The course is free, but you need to apply for a place. Every application is reviewed by a person, so access is not instant, and we cannot promise a start date. Please read the notes below about what an online course can and cannot cover at this level.
Safeguarding adults level 3 at a glance
- Cost
- free (application required; no payment is taken for the course, the assessment or the certificate)
- Study time
- around 3 hours, at your own pace
- Format
- online and self-paced
- Level
- Level 3 describes the depth of the training, not a regulated qualification level
- Assessment
- online multiple-choice questions
- Certificate
- a certificate of completion issued by CareCertified
- Accreditation
- CPD accredited courses
- Application
- reviewed manually before enrolment
What is level 3 safeguarding adults training?
Level 3 safeguarding adults training goes further than awareness. It is intended for people who may contribute to decisions about adults at risk, take part in safeguarding enquiries, supervise others or work closely with partner agencies. The levels are an industry convention describing depth. They are not regulated qualification levels, and the level you need depends on your role and your employer's requirements.
The course is built around the Care Act 2014, its statutory guidance and the Mental Capacity Act 2005. You can read the Care Act statutory guidance on GOV.UK.
Important: check what your role requires
This is online training that builds knowledge. Completing it does not on its own show that you are competent to lead a safeguarding enquiry, and some employers or local safeguarding partnerships expect level 3 learning to include case-based or face-to-face elements as well. Check with your employer before relying on any online course to meet a requirement.
How level 3 differs from level 2
| Level 2 | Level 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical role | Works regularly with adults who may be at risk | Contributes to decisions or enquiries, or supervises others |
| Focus | Recognising abuse, knowing what to do, recording and referring | Enquiries, defensible decisions, information sharing and partnership working |
| Our course | Safeguarding Adults Level 2 | This course |
Your employer decides which level your role needs. Many health and social care employers refer to the national intercollegiate role-competency guidance for adult safeguarding when they set requirements for healthcare staff.
Who is this course for?
- registered managers, care managers, team leaders and supervisors who work with adults at risk
- nurses, allied health professionals and senior support workers who contribute to care planning
- staff who help with safeguarding decisions or enquiries in their organisation
- people in community and voluntary organisations with safeguarding responsibilities
If your role is mainly direct care and you are not involved in decisions or enquiries, Safeguarding Adults Level 2 may be the level your employer expects.
Learning outcomes: what you will learn
You should be able to:
- identify the main types of adult abuse and neglect, including self-neglect, modern slavery and organisational abuse
- explain the six principles of safeguarding adults
- describe how person-centred practice supports safeguarding
- apply positive risk taking and explain why decisions need to be defensible
- describe the stages of a safeguarding enquiry
- explain the role of Safeguarding Adults Boards and the purpose of reviews
- describe confidentiality, information sharing and partnership working
- apply the principles of the Mental Capacity Act and explain why accurate reports and records matter
Course content
Recognising abuse and neglect
The course starts with the types of abuse set out in the Care Act guidance, including physical, domestic, sexual, psychological, financial, discriminatory and organisational abuse, neglect, self-neglect, modern slavery and extremism, and what it means to stay alert to the signs.
Person-centred care, supervision and decision making
You consider how person-centred practice and good supervision support safeguarding, and how to make informed decisions, weigh significant harm and tell poor practice from possible abuse. Positive risk taking and defensible decisions are covered here.
Taking action and the enquiry process
This module follows a concern from the first response through the decision to make enquiries, the initial conversation, planning meetings and reviews, and explains your role at each point.
Boards, reviews and partnership working
You learn how Safeguarding Adults Boards work, what reviews are for, how and when information can be shared even when confidentiality is a concern, and why multi-agency working matters.
The Mental Capacity Act and risk enablement
The final module looks at assessing mental capacity, supporting people to make their own decisions, a human rights approach and tools for risk assessment and enablement. The law is on legislation.gov.uk.
Why in-depth safeguarding training matters
At level 3, decisions carry more weight. Choosing whether to start an enquiry, deciding what information can be shared, and judging how much risk a person is entitled to take all call for careful reasoning and clear records. The aim of this course is to help you explain and defend those decisions, keep the adult at the centre of the process and work well with the other agencies involved.
Assessment, certificate and accreditation
You finish with an online multiple-choice assessment. If you pass, you can receive a certificate of completion issued by CareCertified.
A certificate of completion shows you finished this online course. It is not a regulated qualification and does not prove workplace competence. Our courses are CPD accredited.
How to apply
- Choose the course and complete the application form.
- A member of our team reviews your application manually.
- If you are approved, we email you with details of how to begin.
- Study at your own pace and take the online assessment.
More detail is on the how to apply page.
Related free care training courses
Frequently asked questions
What is safeguarding adults level 3?
It is more advanced safeguarding training for people with greater responsibility, such as contributing to enquiries or decisions. It covers recognising abuse, the enquiry process, information sharing, partnership working and the Mental Capacity Act.
Is the safeguarding adults level 3 online course free?
Yes. There is no charge for the course, the assessment or the certificate of completion. You apply for a place, and every application is reviewed by a person.
Will this meet my employer's level 3 requirement?
That is for your employer to decide. Some expect additional face-to-face or case-based learning at level 3. Check your policy before relying on an online course alone.
How long does the course take?
We estimate around 3 hours of study, at your own pace.
How long does safeguarding level 3 last?
Employers set refresher cycles, often guided by national role-competency guidance and local safeguarding partnerships. Ask your manager what applies to your role.
Do I need level 2 first?
Not necessarily, but the course assumes some awareness of safeguarding. If you are new to it, you may want to take level 2 first.
Is the course accredited?
Yes. Our courses are CPD accredited. Until this is confirmed, we do not describe the course as accredited.