Safeguarding Children - Level 3 (CSTF aligned)

Learning Outcomes and Course Objectives

By the end of this course learners should:

• Know and understand what constitutes child maltreatment.

• Identify possible signs of child maltreatment using a child and family approach.

• Know about and be able to recognise potential indicators of child maltreatment including physical, emotional and sexual abuse as well as neglect.

• Be aware of relevant legislation including the Children Acts 2004 & 1989, and the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

• Know about, and understand the importance of, children’s rights in the context of safeguarding and protecting children.

• Understand the impact a parent’s/carer’s behaviour or physical and mental health, can have on the well-being of a child or young person in order to be able to identify a child or young person at risk.

• Understand the impact of domestic violence on the well-being of a child.

• Recognise the importance of sharing information and know what action to take if there are concerns, including to whom concerns should be reported, and from whom to seek advice.

• Understand the risks associated with the internet and online social networking.

• Recognise potential indicators of female genital mutilation may have occurred. Have knowledge of cultural situations where FGM is prevalent and be prepared to ask relevant questions in order to identify cases.

• Be able to act as an effective advocate for a child or young person.

• Be able to identify their own professional role, responsibilities and professional boundaries, and those of colleagues in a multidisciplinary team and in multi-agency setting.

• Know how and when to refer to social care if a lack of proper child protection or safeguarding is identified as a concern.

• Be able to appropriately record and document concerns relating to child protection and safeguarding, in a format that informs the relevant staff and agencies whilst differentiating between facts and opinion.

• Know how to maintain appropriate and relevant information and how share it with others.

• Understand key statutory and non-statutory, guidance and legislation including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and Human Rights Act.

• Be aware of the risk factors for radicalisation and know who to contact regarding preventative action and support for those vulnerable young persons who may be at risk of, or are being drawn into, terrorist related activity.

• Be able to identify and refer a child suspected of being a victim of trafficking and /or sexual exploitation.

• Understand forensic procedures in child maltreatment and know how to relate these practices in order to meet clinical and legal requirements as required.

• Be able to undertake forensic procedures and demonstrate how to present the findings and evidence to legal requirements.

• Understand the basic principles of preventing child abuse.

• Know how to undertake, where appropriate, a risk and harm assessment.

• Know how to communicate effectively with children and young people, and how to ensure that they have the opportunity to participate in decisions affecting them as appropriate to their age and ability.

• Know how to contribute to, and make considered judgements about how to act to safeguard/protect a child or young person.

• Know how to contribute to/formulate and communicate effective management plans for children and young people who have been maltreated.

• Understand the issues surrounding misdiagnosis in safeguarding/child protection and to know how to effectively manage diagnostic uncertainty and risk.

• Know how to appropriately contribute to inter-agency assessments by gathering and sharing information.

• Be able to document concerns in a manner that is appropriate for safeguarding/child protection and legal processes.

• Know how to undertake documented reviews of safeguarding/child protection practice as appropriate to role (e.g. through audit, case discussion, peer review, and supervision and as a component of refresher training).

• Know how to deliver and receive supervision within effective models of supervision and/or peer review, and be able to recognise the potential personal impact of safeguarding/child protection work on professionals.