Guidance on using independent trainers
(paid or unpaid) to deliver safeguarding related training
Some organisations choose to commission safeguarding or child protection training, for staff or service users, from an independent provider. If an organisation chooses to do this, they must ensure that the content of the training is suitable for the needs of the audience and is delivered to a standard agreed by the Leeds Safeguarding Children Partnership.
For this reason, the Leeds Safeguarding Children Partnership has produced the following guidance for the delivery / commissioning of training. This guidance should assist organisations that wish to commission training from an independent provider in ensuring that the training they receive is of the standard required by the Leeds Safeguarding Children Partnership and (for education providers) by OFSTED.
The Leeds Safeguarding Children Partnership welcomes discussion with organisations who wish to commission independent training, and also with independent providers. The Leeds Safeguarding Children Partnership is able to provide advice and guidance on introductory level minimum course content and delivery but cannot provide any form of “accreditation” to courses offered by independent providers. It is therefore essential that organisations who are considering commissioning an independent provider ensure that the principles outlined are followed, in order to ensure that the training they receive is fit for purpose, and seek advice where required, from the Leeds Safeguarding Children Partnership. LSCP will not be.
The Yorkshire and Humber Multi-Agency Safeguarding Trainers have developed and adopted a minimum standards for safeguarding training which we encourage partner agencies to consider for in-house training.
Each agency is responsible for ensuring access to introductory safeguarding training which is often delivered in-house. For those agencies who may wish to deliver/commission their own introductory training, the LSCP have created a checklist which lists the core areas which should be covered and suggested content. It is the responsibility of the individual agency / organisation to audit their in-house safeguarding training against the core content as detailed in the checklist.
The checklist has been agreed by all the West Yorkshire LSCPs to provide a standardised approach for all our partner agencies, and will support organisations in being Section 11 compliant with regards to training.
The checklist is reviewed by the West Yorkshire LSCP Trainers Group and is revised as required by any changes in guidance / legislation.
Please ensure all in house / commissioned safeguarding training meets the suggested requirements above.
For further advice please contact the Training and Development Officer, Leeds LSCP – LSCP.training@leeds.gov.uk