{"id":1838,"date":"2026-06-23T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.myfreecourse.co.uk\/?p=1838"},"modified":"2026-06-08T13:08:17","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T12:08:17","slug":"6-principles-of-safeguarding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.myfreecourse.co.uk\/6-principles-of-safeguarding\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Principles of Safeguarding: What They Mean for Frontline Workers | My Free Course"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most care providers have a safeguarding policy. Most policies reference the 6 principles of safeguarding. Far fewer frontline care workers can name all six, explain what each one means in practice, and describe how they have applied them in a real situation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The gap matters more than it might seem.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The CQC does not assess whether a policy exists on a shelf. It assesses whether the values in that policy are embedded in a daily practice. During inspections, frontline staff are asked directly about safeguarding principles and procedures. A workforce that responds with &#8220;we follow the policy&#8221; contributes to a lower inspection rating, regardless of how well-written that policy is.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is also a practice argument, separate from the inspection one. The 6 principles exist because procedures alone cannot answer every safeguarding question. When a situation does not fit the script, when the right action is not obvious, the principles are the framework that guides professional judgement. Without them, care workers default to instinct. Instinct is inconsistent.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/statistics\/safeguarding-adults-england-2023-24\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NHS Digital\u2019s 2023\/24 Safeguarding Adults, England release recorded around 176,500 adult safeguarding enquiries in England. <\/a>Analysis of Safeguarding Adult Reviews from that period consistently identifies partnership failures and inadequate information\u2011sharing as major contributors to serious incidents. These are not random failures; they are largely the predictable result of principles that are understood in policy but not consistently applied in practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This article explains each of the 6 principles, what they require of frontline workers, and how they apply in real care situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"quick-answer\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Quick Answer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 6 principles of safeguarding are empowerment, prevention, proportionality, protection, partnership, and accountability. Introduced through the Care Act 2014, they guide how safeguarding is carried out in adult care settings across England. For frontline workers, understanding these principles is not just a training requirement. It is what separates consistent, defensible practice from reactive, inconsistent decision-making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Table of Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li><a href=\"#quick-answer\">Quick Answer<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#what-are-the-6-principles-of-safeguarding\">What Are the 6 Principles of Safeguarding?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#the-6-principles-explained-in-full\">The 6 Principles Explained in Full<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#1-empowerment\">#1. Empowerment<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#2-prevention\">#2. Prevention<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#3-proportionality\">#3. Proportionality<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#4-protection\">#4. Protection<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#5-partnership\">#5. Partnership<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#6-accountability\">#6. Accountability<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#how-the-principles-apply-in-practice\">How the Principles Apply in Practice<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#the-6-principles-and-cqc-inspection\">The 6 Principles and CQC Inspection<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#making-safeguarding-personal\">Making Safeguarding Personal<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#is-there-a-qualification-that-covers-all-6-principles\">Is There a Qualification That Covers All 6 Safeguarding Principles?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#frequently-asked-questions\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#faq-question-1780549058179\">What are the 6 principles of safeguarding in order?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#faq-question-1780551772605\">Are the 6 principles legally binding? <\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#faq-question-1780551790871\">What is the difference between protection and empowerment?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#faq-question-1780551819967\">Which principle do safeguarding reviews most often find missing?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#faq-question-1780551845662\">How do the 6 principles link to Making Safeguarding Personal?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#faq-question-1780551860063\">Will the Level 2 qualification cover safeguarding for a CQC inspection?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#d\">Disclaimer<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"what-are-the-6-principles-of-safeguarding\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Are the 6 Principles of Safeguarding?&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 6 principles are the values framework that underpins how adult safeguarding works in England. They describe not just what to do in a safeguarding situation, but how to think about it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They were introduced through <a href=\"http:\/\/legislation.gov.uk\/ukpga\/2014\/23\/contents\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the Care Act 2014<\/a>, and the statutory guidance that followed. Before this, adult safeguarding in England lacked a consistent values framework. The principles were developed through a national consultation led by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services and adopted into law through the Care Act. They apply across local authorities, the NHS, the police, and care providers, which is part of what makes them foundational.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"the-6-principles-explained-in-full\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The 6 Principles Explained in Full<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each principle translates into specific, daily actions. They are not abstract values. They are decision-making tools.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"1-empowerment\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">#1. Empowerment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Empowerment means the person at the centre of a safeguarding concern is involved in decisions about their own safety. It means providing information, support, and choice. It does not mean directing outcomes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In practice, empowerment means asking the person what they want to happen before deciding what action to take, explaining options clearly, and recording what they have told you about their own wishes. A person with mental capacity has the right to take risks. Safeguarding supports them to do so safely. It does not remove that right.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"2-prevention\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">#2. Prevention<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prevention means taking action before harm occurs, not only responding after it has happened. It means identifying risks early, putting measures in place to reduce them, and creating cultures where abuse and neglect are less likely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most harm in care settings does not arrive suddenly. It builds. A resident losing weight for three months, a care worker complained about twice for rough handling, and an environment that is consistently poorly maintained: these are prevention signals. They require a response before they become a safeguarding incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"3-proportionality\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">#3. Proportionality<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Proportionality means the response to a safeguarding concern must be appropriate to the level and nature of the risk. A disproportionate response causes harm to dignity and autonomy. It also directs resources away from serious risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Equally, an under-proportionate response, such as documenting a serious concern without escalating it, allows harm to continue. Proportionality requires professional judgment about where the response fits the risk. That judgment is what structured training develops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"4-protection\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">#4. Protection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Protection means providing support and representation for people who have the greatest need. It recognises that some people cannot protect themselves and that others must act in their interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is where the Mental Capacity Act 2005 becomes most relevant. When a person cannot make decisions about their own safety due to impaired mental capacity, decisions must be made in their best interests, with appropriate involvement of advocates, family, and professionals. Protection does not override empowerment. Where a person has capacity, their choices must be respected. The two principles work together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"5-partnership\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">#5. Partnership<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Partnership means that safeguarding is most effective when different agencies and individuals work together. No single person or service can effectively safeguard in isolation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For frontline care workers, partnership means knowing who to involve when a concern is beyond your remit, sharing information appropriately and lawfully, and contributing your direct knowledge of the individual to multi-agency discussions. Partnership also operates within a team. A setting where workers share concerns, managers are responsive, and safeguarding is a shared responsibility across all roles is one where the partnership principle is embedded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"6-accountability\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">#6. Accountability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Accountability means being transparent about roles, decisions, and outcomes. Individuals must be clear about what they are responsible for. Organisations must have systems that can be reviewed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For care workers, accountability means accurate, timely documentation. It means recording what you observed, what you were told, what you did, and when. A care worker who does not document a concern, or who minimises what they witnessed in a written record, creates an accountability gap that puts the person they support at continued risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"how-the-principles-apply-in-practice\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How the Principles Apply in Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"559\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.myfreecourse.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/6-principles-of-safeguarding-in-practice-care-planning-2-1024x559.webp\" alt=\"6 principles of safeguarding applied in practice during a care planning meeting between a care worker and service user, focusing on collaboration, risk management, and person centred decision making.\" class=\"wp-image-1842\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.myfreecourse.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/6-principles-of-safeguarding-in-practice-care-planning-2-1024x559.webp 1024w, https:\/\/blog.myfreecourse.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/6-principles-of-safeguarding-in-practice-care-planning-2-300x164.webp 300w, https:\/\/blog.myfreecourse.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/6-principles-of-safeguarding-in-practice-care-planning-2-150x82.webp 150w, https:\/\/blog.myfreecourse.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/6-principles-of-safeguarding-in-practice-care-planning-2-768x419.webp 768w, https:\/\/blog.myfreecourse.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/6-principles-of-safeguarding-in-practice-care-planning-2.webp 1408w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The principles are not applied one at a time in isolated situations. Most safeguarding decisions involve multiple principles in tension with each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>In care planning, <\/strong>a principles-led care plan asks the individual what matters to them (empowerment), documents identified risks and how they will be managed (prevention), ensures support is focused on genuine need (proportionality), and includes clear responsibilities for who does what (accountability). Skills for Care\u2019s 2024 workforce intelligence and related quality\u2011improvement planning analysis highlight care\u2011planning skills as a recurring area for development, with many providers identifying it as a priority following CQC inspections.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>In safeguarding referrals, <\/strong>when considering a referral, each principle provides a lens.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Has the individual been involved in the decision to refer (empowerment)?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Does the level of intervention match the severity of the risk (proportionality)?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Has the concern been shared with relevant agencies (partnership)?&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Has the reasoning been documented (accountability)?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>When things go wrong, <\/strong>published Safeguarding Adults Reviews consistently identify the same patterns: poor information sharing (partnership failure), failure to act on early warning signs (prevention failure), inadequate documentation (accountability failure), and decisions made without involving the individual (empowerment failure). These are systemic failures that training on the principles directly addresses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"the-6-principles-and-cqc-inspection\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The 6 Principles and CQC Inspection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The CQC assesses safeguarding under the Safe key question. Since the introduction of the new assessment framework in 2023, providers must demonstrate that safeguarding is embedded in practice, not just documented in policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>CQC Quality Statement<\/th><th>Safeguarding Principle<\/th><th>What It Means in Practice<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>People are protected from abuse and neglect<\/td><td>Prevention + protection<\/td><td>Staff identify risks early and act on them<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>People experience person-centred care<\/td><td>Empowerment<\/td><td>Individuals are involved in decisions about their own safety<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Services are accountable to people and communities<\/td><td>Accountability + partnership<\/td><td>Documentation is accurate, and agencies work together<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Risks are assessed and managed safely<\/td><td>Proportionality<\/td><td>Responses match the level and nature of the risk<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/state-of-health-and-adult-social-care-in-england-2023-to-2024\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CQC\u2019s State of Care Report 2023\/24<\/a> highlights recurring safeguarding concerns and gaps in staff training among some of the most serious regulatory cases, with these weaknesses often contributing to poorer inspection outcomes and lower ratings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Making Safeguarding Personal (MSP) is the programme that puts the 6 principles into operational practice. It reoriented safeguarding enquiries from a process-focused question (&#8220;what procedure do we follow?&#8221;) to a person-centred one (&#8220;what outcomes does this person want?&#8221;).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"making-safeguarding-personal\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Making Safeguarding Personal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">MSP is now embedded in national safeguarding guidance and explicitly expected by CQC. It requires that the person at the centre of any safeguarding concern is asked what they want to happen, is involved in planning the response, and has their preferences documented and respected throughout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For frontline workers, MSP means asking the question before developing the plan. Before a referral is made or any intervention is decided, the person is asked: &#8221; What matters to you right now? What would a good outcome look like?\u201d These are not bureaucratic steps. They are the empowerment principle in action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Research published by ADASS in 2024 found that safeguarding outcomes rated as achieving resolution by the individuals concerned were significantly higher in services that had embedded MSP approaches compared to those where safeguarding remained primarily process-driven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"is-there-a-qualification-that-covers-all-6-principles\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is There a Qualification That Covers All 6 Safeguarding Principles?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. The Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Dignity and Safeguarding in Adult Health and Social Care covers all 6 principles in full, alongside the legal framework, types of abuse, duty of care responsibilities, how to respond to concerns, and how to protect dignity in everyday care practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is a nationally recognised qualification regulated by Ofqual and awarded by NCFE or TQUK. It provides documented, independently assessed evidence of safeguarding knowledge. For care workers, that means a verifiable credential. For care providers, it means a compliance record for every team member who completes it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Assessment is coursework-based throughout. There are no exams. The course is fully online and self-paced. Tuition is funded through the Adult Skills Fund for eligible learners in England. Some partner colleges charge an administration fee of typically \u00a350 to \u00a3100, which covers registration and certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-3e41869c wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-vivid-purple-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.myfreecourse.co.uk\/postcode-checker?utm_source=blog-article&amp;utm_medium=post&amp;utm_campaign=article\">Check Your Eligibility<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Tuition funded for eligible learners. Some colleges may charge an admin fee of typically \u00a350 to \u00a3100. Eligibility depends on age, residency, earnings, and prior qualifications.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"frequently-asked-questions\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)<\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-1780549058179\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">What are the 6 principles of safeguarding in order?\u00a0<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Empowerment, Prevention, Proportionality, Protection, Partnership, and Accountability. The order matters less than understanding what each means in practice and how to apply them when situations are complex or unclear.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1780551772605\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Are the 6 principles legally binding? <\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The principles are part of the statutory guidance accompanying the Care Act 2014. They are not individually enforceable duties written into the Act, but they are embedded in the legal framework, and CQC uses them as a basis for inspection. Failure to demonstrate them in practice contributes directly to adverse regulatory outcomes.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1780551790871\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">What is the difference between protection and empowerment?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Empowerment applies when a person has the mental capacity to make their own decisions about their safety. It means supporting their choices and autonomy. Protection applies when a person cannot protect themselves, often due to impaired mental capacity, and others must act in their best interests. The Mental Capacity Act 2005 provides the legal framework for determining which applies.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1780551819967\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Which principle do safeguarding reviews most often find missing?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Published Safeguarding Adults Reviews consistently identify partnership and accountability failures as the most common contributing factors in serious incidents. Poor information sharing between agencies and inaccurate or absent documentation are the specific failings most frequently cited.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1780551845662\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">How do the 6 principles link to Making Safeguarding Personal?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Making Safeguarding Personal puts the 6 principles into operational practice. It places empowerment at the centre of every safeguarding response by requiring that the person being safeguarded is asked what outcomes they want and is involved throughout. MSP is now embedded in national guidance and assessed by CQC.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1780551860063\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Will the Level 2 qualification cover safeguarding for a CQC inspection?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes. The Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Dignity and Safeguarding provides documented evidence of formal safeguarding training directly relevant to the CQC&#8217;s assessment of workforce competence. It covers all 6 principles, the legal framework, types of abuse, duty of care, and reporting procedures. Confirm with your manager what specific documentation your inspection framework requires, as this may vary by service type.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 id=\"d\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\">Disclaimer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Tuition fees for eligible learners are fully funded by the Adult Skills Fund. Some partner colleges may charge an administration fee (typically \u00a350-\u00a3100) for registration and certification, but not us. At My Free Course, it\u2019s completely free.<\/em><br><em>This varies by provider. Eligibility depends on individual circumstances, including age, residency, earnings, and prior qualifications. My Free Course acts as an intermediary between learners and partner colleges. Course availability is subject to change. Geographic exclusions apply. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Visit<\/em><a href=\"http:\/\/myfreecourse.co.uk\"><em> MyFreeCourse.co.uk<\/em><\/a><em> for the most current course and eligibility information.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Most care providers have a safeguarding policy. Most policies reference the 6 principles of safeguarding. Far fewer frontline care workers can name all six, explain what each one means in practice, and describe how they have applied them in a real situation.&nbsp; The gap matters more than it might seem.&nbsp; The CQC does not assess [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":1839,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[23,12,71,65],"class_list":["post-1838","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides-and-resources","tag-free-funded-courses","tag-level-2-courses","tag-level-2-coursses-in-safeguarding","tag-safeguarding-in-care"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.myfreecourse.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1838","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.myfreecourse.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.myfreecourse.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.myfreecourse.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.myfreecourse.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1838"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/blog.myfreecourse.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1838\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1859,"href":"https:\/\/blog.myfreecourse.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1838\/revisions\/1859"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.myfreecourse.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1839"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.myfreecourse.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1838"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.myfreecourse.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1838"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.myfreecourse.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1838"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}