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Safeguarding

Use this guide to find information resources about safeguarding adults, children, and those with learning disabilities. In this guide you’ll find books, reports, and journal articles.

Last updated: 26/09/2025

Key Resources

Book cover Royal College of Nursing (2024) Adult safeguarding: roles and competencies for health care staff. London: RCN.
Publication cover Royal College of Nursing et al. (2019) Safeguarding children and young people: roles and competencies for healthcare staff. Intercollegiate document, 4th edn. London: RCN.
Report cover Royal College of Nursing (2023) Female genital mutilation. RCN guidance for sexual health care. London: RCN.
Publication cover Royal College of Nursing (2020) Anonymous registration on the electoral register in the UK. London: RCN.
Publication cover Royal College of Nursing (2020) Guidance for nurses and midwives to support those affected by domestic abuse. London: RCN.
Publication cover Royal College of Nursing and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (2020) Looked after children: roles and competencies of healthcare staff. London: RCN.
Book cover Royal College of Nursing (2023) Modern slavery and trafficking. London: RCN.
RCN Learn: Modern slavery and human trafficking
Royal College of Nursing: First steps for healthcare assistants: principles of safeguarding.
Care Inspectorate: Adult support and protection.
Care Quality Commission (2022) Safeguarding people.
Department of Health and Social Care (2020) Liberty protection safeguards factsheets (updated 3 August 20201).
Health and Social Care Board: Northern Ireland Adult Safeguarding Partnership (2016) Adult safeguarding operational procedures. Belfast: RQIA
NHS Wales (no date) Governance e-Manual: Standard 2.7 Safeguarding children and safeguarding adults at risk.
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Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health: Looked after children (LAC): Resources and guidance.
Mental Capacity Act 2005, c. 9.
Welsh Government: Safeguarding guidance.

Related Links

Domestic Abuse Subject Guide

Books

Book cover Barber P et al (2023) Mental health law in England and Wales: a guide for mental health professionals. London: Learning Matters. 
Book cover Bond E and Phippen A (2022) Safeguarding adults online: perspectives on rights to participation. Bristol: Bristol University Press.
Book cover Burton S and Reid J (2018) Safeguarding and protecting children in the early years. London: Routledge. Taylor & Francis.
Book cover Frost N (2021) Safeguarding children and young people: a guide for professionals working together. London: Sage.
Book cover Holmes D (ed.) (2022) Safeguarding young people: risk, rights, resilience and relationships, Jessica Kingsley: London.
Book cover Keeling J and Goosey D (2021) Safeguarding across the life span, SAGE: London. 
Book cover Northway R and Hopes P (2022) Learning disability nursing: developing professional practice. St Albans: Critical Publishing.
Book cover Phelan A (2020) Advances in elder abuse research: practice, legislation and policy. Cham: Springer International Publishing.
Book cover Spreadbury K and Hubbard R (2020) The adult safeguarding practice handbook. Bristol: Policy Press.
Book cover Starns B (2019) Safeguarding adults together under the Care Act 2014: a multi-agency practice guide. St Albans: Critical Publishing.
Book cover Wate R and Boulton N (2019) Multi agency safeguarding in a public protection world: a handbook for protecting children and vulnerable adults. 2nd edn. Shoreham by Sea: Pavilion.

Book subject searches

Use these links to see details of books the RCN libraries hold on each topic.  

This subject guide relates to:

RCN library staff

Lee Kattenhorn

Editor of this guide

RCN Library and Museum

Upcoming events relating to this subject guide

  • Man with learning disability laughing with carer 23 Oct 2025 - 30 Oct 2025 Online

    Nursing in learning disabilities

    Join us to share your vital insights on learning disabilities nursing.

  • Healthcare professional talking to a patient 13 Nov 2025 Online

    Out of the shadows: Shining a light on registered nurses in learning disability working in social care

    This Learning Disability Nursing Forum webinar aims to help raise the profile of Registered Nurses in Learning Disability working in social care.

  • 02 Dec 2025 Online

    RCN Wales Roundtable for the Independent Sector - virtual

    RCN Wales will be hosting an online roundtable for nursing staff working in the independent health and social care sector, on ‘Leadership, Learning and Future Directions: Reflections from Independent Health and Social Care.' This event will also provide an opportunity to network with other colleagues based within the Independent Sector to share stories and your unique experiences of working in Wales. This event is open to both RCN members and non-members who work in Wales in the Independent Health and Social Care sector.

Page last updated - 26/09/2025