Safeguarding training

Safeguarding training is considered good practice for all optometry professionals and helps to ensure you are able to comply with the GOC’s standards of practice.It is also required for registering with your National Health Board or the National Performers List (England). The College offers all pre-registration trainees access to free online training on safeguarding children and safeguarding adults.

What does the training entail? 

• There are two modules – one for safeguarding children and one for safeguarding adults. Each module should take from 1-2 hours to complete, depending on your individual learning speed.  
• The College recommends that you aim to set aside enough time to complete each module from start to finish at one sitting, as this will help ensure you absorb all the information properly.  
• You do not have to complete it all at once however - you can work through each module section by section and return to it at any time while you are a pre-registration trainee.   
• There are some questions and prompts to check your understanding as you work through each module, but no overall test to complete the training.
   

What do I get when I have completed the training?   

• Once you have completed each safeguarding training module as well as the feedback form you will be able to print and save a copy of a confirmation certificate. You will find the certificate in the ‘Certificate' section of each safeguarding course. 
• Please download a copy of each certificate and keep it safe. You will not be able to access the certificate once you have finished your pre-registration training.
   

Can I still access this training once I've passed the OSCE?

• If you have already passed the OSCE and are a fully qualified optometrist you will not be able to access the safeguarding training here.
• Fully qualified optometrists should use the equivalent free safeguarding training available from DOCET, for which you can also earn CET points.
• Please note: once you are fully qualified you cannot earn CET points retrospectively for safeguarding training completed as a pre-registration trainee – you will need to complete the training again through DOCET to earn CET points.  
   

To access the safeguarding training

1. Use the link below. You will need your email and password to login.
 

2. If you:

• have not had a College website login before, or
• cannot remember your password
  
  please click on 'forgotten password', enter your email address and we will send you a link to set/reset your password so that you can access the safeguarding training. 

3. If:

• you have not provided us with your current email, or
• the above forgotten password process is not working
  
  please complete the Register for a website login form.