Health and Justice pharmacy (prisons and secure environments)

This e-learning aims to enable pharmacists and technicians to offer a safe and effective pharmacy service for people in secure environments.

Learning Outcomes:

• list the different categories of prison and secure environment and explain the differences (include differences between public and private)
• discuss the roles and responsibilities of different prison staff, including healthcare staff
• describe the offender health pathway in relation to secure environments
• contrast the health and social care needs in a secure environment with those in the general population
• describe how prison health is regulated and how the prison regime impacts on healthcare delivery
• describe the secure environment healthcare service and the role that pharmacy has to play
• explain the risks associated with the storage, supply, administration and disposal of OTC medicines (including homely remedies), PGD medicines, POM medicines and controlled drugs in secure environments
• describe the minimum qualifications of the healthcare staff who request, prescribe, supply and administer medicines in a secure environment.

In this programme you will consider what is different about consulting with people with mental health problems. You will also recognise the impact of stigma and discrimination experienced by those with mental health problems and how to adapt your consultation style to address their needs and concerns.

Learning Outcomes:

• describe the mental health treatment gap and the importance of parity of esteem (valuing mental health equally with physical health)
• recognise the impact of stigma and discrimination experienced by those with mental health problems
• select the key national practice standards most applicable to pharmacy consultations with people with mental health problems
• reflect on your consultations with people experiencing mental health problems
• maximise the effectiveness of your consultations in this field by applying person-centred skills and behaviours
• identify possible risks in your consultations with people with mental health problems.

The Safeguarding Children Level 1 e-learning programme and assessment covers the statutory and mandatory training to meet the learning outcomes in the UK Core Skills Training Framework (England) v1.1.

To meet Level 1 safeguarding requirements, you should also complete the Safeguarding Adults Level 1 e-learning and assessment.

If you are required to meet Level 2 safeguarding training and competency, in addition to this Safeguarding Children Level 1 programme, you should also complete the following e-learning and assessments:

• Safeguarding Children Level 2
• Safeguarding Adults Level 1
• Safeguarding Adults Level 2

Please note: The Safeguarding children Level 1 e-learning and assessment programme provided by NHS England’s elearning for healthcare (elfh) hub is accessed by clicking on the Access button above. When you reach the elfh webpage, you will need to create an elfh account if you have not already done so. Please be aware that CPPE does not maintain control over the accuracy and currency of this programme.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of all aspects of this learning programme you should be able to:

• describe potential indicators of child maltreatment in its different forms; physical, emotional and sexual abuse, neglect, grooming and exploitation to support and/or commit acts of terrorism (known as radicalisation)
• show an awareness of child trafficking, female genital mutilation (FGM), forced marriage*, modern slavery, gang and electronic media abuse, sexual exploitation, county lines (young people involved in organised crime who are coerced to traffic drugs or other illegal items around the country)
• describe the risks associated with the internet and online social networking
• show an awareness of the vulnerability of looked-after children, children with disabilities, unaccompanied children, care leavers, young carers and missing children 
• understand the impact a parent or carer's physical and mental health can have on the wellbeing of a child or young person, including the impact of domestic abuse and violence and substance misuse
• understand the importance of children’s rights in the safeguarding/child protection context
• indicate what you should do if you have concerns, including who to report them to and where to get advice.
• show an awareness of relevant legislation (Children Act 1989, Children Act 2004, and Children and Social Work Act 2017 and the Sexual Offences Act 2003).

*child marriage (Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022)

The Safeguarding Children Level 2 e-learning programme and assessment covers the statutory and mandatory training to meet the learning outcomes in the UK Core Skills Training Framework (England) v1.1.

To meet Level 2 safeguarding training and competency, in addition to this Safeguarding Children Level 2 programme, you should also complete the following e-learning and assessments:

• Safeguarding Children Level 1
• Safeguarding Adults Level 1
• Safeguarding Adults Level 2

Please note: The Safeguarding Children Level 2 e-learning and assessment programme provided by NHS England’s elearning for healthcare (elfh) hub is accessed by clicking on the Access button above. When you reach the elfh webpage, you will need to create an elfh account if you have not already done so. Please be aware that CPPE does not maintain control over the accuracy and currency of this programme.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of all aspects of this learning programme you should be able to:

• describe what constitutes child maltreatment and identify signs of child abuse or neglect
• act as an effective advocate for the child or young person
• understand the potential impact of a parent or carer's physical and mental health on the wellbeing of a child or young person in order to identify a child or young person at risk
• identify your own professional role, responsibilities and professional boundaries, and understand those of colleagues in a multidisciplinary team and multi-agency setting
• describe how and when to refer to social care if a safeguarding and/or child protection concern is identified
• document safeguarding and/or child protection concerns in a format that informs the relevant staff and agencies appropriately
• maintain appropriate records including being able to differentiate between fact and opinion
• identify the appropriate and relevant information and how to share it with other teams
• show awareness of the risk of FGM in certain communities, be willing to ask about FGM in the course of taking a routine history where appropriate to role, know who to contact if a child makes a disclosure of impending or completed mutilation, show awareness of the signs and symptoms and be able to refer appropriately for further care and support, including the FGM mandatory reporting duties to the police, in accordance with current legislation
• show awareness of the risk factors for grooming and exploitation to support and/or commit acts of terrorism (known as radicalisation), and know who to contact regarding preventive action and supporting those vulnerable young persons who may be at risk of, or are being drawn into, terrorist-related activity
• identify and refer a child suspected of being a victim of trafficking and/or sexual exploitation.

The Safeguarding Adults Level 1 e-learning programme and assessment covers the statutory and mandatory training to meet the learning outcomes in the UK Core Skills Training Framework (Engalnd) v1.1.

To meet Level 1 safeguarding requirements, you should also complete the Safeguarding Children Level 1 e-learning and assessment

If you are required to meet Level 2 safeguarding training and competency, in addition to this Safeguarding Adults Level 1 programme, you should also complete the following e-learning and assessments:

• Safeguarding Adults Level 2
• Safeguarding Children Level 1
• Safeguarding Children Level 2

Please note: The Safeguarding Adults Level 1 e-learning and assessment programme provided by NHS England's elearning for healthcare (elfh) hub is accessed by clicking on the Access button above. When you reach the elfh webpage, you will need to create an elfh account if you have not already done so. Please be aware that CPPE does not maintain control over the accuracy and currency of this programme.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of all aspects of this learning programme you should be able to:

• recognise potential indicators of abuse, harm and neglect
• describe the action to take if you have concerns, including to whom you should report your concerns and from whom to seek advice
• have a basic knowledge of the relevant legislation.

The Safeguarding Adults Level 2 e-learning programme and assessment covers the statutory and mandatory training to meet the learning outcomes in the UK Core Skills Training Framework (England) v1.1.

To meet Level 2 safeguarding training and competency, in addition to this Safeguarding Adults Level 2 programme, you should also complete the following e-learning and assessments:

• Safeguarding Adults Level 1
• Safeguarding Children Level 1
• Safeguarding Children Level 2

Please note: The Safeguarding Adults Level 2 e-learning and assessment programme provided by NHS England’s elearning for healthcare (elfh) hub is accessed by clicking on the Access button above. When you reach the elfh webpage, you will need to create an elfh account if you have not already done so. Please be aware that CPPE does not maintain control over the accuracy and currency of this programme.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of all aspects of this learning programme you should be able to:

• describe what constitutes harm, abuse and neglect and identify any signs of them
• ensure effective advocacy is provided where required (for example where there are mental capacity or communication issues, in line with the legislation and professional guidance)
• identify your professional role, responsibilities and professional boundaries, and those of your colleagues in a multidisciplinary team and multi-agency setting
• explain how and when to refer to social care in accordance with organisational policies if you have identified an adult safeguarding concern
• document safeguarding concerns in a format that informs the relevant staff and agencies appropriately
• maintain appropriate records including being able to differentiate between fact and opinion
• identify the appropriate and relevant information and know how to share it with other teams
• describe key statutory and non-statutory guidance and legislation including Human Rights Act and mental capacity legislation in country of practice
• show awareness of the risk factors for radicalisation and know who to contact regarding preventive action and supporting those persons who may be at risk of, or are being drawn into, terrorist related activity.

The aim of this programme is to support you to apply underpinning safeguarding knowledge and develop the confidence and skills to identify and report safeguarding concerns you encounter in practice. It will enable you to consider how you can take a person-centred approach to safeguarding and understand how you can meet your safeguarding responsibilities in whichever sector(s) of practice you work.

Please note: 

A revised Intercollegiate document (2025) Safeguarding children and young people & children and young people in care: Competencies for health care staff was published in November 2025. We are currently reviewing this e-learning programme in light of this publication.

Completion of this programme is not sufficient on its own to meet the core Level 2 safeguarding training requirements. Pharmacy professionals must also complete the elearning for healthcare (elfh) Level 1 & 2 learning and assessments (or equivalent). You can access the elfh safeguarding programmes here:

Safeguarding adults Level 1

Safeguarding adults Level 2

Safeguarding children Level 1

Safeguarding children Level 2

Learning Outcomes:

• explain your role and responsibilities in safeguarding adults, children and young people
• recognise potential signs of neglect and abuse that you may encounter in pharmacy practice across integrated care systems
• use your knowledge of guidance and legislation to identify safeguarding concerns where a person lacks the mental capacity to consent and make decisions for themselves
• take appropriate action when you identify a safeguarding concern, including seeking advice, reporting, appropriately sharing information and recording your concerns
• apply your learning to take a person-centred approach to safeguarding concerns
• build a toolkit of resources to support you and your pharmacy team when dealing with safeguarding concerns.

This e-assessment is linked with the CPPE Providing pharmacy services for secure environments e-learning programme and assesses you on the learning outcomes within that programme.

Why should I do this assessment?

This e-assessment completes the learning you began with the CPPE Providing pharmacy services for secure environments e-learning programme. Access and successful completion will contribute to your own personal development plan, be recorded in your My CPPE record and will enable you to complete a CPD entry on the learning. It may also provide evidence for achieving competencies in the different competency frameworks that apply across your career.