Introduction and Context

Additional vulnerabilities

1

Additional vulnerabilities

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2

Anesu

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3

Peter

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4

What else?

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It is your responsibility to safeguard all learners. Sometimes there will be factors that put individual learners at particular risk of abuse, making them vulnerable.

The video on this screen will introduce you to three learners. Their situations will help you think about what could make a learner vulnerable.

While watching, think about what could make each learner vulnerable and why. Select the Play button to start the video.

After you have watched the video read the question, then type your answer into the text box. Select Save when you have finished.

What makes Johnny more vulnerable and why?

Johnny will be entering a new environment without the support of the group of friends he has relied upon, where people will not know he is gay. This change in situation makes him more vulnerable and possibly less confident. He may well be worried about homophobic bullying.

Sexuality might make a learner vulnerable to bullying or abuse. Being aware of the potential risk will help to safeguard the learner. However, factors that could contribute to vulnerability may not always be so obvious.

Write down any more thoughts in your Notepad for future reference.

Select tab 2 to watch the next part of the video.

Select the Play button to start the video.

After you have watched the video read the question, then type your answer into the text box. Select Save when you have finished.

What makes Anesu more vulnerable and why?

Anesu is away from her home culture and her family, so these factors are likely to make her vulnerable. She also has some difficulties with the language and communicating her feelings, making it harder for her to discuss any issues.

Being a recently arrived refugee could contribute to a learner's vulnerability to bullying or abuse, and an awareness of this potential risk will help to safeguard learners. Contributing factors may not always be as obvious as this, however.

Write down any more thoughts in your Notepad for future reference.

Select tab 3 to watch the next part of the video.

Select the Play button to start the video.

After you have watched the video read the question, then type your answer into the text box. Select Save when you have finished.

What makes Peter more vulnerable and why?

Peter's situation could make him more vulnerable to financial abuse. Assumptions must not be made from these details, but if Peter always buys the drinks it is possible that his friends are taking advantage of his disabilities.

Physical or learning difficulties may make a learner more vulnerable to bullying, abuse or both. An awareness of the potential risk will help ensure that learners are effectively safeguarded. Not all contributing factors will be as obvious as the examples in these scenarios.

Write down any more thoughts in your Notepad for future reference.

Select tab 4 to watch the next part of the video.

Select the Play button to start the video.

After you have watched the video read the question, then type your answer into the text box. Select Save when you have finished.

Think of any factors that have not been explored in this video that might make learners more vulnerable.

There are many factors that could contribute to vulnerability, and these may be hidden. They could also be temporary, such as a family bereavement or even moving house. Some examples might include:

  • Any disability or special needs.
  • Drug and alcohol misuse.
  • Mental health issues.
  • Domestic violence.
  • Facial or other physical disfigurement.
  • Ethnicity.
  • Sexuality.
  • Social background.
  • English language competency.
  • Involvement with the criminal justice system.

These factors could apply either to the learner directly or to parents or carers. Write down any more thoughts in your Notepad for future reference.

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Personal support

Click on a heading below for links to source of support

Support Me

The following links highlight sources of support for you if you are personally affected by any of the issues raised in this course. Select a link to open it in a new window.

Samaritans A confidential telephone or email listening service if you need to talk about your own experiences.

SupportLine Offers confidential emotional support by telephone, email and post, working to help develop healthy and positive coping strategies. They also keep details of counsellors, agencies and support groups throughout the UK.

Help for Adult Victims of Child Abuse (HAVOCA) Provides support, friendship and advice for any adult whose life has been affected by childhood abuse.

Support for Learners

The following links highlight sources of support for learners or anyone else you know who may be personally affected by any of the issues raised in this course. Select a link to open it in a new window.

ChildLine Offers support, advice and guidance for anyone up to the age of 18 on a variety of topics, including abuse.

Respond A national, free service for children, young people, adults and elders with learning difficulties.

TheSite Young adult oriented searchable website offering support, advice and guidance on a wide range of topics, including abuse.

Information, Advice and Guidance

The following links highlight sources of further information, advice and guidance around the issues raised in this course. Select a link to open it in a new window.

Ann Craft Trust An organisation focused on safeguarding people with learning disabilities.

Department of Health The Department of Health website contains useful information about safeguarding adults.