Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults for ORE Part 1
Guide to identifying physical, emotional, and sexual child abuse, dental neglect, FGM mandatory reporting, and adult protection.
Key Syllabus Concepts Tested in Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults
- Child physical abuse indicators: Torn upper labial frenulum in non-ambulatory infants, immersion scalds
- Dental neglect: Persistent failure to seek care resulting in severe unaddressed oral sepsis or pain
- Mandatory Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) reporting duty notifying Police directly for under-18s
- Vulnerable adult safeguarding: Unexplained bruising, financial exploitation, and NHS MASH hub referrals
Sample SBA Practice Questions
Sample Question 1 (Paper B)
During a routine check-up of a 5-year-old child, you notice non-accidental injuries including cigarette burns and torn labial frenulum. What is your primary immediate duty?
- Ask the parents to explain the injuries and record their account before deciding whether referral is needed
- Record the findings in detail and arrange a review in two weeks to check whether further injuries appear
- Record the findings in detail and contact local Children's Social Care or the safeguarding lead the same day
- Refer the child to the GP or health visitor for medical assessment and await their opinion before acting
✅ Correct Answer: Record the findings in detail and contact local Children's Social Care or the safeguarding lead the same day
Explanation: Suspected child abuse requires detailed clinical documentation and immediate referral to local safeguarding leads or social service.
Clinical Pearl: Suspected child physical abuse requires immediate documentation and safeguarding referral.
Sample Question 2 (Paper B)
Which indicator is most characteristic of physical child abuse in dental presentations?
- Multiple untreated carious teeth with abscesses and repeatedly missed appointments
- Bilateral symmetrical enamel hypoplasia affecting all four primary incisors
- A torn upper labial frenulum in an infant who is not yet walking
- A fractured upper incisor with labial bruising in a toddler who has just started walking
✅ Correct Answer: A torn upper labial frenulum in an infant who is not yet walking
Explanation: A torn labial frenulum in non-ambulatory infants strongly suggests blunt force trauma / forced feeding (physical abuse).
Clinical Pearl: Torn labial frenulum in non-ambulatory infants is strongly indicative of physical abuse.
Sample Question 3 (Paper B)
What is the primary role of the practice Safeguarding Lead?
- Advise colleagues on raising concerns and coordinate referrals to local social services
- Decide alone whether a case meets the threshold for a child protection plan
- Keep the practice's staff DBS clearance and immunisation records as their main duty
- Interview the child and parents to establish whether abuse has occurred before referring
✅ Correct Answer: Advise colleagues on raising concerns and coordinate referrals to local social services
Explanation: The designated Safeguarding Lead manages practice safeguarding policy, advises staff, and coordinates social care referrals.
Clinical Pearl: Practice Safeguarding Lead coordinates child/adult protection policies and social care liaison.
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