aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type	Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson
Which subject	Health
What age group	Adult courses
What topic	Safeguarding
Quantity	1
Any other preferences

Introduction to Safeguarding: Creating a Safe Environment

Lesson Opening Activity: The Safety Spectrum

Objective:

To engage participants in a thought-provoking discussion about safeguarding practices and enhance their understanding of its importance in health-related settings.

Activity Overview:

Begin the lesson with an interactive exercise called "The Safety Spectrum." This activity encourages participants to reflect on their perceptions of safeguarding, the importance of creating a safe environment, and the various dimensions of safeguarding in health contexts.

Materials Needed:

• A long piece of string or tape
• Sticky notes or cards in two colours (one colour for 'agree', one for 'disagree')
• Markers for participants to write their thoughts

Instructions:

1. Set the Scene: As participants enter the room, set up a "safety spectrum" line across the centre of the space. Use the string or tape to create a line with one end labelled "Strongly Agree" and the other end labelled "Strongly Disagree."

2. Present Statements: Read out a series of statements related to safeguarding, such as:

   • "Everybody has a responsibility to report suspicions of abuse."
   • "Safeguarding policies can be an unnecessary formality in healthcare."
   • "Training on safeguarding should be mandatory for all healthcare workers."
   • "Client autonomy is more important than safeguarding in certain cases."

3. Engage Participants: After each statement, ask participants to physically position themselves along the safety spectrum line according to their view. They can place a sticky note or card on the line that represents their stance (agree/disagree).

4. Facilitate Discussion: Once everyone is positioned, invite a few participants from different positions to share their thoughts. This allows for diverse perspectives and encourages a rich dialogue about safeguarding. Guide the discussion towards the importance of safeguarding practices and the varying views within a health context.

5. Transition to Lesson Content: After the discussion, summarise the key points raised, reinforcing the importance of safeguarding in health settings. Explain that the rest of the lesson will delve deeper into safeguarding policies, practices, and real-world applications to ensure everyone understands their role in maintaining a safe environment.

Conclusion:

This engaging start not only fosters interaction but also sets a tone of openness and critical thinking. Participants leave their preconceptions at the door, ready to explore the vital topic of safeguarding in health settings with fresh eyes and an attentive mindset.