New elearning module launched to promote use of National Standards for Adult Safeguarding

Date of publication:

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) and the Mental Health Commission (MHC) have today launched an elearning module to help staff working in health and social care services to put the National Standards for Adult Safeguarding into practice in their day-to-day work. 

The aim of the elearning module is to improve the experience of people using these services by working in a way that reduces the risk of harm to them, and promotes their rights, health and wellbeing.

Safeguarding is about recognising that any adult may be at risk of harm as a result of circumstances and or a condition and may need help to protect themselves at any point in their lives.

Rachel Flynn, HIQA’s Director of Health Information and Standards, said: “We all have the right to be safe and to live a life free from harm. Which is why safeguarding is such an integral part of a positive culture in health, mental health and social care services. It requires everyone working in a service to understand their responsibilities and work to supports people’s rights, health and wellbeing.” 

HIQA and the MHC have developed this eLearning module to support front-line staff working in all health and social care services to implement the standards in their day-to-day practice and to identify any barriers to good practice. The module highlights the importance of good communication between people and services, and the importance of working in a way that places those using the service at the centre of everything they do.
 It has been designed to build on the understanding of front-line staff using real-life scenarios as learning experiences. No matter the size or complexity of the service, the module gives staff the tools necessary to make their care person-centred. 

Elena Hamilton, Interim Director of Standards and Quality Assurance at the Mental Health Commission, said: “The elearning module provides front-line staff with an opportunity to practically consider how they can best implement the safeguarding standards in a variety of settings, including mental health services. The Commission believes the standards will contribute to the development of a culture where safeguarding is embedded into practice, rather than being viewed as something separate.”

HIQA and the MHC hope that staff will use this digital learning module to strengthen and improve people’s experience of health, mental health and social care services across the country.
This digital learning course is hosted on HSELanD and can be accessed here

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For further information please contact: 

Zoe Forde, Online and Internal Communications Coordinator, 
(01) 8147482 / 085 872 2258 zforde@hiqa.ie

Notes to editor:

  • HIQA’s role is to develop standards, inspect and review health and social care services and support informed decisions on how services are delivered. HIQA aims to support services to safeguard people and improve the safety and quality of health and social care services across its full range of functions. The MHC’s role is to regulate and inspect mental health services, support continuous quality improvement and to protect the interests of those who are involuntarily admitted and detained under the Mental Health Act 2001. 
  • HIQA and the MHC recognise the importance of increasing the quality and safety of services for all adults in Ireland, especially those who may be at risk of harm.
  • HIQA and the MHC published the joint National Standards for Adult Safeguarding in 2019, following approval by the Minister for Health. 
    •  All health, mental health and social care services are expected to meet these standards. 
    • These services include, for example, acute hospitals, mental health services, residential services for older people and people with a disability, day care services, general practices and care delivered in the home.
    • Stakeholder engagement involves meeting and working with an Advisory Group, focus groups with front-line staff, management and people using services, and a public consultation. 
    • Workshops were held following the publication of the national standards to identify barriers to implementing the standards, and to identify the key messages for inclusion in the module.
  • This module is suitable for staff working in acute hospitals, mental health services, residential services for older people and people with a disability, day care services, general practices and care delivered in the home.