Background Safeguarding leads within Sue Ryder hospices report a disconnect between theoretical knowledge and practical application in their roles. Level 3 Safeguarding training should include personal reflection and scenario-based discussion, drawing on case studies, serious case reviews, and lessons from research and audit (Skills for Health & Health Education England. Core skills training framework (England) statutory/mandatory subject guide. vers. 1.1, 2021). Recognising that e-learning does not accommodate collaborative learning, our project sought to address this gap by implementing interactive training sessions to complement e-learning.

Rationale The gap between theory and practice in safeguarding within hospice care poses significant risks to vulnerable patients. Without a cohesive understanding and application of safeguarding principles, patient welfare may be compromised. Thus, there is a pressing need to enhance the knowledge and skills of safeguarding leads through interactive training.

Aim To provide safeguarding leads with interactive training sessions that bridge the gap between theoretical understanding and practical application thus empowering safeguarding leads to effectively implement safeguarding protocols and ensure the safety and well-being of hospice patients.

Methods Interactive training sessions based on adult learning principles, incorporating case studies, role-plays, and group discussions. Pre- and post-training assessments were conducted to measure knowledge gain and skill development. Participant feedback and evaluations were also collected to assess the effectiveness of the training.

Results Anticipated results include improved knowledge retention, enhanced confidence in safeguarding practices, and increased ability to apply theoretical concepts in real-world scenarios. These outcomes are expected to contribute to a safer and more secure hospice environment for patients.

Conclusions We expect to conclude that interactive training is an effective approach to bridging the gap between theory and practice in safeguarding within hospice care. Recommendations will include the integration of interactive training into ongoing professional development programs for safeguarding leads, ensuring continued competence and efficacy in safeguarding practices, we are also in the process of developing interactive training on MCA, Best interest decisions and DoLs.