Child Protection Training levels

How do I know what training to attend?

Our training courses are designed to meet the needs of the different workforces, as described in the National Framework for Child Protection Learning & Development in Scotland 2012. The Framework identifies three ‘workforce groups’ who require different competences, knowledge and skills. Most people will find that their job role fits broadly into one of these three categories outlined below.

All workers who have contact with children and young people or other family members as part of their role should have the core competences and key knowledge and skills required by the general contact workforce. Those working within the specific and intensive contact workforce will require additional competences, knowledge and skills relating to their role.

The child protection core competencies, knowledge and skills have been identified as a guide, and should be underpinned by the values and principles of GIRFEC and be considered alongside other requirements and competence frameworks (e.g. the KSF and Intercollegiate Document for workers in the NHS).

All multi-agency child protection training in Argyll & Bute aligns with these groupings to help you know which courses are appropriate for you to attend. 

The General Contact Workforce

The general contact workforce describes those who, as part of their job are likely to come into contact with children, young people and other family members.  The frequency of the contact will vary, but these workers will not usually be involved in any in-depth personal work with them, or have an in-depth knowledge of their circumstances.  Workers in the General Contact Workforce need to have the confidence and awareness to recognise when a child or young person may be in need of protection, and know how to respond.

You can find out more about the core competencies for the general contact workforce on Page 17 of the National Framework for Child Protection Learning and Development in Scotland 2012

Or by using the National Learning & Development Framework toolkit . The toolkit is for workers and volunteers to help identify learning needs and how these can be met.  It can also be used by managers to help identify the learning needs of a particular staff group or job role.

The Specific Contact Workforce

The specific contact workforce describes those who carry out direct or regular work with children, young people and their parents/carers, and form more in-depth relationships with them. Contact may take place in the home or other setting (e.g. office, school, community facility etc). These workers may be asked to contribute to the risk assessment and risk management process and may be providing on going support. In addition to the skills of the General Contact Workforce these workers require additional competencies, knowledge and skills to reflect the nature of involvement with children & young people, including protecting and promoting their well-being and contributing to identifying and implementing potential interventions

 You can find out more about the core competencies for the specific contact workforce on Page 19 of the National Framework for Child Protection Learning and Development in Scotland 2012

The Intensive Contact Workforce

The Intensive contact workforce describes those who have specific designated responsibility for child protection issues as part of their role e.g.  Linked into their post, where they are the Named Person or Lead Professional, and/or those involved in undertaking child protection investigations or working with complex cases. This group will have fulfilled all relevant learning and developments of The General and The Specific Contact Workforce and also require a thorough understanding of managing / working together to protect and meet the needs of children and young people

You can find out more about the core competencies for the intensive contact workforce on Page 22 of the National Framework for Child Protection Learning and Development in Scotland 2012