1. Foundation – “The 3 Rs – Responsibilities, Recognising and Reporting”

 

Duration - 2 Days

 

This course is relevant and aimed at a wide range of different staff groups who have direct or indirect contact with children. For those staff members who have a high level of contact with children and their families (e.g. Social workers, Designated Child Protection Teachers etc), this course should form part of their induction period. This programme also includes Inter-Agency collaboration and each agency’s role within that process. For other staff groups, this course is suitable as a refresher module or form part of their continuing professional development.

 

Learning Outcomes :-

• Have an awareness of current issues within the area of Child Protection at a national level.
• Understand the roles of different agencies in the Child Protection process, within the overall framework of interagency co-operation.
• Recognise the different tasks to be carried out by each agency

 

2. Understanding Child Sexual Abuse

 

Duration - 1 Day

 

Provides participants from different agencies with the information, awareness and context necessary in order to be alert to potential signals that a child may be suffering from child sexual abuse and to know what to do. These include

• Child behavioural indicators
• Situational, contextual and cultural factors
• Listening to children skills
• Procedural and practice issues

 

Learning outcomes:-

• Have increased awareness of how to recognise if a child is being sexually abused.
• Be reassured children who survive child sexual abuse can achieve positive adult relationships.
• Be aware of relevant changes in legislation. Including a working knowledge of policies and procedures, including what to do if they believe a child is a victim of sexual abuse.
• Have received basic information about child sexual abuse and technology
• Be familiar with some of the contextual and environmental factors to consider in cases of child sexual abuse.
• Appreciate the significance of factors and influences related to culture, religion and ethnicity.
• Have gained understanding of how offenders think and act, including grooming techniques of victims and others.
• Understand the importance of co-operative working in order to safeguard children.
• Know what to do if a child discloses sexual abuse.
• Have learning of impacts, short-term and long-term, of child sexual abuse.
• Recognise impacts on colleagues and co-workers.

 

3. Child Protection, Cyber-bullying and Technology

Duration - 1 Day

 

Provides participants from different agencies with the information, awareness and context necessary in order to be alert to potential signals that a child may be suffering from Cyber-bullying or other forms of child abuse associated with modern Information and Communication Technologies (such as computers, games consoles and mobile phones and social networking) and to know what to do. These include

• Child behavioural indicators
• Situational, contextual and cultural factors
• Listening to children skills
• Procedural and practice issues

 

Learning outcomes:-

• The potentials, opportunities, uses and risks of Information & Communication Technologies.
• Legislation pertaining to Information & Communication Technologies which is designed to protect children from sexual exploitation on the Internet.
• The continuum for safeguarding children on the Internet, from risk-taking behaviours to child abuse
• Cyber-bullying
• Tactics used by paedophiles and sexual predators on the Internet
• Investigation procedures
• Signs & symptoms of cyber-abuse
• Working Together to prevent Cyber-Abuse – support available

 

4. Safeguarding Children

 

        Module 1 – Understanding Domestic Violence as a Child Protection issue  

        Module 2 – Vulnerable & Disabled Children as a Child Protection issue    

        Module 3 – Sexual Exploitation of Children as a Child Protection issue

 

Duration – available as a standard 3 Day course (completed as 1 day per week for 3 consecutive weeks) or as an individual 1 Day Module

 

Provides participants from different work environments / agencies / organisations with the information, awareness and context necessary in order to be alert to potential issues or circumstances that may be having an adverse impact on a child’s wellbeing & welfare and, to know what to do. These include

• Child behavioural indicators
• Situational, contextual and cultural factors
• Listening to children skills
• Procedural and practice issues       

 

Module 1 - Understanding Domestic Violence as a Child Protection issue

 

Aim

• To raise awareness that domestic Violence is a serious child protection issue,
• The risks for children living in a domestic violence environment.
• To give an overview of the processes involved in protecting children who are living with domestic abuse.

 

Learning Outcome

• Define and understand the associated terms & definitions
• Have an understanding  of the context and values relating to domestic abuse
• Exploring personal and social attitudes and beliefs
• Review of legislation, policies and guidelines.
• Look at the links between domestic abuse and child abuse
• Have a knowledge of National & international research about the impact of domestic abuse on both adults and children.
• Disseminate local resources.

 

Module 2 - Vulnerable & Disabled Children as a Child Protection issue

 

Aim

• To raise awareness of the issues relating to safeguarding children with disabilities or, through circumstances are vulnerable.
• How to respond, protect and support such children

 

Learning Outcomes

• Understand why disabled children are more vulnerable than other children.
• Identify the blocks and barriers to safeguarding children with disabilities.
• Describe how to use thresholds for triggering assessments/enquiries.
• Discuss strategies for the empowerment of children with disabilities.
• Have an awareness of support mechanisms available to assist and support vulnerable children & young people at risk of significant harm.

 

 

Module 3 - Sexual Exploitation of Children as a Child Protection issue

 

Aim

• To raise awareness of how children and young people become involved in sexual exploitation and the impact of their involvement.
• To protect and support children and young people in this situation
• To increase effectiveness in working together to safeguard children and young people from exploitation.

 

Learning Outcomes

• Discuss current local and national information regarding children and young people who may or being exploited.
• Understand how young people can become involved in or be at risk of being involved in exploitation through prostitution.
• Understand key issues in relation to sexual exploitation
• Be able to respond to children and young people at risk of or involved in sexual exploitation