Introduction to Child Protection (One day)

This course provides an overview of fundamental Child Protection issues including definitions, signs, risks, procedures, and legislation. In doing this, the course encourages participants to explore their own attitudes to Child Protection as a starting point for further learning. The course uses current developments in the area of Child Protection such as Every Child Matters and the Children Act 2004 to explore critical issues such as inter-agency working and early intervention.

The course is relevant to professionals in social work and social care settings who are se primary work may not involve direct work with children, but who still require an understanding of key Child Protection issues.

The learning objectives:

By the end of this course learners should understand:

• What is meant by the concept of Significant Harm
• The potential for child abuse via the internet
Issues regarding sexual activity in under 18 year olds
Issues regarding abuse perpetrated by children
Child Exploitiation
• How to recognise and describe signs and indicators of child abuse and neglect
• How their personal attitudes affect their understanding of child abuse
• Key Child Protection processes, procedures and legislation:
        -The Children Act 1989
        -The Children Act 2004
        -What to Do if You are Worried A Child is Being abused
Sexual Offences Act 2003
        -Working Together to Safeguard Children
• The importance of inter-agency working between statutory Child Protection agencies and other professionals
• The relevance of cultural issues
• What is required within their own agency policy and procedure and what to expect when referring children and families to statutory agencies

• How to include a child or young person in making a Child Protection referral

Learning methods:

• Tutor presentations
• Warm ups and icebreakers
• Case studies
• Handouts
• Small group work
• PowerPoint
• Discussion

CP128/5.9