Working Together to Safeguard Children

Overview:

Level 2 - For those who work regularly with children and young people, and those who work with adults who are carers, including practitioners who contribute to assessments of 'children in need'.

Participants will be expected to have completed the Level 1 course or be able to demonstrate that they have met the learning outcomes.

Aims & Objectives:

Course Aims:

This course aims to establish a common understanding of key terms, definitions and thresholds for action. It will examine the core tasks involved to safeguard children - assessments, planning, core groups, child protection conferences and decision making, as well as the procedural and legislative framework.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course participants will:

  • Be able to describe the legislative and policy context of child protection
  • Have a sound understanding of principles and processes for effective collaborative inter-agency work.
  • Communicate and develop inter-agency working relationships to promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people.
  • Understand the contribution made by other key agencies to safeguarding children.
  • Understand legal and organisational frameworks, including levels of accountability of decision making.
  • Understand inter-agency child protection processes
  • Have explored the balance between vulnerability and resilience for children and families in need.
  • Have an understanding of their own professional responsibility in relation to child protection, including the need for professional challenge.
  • Demonstrate an awareness of the emotional dimension of safeguarding work and identify a network for personal support

Course Outline:

  • Agreement of ground rules
    " Review of Level 1 outcomes, with particular reference to identification of concerns about children
  • Further consideration of signs and indicators of child abuse and neglect
  • Legislative framework with particular reference to Children Act 1989 and the concept of significant harm
  • Consideration of the blocks and barriers to inter-agency working and ways of overcoming them
  • Talking to parents about concerns
  • Assessment tools including vulnerability and resilience matrix
  • Working within the child protection processes - assessments, child protection conferences, core groups etc
  • Safe working practices including support and supervision and management of allegations against people working with children
  • Personal action planning

The course will be delivered using a variety of methods including:

  • Presentations
  • Video
  • Small group work - exercises and discussion
  • Large group discussion
  • Role play
  • Case studies
  • Quizzes

The course will be delivered over 1 or 2 days (9.30 - 4.30). If delivered over 2 days the scope for interactive exercises will be increased.

Participants will be invited to complete evaluation forms and will be encouraged to discuss their learning and future development needs with their supervisor/manager.