Multi Agency Safeguarding Training Strategy 2011-12 1. INTRODUCTION All organisations working with children and/or parents/carers have a responsibility under the Children Act 2004 to ensure that their workforce and volunteers are appropriately trained to recognise and respond to concerns where children may need support and/or protection. It is important that all practitioners working to safeguard children and young people are confident and competent in carrying out their responsibilities, and they fully understand their responsibilities and duties as set out in the legislation and associated regulations and guidance. Protecting children from harm and promoting their welfare depends on a shared responsibility and effective joint working between different agencies. The agencies which make up Islington Safeguarding Children Board are committed to ensuring that the messages regarding safeguarding are understood at all levels, across all services and that consistency of practice is achieved. 2. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF EMPLOYERS 2.1 Every agency/organisation must have processes in place that enable them to identify who needs training, to what level, and to evaluate the impact that the training has on practice. 2.2 Every agency/organisation must ensure that all relevant staff and volunteers receive a mandatory induction, which includes familiarisation with their child protection responsibilities, and the policies and procedures to be followed if they have concerns about a child s welfare. Regular refresher training should be provided at least every three years. Some services might decide to provide this training every two years. 2.3 Employers should ensure that all relevant employees and volunteers receive timely, appropriate training whether provided in-house, by Islington Safeguarding Children Board or by other training providers. 2.4 Agencies/organisations must release staff to attend the appropriate multiagency training courses, ensure time for them to complete multi-agency training tasks and apply their learning in practice. 1
2.5 Every agency/organisation must receive relevant single-agency training/support that enables them to maximise the learning derived from multi-agency training. 3. OUR VALUES All training in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children should: Be child-centred Promote the participation of children and families in the process Value working collaboratively Promote equality and respect diversity Be inclusive of the wide range of individuals and organisations that have a responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the well being of Islington s children 4. AIM OF THE STRATEGY The aim of this strategy is to provide a framework for Islington s safeguarding training programme. It provides guidance for employers on the training and development of staff and volunteers necessary for them to effectively safeguard and promote the welfare of children. This includes being able to recognise when a child may require protection, and knowing what to do in response to concerns about the safety and welfare of a child. Practitioners and managers must be able to work effectively with others, both within their own agency and across organisational boundaries. This can be achieved by a combination of single-agency and multi-agency training. 5. PURPOSE OF SAFEGUARDING TRAINING The purpose of training for multi-agency work is to achieve better outcomes for children and young people through: A shared understanding of roles and responsibilities for safeguarding children and promoting their welfare Effective multi-agency and integrated working Improved communication and information sharing between professionals, including a shared understanding of definitions, terms and thresholds Effective working relationships, including an ability to work in multidisciplinary groups or teams Sound child-focused assessments and decision-making 6. SINGLE AGENCY TRAINING This training is delivered by a particular agency for its own staff or volunteers. Agencies are responsible for ensuring that their staff are competent and confident in carrying out their responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting children and young people s welfare. 2
The number and depth of single agency training courses on safeguarding will depend on the level of that agency s contact with children and the extent of its role within the safeguarding process. The safeguarding training framework set out below will give guidance to assist in the identification of training needs. 7. MULTI-AGENCY TRAINING Multi-agency training should complement single agency training to promote a common, shared understanding of respective roles and responsibilities and the need to work closely with other professionals. The safeguarding training framework will assist the implementation of coherent and integrated training pathways. Working Together to Safeguard Children 2010 stresses the need for a skilled and knowledgeable workforce, and recognises the importance of both single and multi-agency training to achieve this. 8. TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SUB-GROUP The main function of the ISCB Training and Professional Development Subgroup is to: 1. Identify the multi-agency training and development needs of staff and volunteers. This includes needs arising from changes in legislation, formal guidance, evidence from research and best practice. 2. Develop and implement an annual training and development plan. 3. Ensure that the content of the training is based on the latest research and clinical evidence about what works when working with children and families, including early prevention, those in need and those in need of protection. 4. Ensure training methods used are appropriate to the training outcomes to be achieved, and are based on evidence of what works in respect of skill / knowledge development, raising awareness, self-efficacy, professional confidence and single and multi-agency training. 5. Monitor and evaluate the quality of training. 6. Ensure relevant training is provided by individual organisations. 7. Ensure that training is reaching the relevant staff and volunteers within organisations. 8. Ensure lessons from Serious Case Reviews are disseminated. 9. Monitor attendance/absence and participation. 3
10.Ensure the delivery of training programmes is within the context of diversity and equal opportunities. 9. STAFF GROUPS Below are tables which identify which staff/volunteers belong to which occupational groups. STAFF GROUPS GROUP 1 GROUP 2 Group 1 are staff and volunteers with limited contact with children, young people and/or parents/carers. Group 1 has a responsibility to contribute to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in the community, but does not necessarily have specific safeguarding organisational responsibilities. Examples of who should be included: Back-office staff (e.g. may use databases and systems but no direct contact with children and families) Benefits workers Community Advice Centre Staff Environmental Health Officers GP Receptionists Estates Officers Housing Officers Hospital Support Staff (with no direct contact with children and families) Librarians Recreation Assistants School cleaners School/centre catering staff School reception School Technical Staff Street Wardens Uniformed and non-specialist police officers Group 2 are staff and volunteers who work regularly with children and young people and with adults who are parents/carers Group 2 has considerable professional and organisational responsibility for safeguarding and promoting children s and young people s welfare Group 2 need the skills and knowledge to respond appropriately to Group 1 staff/volunteers, that may approach them with concerns about a child s welfare. Examples of who should be included: Audiologists Childminders Children s Centre Staff Children s Community Nurses Counsellors Dentists Designated Housing Officers and Housing Officer Managers Disability Specialists District Nurses Educational Psychologists Educational Support Staff Hospital Nurses (A&E, paediatric nurses) Learning Mentors Lunchtime Supervisors 4
Nurse Practitioners Parenting Support Workers Playgroup Workers Play Provider workers Practice Nurses Probation Officers Pupil Support and Welfare Pupil chaperones Refuge Staff Residential Workers Sexual Health staff Speech and Language Therapists Sports development officers Sports club welfare officers Substance Misuse staff Teachers Teaching assistants GROUP 3 GROUP 4 Group 3 are staff who work predominantly with children, young people and/or their parents/carers. They have particular responsibilities for safeguarding and child protection. Group 4 are professional advisors, named and designated officers. They have a substantial degree of personal responsibility and autonomy to act on children and young people s welfare concerns. GROUP 5 Group 5 are operational managers of Groups 1 4. Examples of who should be included: CAIT (Child Abuse Investigation Examples of who should be included: Team) Police Officers Operational managers at all levels CAMHS including: Community psychiatric nurses Practice supervisors Designated child protection officers Front line managers (in any setting) Educational Welfare Officers Family Support Workers Family Centre staff Foster Carers GROUP 6 5
GP s Health Visitors HR Business Partners Home Start Hospital Ward staff designated by service Mental Health Social Workers Midwives Neonatal Nurses Paediatricians Paediatric therapists Physiotherapists Residential workers (children s) School Nurses Sexual Health Advisors Social Workers Solicitors Speech and Language Therapists Sports Club Welfare Officers Supervisors and managers of the above front line staff Youth workers Group 6 are members of the ISCB including: Independent Chairs Board Members Members of Sub-groups Group 6 also includes senior managers responsible for the strategic management of services. 6
10. TRAINING PATHWAYS The following chart provides an overview of the training pathways for all staff groups and where appropriate volunteer workers. Groups Group 1 should undergo training at each level ticked Level of Training Required Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 Group 2 should undergo training at each level ticked Group 3 should undergo training at each level ticked Group 4 should undergo training at each level ticked Group 5 should undergo training at each level ticked Group 6 should undergo training at each level ticked 11. MULTI-AGENCY SAFEGUARDING TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK 7
The following table provides more detail in respect of the training requirement for each group. Level of Training Required By When What - Key Outcomes How - Delivery Methods Group 1 Level 1 Outcomes Level 1 training is required: Within at least one month of commencement of employment Refresher training every 2 to 3 years A shared understanding of roles and responsibilities for safeguarding children and promoting their welfare within their own agency and as part of a wider Islington partnership Awareness of the definitions of significant harm, abuse and neglect Recognising signs of abuse and neglect Awareness of who within the organisation should be contacted regarding any concern about a child s safety or welfare (including who to contact if that person is unavailable) Knowing how and when to share information appropriately about children, young people and families Awareness of the expected standards of behaviour by staff towards children Awareness of who within the organisation should be contacted regarding any concern about a colleague s behaviour towards a child or potential risk that they may present Familiarity with local safeguarding children procedures This is basic child protection training and delivery is the responsibility of each individual agency. It could be delivered in any of the following ways: Individual/Service Induction E-Learning: Introduction to Child Protection And should be re-enforced in team discussion and 1 1 Supervision The employee must have received a written copy of the definitions of significant harm, abuse and neglect, the organisation s safeguarding children procedures and Codes of Conduct, and has signed to confirm that they have read these within the same time-frame. 8
Level of Training Required By When What - Key Outcomes How - Delivery Methods Group 2 Level 2 Outcomes Level 2 training is required: Within 3 months of commencement of employment Refresher training at least every 2 to 3 years Competence and confidence in recognising abuse, sharing concerns and carrying out the duty to safeguard all Islington children and young people Knowledge of legislation and Guidance Local safeguarding children procedures Recognising the possible signs of abuse and neglect Recording guidance about observations and concerns, distinguishing between observation, fact and opinion. Thresholds (or levels of need) and knowing when to act Awareness of who within the organisation should be contacted regarding any concern about a child s safety or welfare (including who to contact if that person is unavailable Information about how to check other professionals involvement and actions in a given case Procedures for reporting concerns about a colleague s behaviour When and how to contribute to/use the Common Assessment Framework Awareness of information sharing protocols The impact of parenting issues, such as domestic abuse, substance misuse, on parenting capacity Factors that impact on the vulnerability of children, including disability Recognising the importance of family history and functioning Working with fathers Lessons learned from Serious Case Reviews Level of Training Required It is the responsibility of each agency to ensure Group 2 staff attend Level 2 training either in house or multi-agency delivered by ISCB. Single or multi-agency Integrated Working Training (Common Assessment Framework and related tools) does not replace L2 child protection training but is part of early intervention. Delivery methods include: Single agency training and development related to specific role ISCB Foundation in Child Protection And should be re-enforced in team discussion and 1 1 Supervision 9
By When What - Key Outcomes How - Delivery Methods Group 3 Level 3 Outcomes (relevant to role, some or all of the following) Level 3 training is required: Within 6 months of employment Refresher training at least every 2 or 3 years Single Agency: Using professional judgements to make decisions as to whether a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm Understand the assessment of risk and harm Puts into practice knowledge of how to improve child resilience and reduce risks of harm Ability to maintain a focus on the child Working with complexity Single-agency training and professional development Multi-agency training delivered by the ISCB 1-1 Supervision Multi-Agency: Latest changes in legislation/guidance Processes involved in S47 enquiries; roles, responsibilities and collaborative practice Able to take emergency action Able to present child protection concerns in a child protection conference Ability to maintain professional engagement with families where there are child protection concerns Ability to gather a full social history in partnership with parents, carers and colleagues Working with children and family members, including addressing lack of co-operation and superficial compliance within the context of role Ability to contribute to serious case reviews or equivalent process Managing disagreements or conflict with other organisations The importance of considering fathers in assessments 10
The importance of analysis of previous referrals and interventions, particularly those relating to child in need or child protection NB No worker should conduct any interview held under the Achieving Best Evidence guidelines unless they have successfully completed training approved by London Safeguarding Children Board Level of Training Required By When What - Key Outcomes How - Delivery Methods Group 4 Level 4 Outcomes Level 4 training is required: Within 3 months of taking up role Refresher training at least every 2 to 3 years The employee understands their role and responsibilities as professional advisor/named or designated lead in terms of: Offering guidance and advice to colleagues in respect of appropriate levels of intervention when a concern about a child arises Ensuring that appropriate action is taken whenever thresholds are crossed Providing advice/support to colleagues where there are unresolved disagreements, disputes or conflict with other agencies Ensuring that their agency responds appropriately to concerns and allegations regarding children within their families The employee understands the thresholds for intervention and the duty to refer to Children s Social Care Multi-agency training delivered by the ISCB Single-agency training and professional development related to specific role 1-1 Supervision Level of Training Required 11
By When What - Key Outcomes How - Delivery Methods Group 5 Level 5 Outcomes Level 5 training is required: Within 12 months of commencement of employment Refresher Training at least every 2 to 3 years Relevant to role, some or all of the following: The manager understands their role in supervising, supporting and monitoring the actions of staff working with child protection cases, particularly regarding: Supervising child protection cases Managing performance to promote effective interagency practice Discharging responsibilities under child protection plans Contributing to decisions regarding risk Challenging decisions where there is disagreement Co-work on complex tasks, e.g. joint enquiries and investigations Section 11 expectations, roles and responsibilities. The individual promotes their agency contribution to the multi-agency safeguarding processes Promote their agency contribution to the work of the ISCB Specialist training to undertake key management and/or supervisory roles Knowing legal and organisational frameworks, including levels of accountability of decision making in other agencies Multi-agency training delivered through the ISCB Single-agency training and professional development related to specific role Level of Training Required 12
By When What - Key Outcomes How - Delivery Methods Group 6 Level 6 Outcomes Level 6 training is required: Members understand their role and responsibilities as active members of ISCB Multi-agency training delivered through the ISCB Within 12 months of taking up role Level 6 refresher training at least every 2 to 3 years Members understand expectations and are able to promote multi-agency communication and collaboration in respect of safeguarding processes Members promote agency contributions to the work of the ISCB Single-agency induction, training and professional development related to specific role Members are abreast of current policy, research and practice developments Members know and are able to use lessons from Serious Case Reviews as part of their safeguarding responsibilities. 13