An evaluation of online safeguarding training: a mixed-methods study

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of online safeguarding training following the switch from in person to online delivery in the Covid-19 pandemic, and its impacts on safeguarding practice across a large Integrated Care System in England. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-methods approach was used. Phase 1 comprised analysis of 2,415 postevaluation surveys across 29 safeguarding training sessions that yielded quantitative and free text data. In the second, qualitative phase, interviews were held with a variety of thirteen health and social care professionals. Findings Phase 1 findings demonstrated that, for most, online training was deemed to be effective for achieving training goals, with potential ongoing positive effects on safeguarding practice. Pros and cons of online training were identified, but ultimately, the convenience offered outweighed any loss of social and networking opportunities offered by face-to-face delivery. Suggestions were made for facilitating networking and collegiate working during online training. Actual impacts on safeguarding practice were described by health and social care practitioners who took part in the second, qualitative phase, demonstrating substantial ongoing changes to practice following online safeguarding training. Originality/value To our knowledge, the scale and scope of this study is novel, particularly the number of posttraining evaluation surveys included in the analysis. The qualitative phase yielded new insights into both the experience of online safeguarding training and lasting transfer of knowledge and skills gained to safeguarding practice in a variety of health and social care settings.