Providing great e-learning is only half the battle. Getting people to actually use it is another challenge entirely.
Emily Thompson, Safeguarding Learning and Development Officer at Gateshead Safeguarding Partnership, knew this better than most. By pairing Me Learning’s digital learning library with a focused communications campaign, she helped grow the council’s active learner base from 196 to 975 in just 12 months.
The challenge: increasing engagement on non-mandatory training
When Emily joined Gateshead Safeguarding Partnership in 2025, the organisation had already invested in a range of Me Learning CPD-accredited e-learning courses.
Historically, most training had been delivered through face-to-face sessions. As the partnership looked to offer a more flexible, blended learning approach, e-learning provided an opportunity to complement existing programmes and give the workforce greater choice in how they learned.
Despite having access to high-quality online training, engagement remained relatively low.
“As with many organisations, the challenge wasn’t the quality of the training, it was making people aware that it was available and encouraging them to engage with it,” explains Emily.
This was particularly important as the training was not mandatory, meaning learners needed to see the value of the courses and choose to participate.
The solution: a targeted communications and engagement campaign
To tackle this, Emily focused on increasing awareness of the learning opportunities available.
Working across the safeguarding partnership, they developed a simple but effective communications strategy to promote the digital learning offer to a wider audience.
This included:
- Creating an interactive digital flyer featuring QR codes linking directly to the learning platform
- Distributing resources through partner organisations across the area
- Providing printed versions of the flyer during multi-agency training sessions with schools and other organisations
- Positioning the e-learning courses as a supplementary learning resource alongside existing training opportunities
The approach proved particularly successful with voluntary and community sector organisations, many of which have limited training budgets but still require access to high-quality safeguarding learning.
By making the offer visible and easy to access, Gateshead was able to reach learners who may previously have missed out on development opportunities.
The results: increasing user uptake by 397%
The impact of the initiative has been significant.
Over the last 12 months, the number of active learners using the platform increased from 196 to 975, an increase of more than 397%.
The flexibility of the digital learning offer has also helped learners access training at times that work for them.
For staff working shifts, part-time hours or across multiple organisations, the ability to complete training at their own pace has made learning more accessible and achievable.
The courses have also provided learners with evidence of training completion, supporting compliance and ongoing professional development requirements.
Key outcomes
- Increased active learners from 196 to 975 in 12 months
- Expanded access to safeguarding learning across the voluntary and community sector
- Improved flexibility for learners working varied hours and shift patterns
- Enhanced visibility and awareness of safeguarding training opportunities
- Strengthened reporting and oversight through the Form LMS
Simplifying administration and reporting
Alongside improving learner engagement, Gateshead has also benefited from the reporting capabilities within Form LMS.
Emily uses the platform to monitor learner activity and generate reports, helping her demonstrate uptake and engagement across the safeguarding partnership.
The ability to easily track participation has streamlined administration and reduced the time required to manage learning records.
A partnership built on support
A key factor in Gateshead’s decision to continue working with Me Learning has been the level of support provided throughout the partnership.
Emily highlighted the responsive and personalised nature of the team, describing it as an important contributor to the success of the programme.
The tailored support and quick turnaround times have helped reduce administration burdens and ensured the learning offer continues to meet the organisation’s evolving needs.
“It’s been great to see how much the uptake has grown from the work we’ve put into promoting the offer. Me Learning’s courses are brilliant – flexible, accessible and relevant to our local priorities. But what really stands out is the support. It’s responsive, it’s personal, and it genuinely makes my job easier.”
Emily Thompson, Safeguarding Learning and Development Officer
Advice for other organisations
For organisations looking to increase engagement with digital learning, Emily’s advice is simple:
Invest time in communicating the offer.
The learning platform itself can largely run independently once established, but success depends on making sure learners understand what is available and how it can support them.
By positioning e-learning as a flexible, supplementary resource and promoting it consistently through existing networks, organisations can significantly increase participation and maximise the value of their training investment.
What’s next?
Building on the success of its safeguarding learning programme, Gateshead Safeguarding Partnership is now working alongside Newcastle Safeguarding Children Partnership on a joint e-learning project.
The initiative will see the organisations collaborate on developing new learning content, with support from Me Learning’s subject matter experts and learning design team.
Further details of the project will be announced as development progresses, but it represents an exciting next step in Gateshead’s commitment to accessible, high-quality digital learning.
If you would like to find out more, please contact Anne Clayton, Digital Learning Consultant at Me Learning or learn more about our digital learning library and other solutions.
