This self-guided eLearning course has been developed by Artswork Professional Development in collaboration with GEM, specifically for professionals working in museum and heritage contexts.

Safeguarding responsibilities in museums and heritage settings can look and feel different to those in other sectors. From working with community groups to managing front-of-house teams, freelancers and public spaces, safeguarding practice must respond to a wide range of audiences, environments and risks.

This course builds on core safeguarding principles while exploring how they apply in museum and heritage settings, helping you recognise concerns, respond appropriately, and understand your role within your organisation’s safeguarding framework.

What the course covers

The course provides a solid overview of safeguarding, with sector-specific scenarios and examples drawn from museum and heritage practice. You’ll explore:

  • The background to safeguarding and why it matters in museum and heritage contexts

  • Who we safeguard, including children, young people and adults at risk of harm

  • The different categories and forms of abuse

  • How safeguarding concerns might present in museum and heritage settings

  • How to recognise, record and report concerns using your organisation’s safeguarding procedures

  • Your role and responsibilities within a safeguarding framework


Throughout the course, learning is grounded in realistic situations you may encounter in museum and heritage environments, supporting practical application.


Course length

The course takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete, depending on your pace and how much time you spend reflecting on scenarios.

An Interactive Learning Experience

This engaging self-guided course combines a variety of formats to keep learning active and relevant:

  • Video explainers to ground key concepts

  • Branching scenarios to consider decisions in realistic contexts

  • Hotspot images and case studies to practise recognition and response

  • Flashcards to break down complex topics

  • Puzzles, quizzes and matching exercises to test understanding

  • Reflection prompts to apply ideas to your organisation and role

  • Audio options and full transcripts for every section, ensuring full accessibility

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:

  • Understand safeguarding principles and how they apply in museum and heritage settings
  • Feel more confident identifying and responding to safeguarding concerns
  • Know how and when to escalate concerns through appropriate safeguarding channels
  • Be clearer about your own responsibilities and boundaries within your role

This course is brought to you by the expert trainers at Artswork Professional Development, who are proud to share their decades of experience of personal and professional development within the creative, cultural and heritage sectors.

Who is this course for?

This course is suitable for GEM members working across museums, galleries, archives and heritage sites, including:


  • Staff and freelancers working directly with children, young people or adults at risk

  • Front-of-house, learning, engagement and visitor services teams

  • Volunteers and volunteer managers

  • Managers and supervisors with safeguarding responsibilities

  • Anyone supporting delivery, operations or public-facing activity


Whether safeguarding forms a central part of your role or sits alongside other responsibilities, this course will help you feel more confident and clear about what to do when concerns arise.


Access and support

This course is available exclusively to GEM members.

If you experience any issues accessing the course or need support, please contact [email protected] and a member of the Artswork Professional Development team will be happy to help.

Course Features

  • Fully Online

    Complete anywhere, anytime

  • Self-Paced

    Pause and return as needed, with one year’s access

  • Accessible format

    All videos have transcripts, plus audio options for text content

  • Practical application

    Exercises and scenarios directly linked to realistic contexts

  • Ongoing reference

    Revisit frameworks and checklists for future projects

What Others Are Saying

This course has helped me to think about safeguarding within the context of my own work, rather than all purely in a theoretical sense.

I'm so glad I now have a clearer understanding of the different categories of abuse for adults and children, including up-to-date information & revised government guidance that I wasn't aware of. The section about managing disclosures was also clear and well set out.

I loved the interactive stuff to reflect on my own practice. This course is thorough, but digestible. Highly relevant for the Heritage sector.

Training Teams with Ease

If you’re purchasing on behalf of others, a group order gives you Seat Manager access. This includes a simple admin dashboard where you can:

  • Share sign-up links with staff (whether or not they already have an account)

  • Enrol or remove individuals directly

  • Track progress and activity, including log-ins and licence use

It’s a cost-effective way to provide consistent training across teams – with remote access and the flexibility for everyone to learn at their own pace.

If you prefer to pay by invoice/PO, get in touch and we’ll set this up for you.

Other self-guided courses available:

FAQs

  • Is this course delivered live?

    No. It is a self-guided course which you can complete at your own pace. It will take around 2-3 hours to complete (depending on the time spent on activities), and you can review content once the course has been completed.

  • Why is safeguarding essential for organisations?

    Safeguarding is not only a legal obligation but a commitment to ensuring a secure environment. It’s crucial for building trust with young people, adults, and stakeholders.

  • How will this course benefit my specific role?

    The course provides strategies for professionals across diverse roles within the museum and heritage sectors, ensuring practical applicability in your work context.

  • Is this course suitable for those new to safeguarding?

    Absolutely! This course caters to all levels of experience.

  • Is this course exclusively focused on safeguarding for young people?

    No, it is designed to cover safeguarding for all individuals, and provide you with the knowledge to safeguard both children and adults. Our comprehensive approach ensures that you gain insights and skills applicable to diverse age groups.

  • Will I receive a certificate of completion?

    Yes. You will be able to download a certificate of completion directly within the course player once all modules have been marked as completed.

  • How can I contact the training team for more information?

    Feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] for any enquiries or additional information.

  • How long will I have access to the course for?

    One year from the date of purchase.