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Levels and standards of courses

Safeguarding information

All staff as part of their induction should receive information on safeguarding issues. This is can be via local bulletins and Newsletters, inclusion in the Corporate induction pack or the production of Safeguarding Induction Booklets - where relevant. Training will alert employees to the definition of the four types of abuse, main signs and indicators, staff obligations to safeguard children and the procedures to be followed if any worker has concerns.

Training will alert employees to the definition of:

  • The 4 types of abuse

  • Main signs and indicators

  • Staff obligations to safeguard children

  • Procedures to be followed if there are concerns

Universal Safeguarding course content

These points should be addressed in any presentation or workshop.

They don't need to be followed in sequence, but trainers must ensure there is a narrative that makes sense.

Universal Safeguarding awareness

Each organisation is responsible for providing training to their staff and volunteers. The training should meet the required standards and content.  

Training can be done over a half-day, 1 day or evening training session. All workers who may come into contact with children and families in the course of their work should attend this training. 

Refresher updates are required regularly.

The standards, course content and learning outcomes should be covered within single agency Universal Safeguarding child protection training.  

The depth in which each area will be covered may vary within the various agencies. 

As a minimum standard each area should be addressed and acknowledged in the single agency’s Universal Safeguarding training.

Each agency will decide the most appropriate method for carrying out the training - e.g. workshop, group or individual coaching. 

Outcomes of Universal Safeguarding course 

By the end of the Universal Safeguarding course participants will be able to: 

  • Challenge myths and stereotypes associated with child abuse and the process of safeguarding children

  • Recognise the signs and indicators that may raise child protection concerns

  • Describe the legislative framework and local procedures as they relate to safeguarding children

  • Appreciate their roles and responsibilities in relation to recording and referring child protection concerns

  • Demonstrate positive attitudes in relation to ‘The Rights of the Child‘ and anti-oppressive practice

Targeted Safeguarding

This training aims to develop knowledge, skills and the ability to work together on the processes for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

People training at this targeted level will have a greater degree of role accountability and responsibility for safeguarding children. This training may be delivered jointly by the West of Berkshire Training Sub Group. It includes courses that will be available at Reading, West Berkshire and Wokingham according to the overarching West of Berkshire Training Programme.  

The range of courses available is intended to increase skills to a large group of workers and is not an essential list for attendance at all courses. These are to be chosen by the member of staff and their line manager. Each member of staff will usually select between 2 and 4 different Targeted Training sessions. 

All staff are required to undertake refresher training at least every 3 years. For schools, refreshers are required every 2 years for the Designated Person.

Specialist Safeguarding Training 

This is relevant for practitioners with a particular responsibility for safeguarding children.

It is aimed at staff who must have a thorough understanding of working together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, including in complex or serious situations. Staff in this group will primarily include social workers. 

Some training at this specialist level is for those staff who supervise others, have responsibility for commissioning or delivering services and may include training on joint planning and commissioning, chairing multi-disciplinary meetings, negotiating joint protocols and mediating where there is conflict or difference. It also includes training around the implications of Serious Case Reviews. 

This training is for those agencies listed within section 11 of the Children Act 2004 and will be set up and delivered to small groups of staff on a one off or specially commissioned basis by specialist external trainers.  

In order to access courses in the Targeted and Specialist categories, all staff and volunteers will need to have attended the Universal Safeguarding training suitable for their role. 

All operational and front line managers who have not already undertaken training at Universal level, or who have not accessed refresher training in the last 3 years, should do this before applying for targeted or specialist training.

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