Core areas (and suggestions for content):
Accountability regarding child protection (it’s everyone’s responsibility)
- Quotes from Working Together 2018
Legislation / Guidance
- Overview of legislation
- Reference to principles of the Children Act 1989 and 2004 and underpinning values, including the concept of significant harm
- Refer to lessons from Serious Case Reviews (locally & nationally)
- Reference to Working Together 2018 Reference to What to do if you are worried a child is being abused 2015
- Reference to Information Sharing Guidance 2018
What is Child Abuse?
- Definitions of Abuse and recognition related to child development
- Definition and signs and symptoms of the categories of abuse from Working Together 2018
- Common sites for accidental and non-accidental injury
- Accident/incident record
- Highlight vulnerable groups (e.g., babies, looked after children, disabled and asylum-seeker children)
- Children who harm children
- Bullying / Sexual bullying
How we respond to children
- How to respond to a disclosure – good practice
Child Development and maintaining a child focus
- Awareness of normal child development, acknowledging each child is different however significant discrepancies may indicate abuse
- Seeking professional support
Impact of parenting Issues
- Family History and Functioning e.g. parents historical information, family make up, compromised parenting
- Understanding of the Leeds “Think Family, Work Family” approach
Understanding of Agency Role
- Agency Safeguarding Policy and Procedures
- Referral Procedures
- Staff Conduct and Managing Allegations against Staff
- Identification of individual with responsibility for child protection, i.e., designated officer
- Reference to LSCP Guidelines and Procedures, including allegations against staff and resolving conflict between agencies (Concerns Resolution Process).
- Support for staff
Identifying and responding to need
- Early Help Approach - Understanding of the Leeds Early Help Approach and where to access services for a child, from and the focus on early intervention through to child protection - Right Conversations, Right People, Right Time.
- Early Help Assessment (Formally CAF)
- How to make a referral – internal procedures and Duty and Advice Team
- Section 17 - Child in Need
- Section 47 - significant harm
- Referral Process
- Managing and Challenging Differences of Professional Opinion
- Concerns Resolution Process
Next steps in the safeguarding process and the role of other agencies in the protection of children
- Local services available to protect children
- Action following referral
- Understanding of other agencies roles in supporting families (ref to Cluster models and services)