on the most effective
methods of preventing abuse.

The main aim / subject of each sub-task is as follows:

Sub-task 1: Candidates should take part in a general discussion around their own
understanding of certain types of abuse and the issues surrounding them. The learners are
given a list of types of abuse from which they should choose one or more to discuss. There
are also some guidance questions given, but the discussion does not have to be limited to
these.

Sub-task 2: Candidates are required to research into a recent failure in care and give a short
presentation that gives details and the effects findings have had on their role as a carer. In
the presentation candidates should:

 identify the unsafe practices that took place within their chosen failure of care
 identify government legislation that relates to safeguarding.

Candidates are encouraged to use visual aids, such as a photograph or maps, to enhance
their presentation which need not be more that 3 minutes long.

Sub-task 3: Candidates are to be told that the organisation they work for wants them to list
the most effective policies and procedures for preventing abuse. Learners should be
encouraged to use the discussions in the previous sub-tasks to inform their ideas. The group
should devise an agreed list of suggestions which you would take to the board of directors
for consideration.

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Sub-task 1 - Types of Abuse
(informal discussion, familiar subject, 10 minutes)

PURPOSE
As part of your organisation’s commitment to the clients it works with, it wishes to raise
awareness of the signs of abuse and steps that can be taken to prevent abuse happening.

The purpose of this sub-task is to discuss your understanding of types of abuse and issues
surrounding them.

INSTRUCTIONS
Your group should spend 10 minutes discussing one or more of the following types of abuse:
 Physical abuse;
 Sexual abuse;
 Emotional/psychological abuse.
 Financial abuse;
 Institutional abuse;
 Self neglect;
 Neglect by others.

You do not need to write down any of your findings and can discuss any issues surrounding
the topic that the group feels appropriate. However, you may want to consider the
questions below to guide your discussion:

 How would you identify signs and/or symptoms associated with each type of abuse?
 Can you describe factors that may contribute to someone being vulnerable to abuse?
 What actions should you take if you have suspicions that an individual is being abused?
 What actions should you take if an individual alleges that they are being abused?
 What methods should be used to ensure that evidence of abuse is kept?

The above list of proposed benefits may be written on a flip chart or whiteboard as
prompts. After initiating the discussion, your assessor should take no further part. You are
encouraged to be open and honest in your discussion.

After 10 minutes the session will end. There will be a short break (between 5 and 20
minutes) after you which you will go straight on to sub-task 2.

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Sub-task 2 – Presentation
(semi-formal setting, unfamiliar subject, 2-3 mins for each candidate)

PURPOSE
To research how one or more of the types of abuse discussed has occurred in a real-life
setting and discuss how safeguarding legislation now governs health and social care
settings.

INSTRUCTIONS
This brief is to be given to candidates 1 week before their scheduled SLC assessment.

Research into a recent failure in care and give a short presentation that gives details and the
effects the findings have had on your role as a carer. In your presentation you should:

 identify the unsafe practices that took place within the failure you have chosen to
research.

 identify government legislation that relates to safeguarding.

You are encouraged to use visual aids, such as a photograph or maps, to enhance your
presentation. Your presentation need not be more that 3 minutes long.

Assessors – you should have resources available for the candidate to present their findings,
(for example, a whiteboard, PowerPoint, a projector).

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Sub-task 3 - Policies & Procedures
(formal discussion, familiar subject, 10 minutes)

PURPOSE
Despite everyone's attention and hard work, abuse may still happen. It is therefore
important to put in preventative measures, in the form of policies and procedures.

Your organisation would like you to list the most effective methods that can be adopted to
prevent abuse taking place. Your suggestions will be taken to your organisation's board of
directors for consideration.

INSTRUCTIONS
Considering the type/s of abuse discussed in sub-task 1, and the scenario example in sub-
task 2, your group should discuss how policies and procedures in your organisation may be
affected.

Is there anything more you feel your employer should be doing in light of today’s
discussion?

As a group agree on the most effective methods your employer should use to inform staff of
safeguarding updates, and how these updates should be monitored.

After 10 minutes the discussion will end, and your group should submit your written
suggestion to the assessor.

[Assessors - ensure the group note key points they agree on. The group should be aiming for
2 or 3 specific suggestions to be recommended to the board of directors.]

END OF ASSESSMENT

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