What level of training should I attend?
Staff and volunteers have different child protection training needs depending on the amount of contact they have with children and families and their level of responsibility. To help individuals identify what training they should attend all interagency courses are set across levels 1 – 4.
All staff and managers who work with or have contact with children, young people and their parents/carers need to have the skills required at level 1 so they can recognise and respond to child protection issues. This will generally be achieved by attending child protection awareness raising training and reading and digesting your agencies child protection policy.
Further levels of training will be dependent on the role that is carried out by the individual. If you’re unsure what level of training you should be attending please refer to the Competence Framework for Child Protection.
How do I Know What Level of Training to Attend?
It is important that those registering for training identify the correct course, and the correct level of training which suits their needs. This should be discussed with line managers prior to application.
We have developed a child protection competency framework to assist staff and managers assess individual learning needs. This can be downloaded from the publications section of our website www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/abcpc All training flyers give details of the course aims, learning outcomes, the level at which the training is pitched.
How Do I apply?
Training places must be booked in advance, either via scott.macdonald2@argyll-bute.gov.uk or 01546 604167. Places can also be booked by logging onto the child protection committee website www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/abcpc. Applicants must provide their name, job title, workplace and full contact details when applying for training.
Is There a Closing Date for Applications?
The closing date for applications is 1 week prior to the course taking place. Any applications received after this date will only be considered if the course is not full to capacity and waiting lists applicants have been offered remaining spaces.
How Do I Know if I Have a Place on the Course?
Applicants will be advised by email whether they have a place or not approximately a week in advance of the course date. Included is a form to return confirming their attendance. In some cases waiting lists are held so it is important that people confirm they are taking the place once allocated.
The return form also asks participants what they hope to learn from the course. Pre-course information is really helpful in enabling facilitators to check out that expectations can be met and that the course programme is tailored correctly for participants.
Is There a Cost?
Our interagency programme is free. Those unable to attend must advise us in advance, as a £30 administration fee applies to all those fail to attend without notice .
Is Lunch Provided?
At present a light lunch is provided at full day training courses. You will be given notification if this is not the case. Please check with the Training Office in advance if you have any dietary requirements and we will do our best to accommodate you.
What if I Can’t Attend
You must advise us in advance either via scott.macdonald2@argyll-bute.gov.uk or 01546 604167, as a £30 administration fee applies to all those who fail to attend without notice. We acknowledge that some people work in positions where you may be called away at very short notice therefore cancellations are accepted right up to the course starting.
How Long are the Courses?
Course duration is included in the training calendar. Start and finish times vary depending on the length of course, location of training, and the distances people have to travel. Start and finish times will be provided on course flyers and sent out when training places are confirmed.
How are courses evaluated?
The Child Protection Training Sub Committee have established systems for monitoring training and seeking participant feedback on the impact of the training on their practice and the extent to which it has helped improve partnership working.
At the end of the course you will be asked to fill in an evaluation form which helps to assess how training can be improved and modified and if training is meeting the stated objectives.
3 months after you have attended training you will receive a short questionnaires asking if the training has helped build your confidence and competence in your child protection practices. When you get this please take 5 minutes to fill this in as it really helps us to assess the strengths, weaknesses and impact of our training programmes.
How will I know about additional events?
Occasionally the Child Protection Committee will add additional events in the programme year. Information about these will be sent out via our circulation lists and will be advertised on our training calendar www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/abcpc