Training stages
There are 8 training stages based on the pan-London competency matters guidance.
Stage 1
Required for staff group 1
Training to be received within one week of commencement of employment.
- Definitions of abuse
- Child development
- Awareness of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect
- Awareness of the organisation’s basic safeguarding children procedures
- Awareness of who within the organisation should be contacted regarding any concern about a child’s safety or welfare
- 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
- Awareness of the expected standards of behaviour by staff towards children
Course delivery
- One to one supervision and induction, or group induction
Stage 2
Required for staff groups 1 and 2
Training to be provided within six months of commencement of employment.
- Documentation and sharing of information regarding concerns
- Using the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families: Own safeguarding roles and responsibilities
Course delivery
- In-house group training (multi-agency if available)
Stage 3
Required for staff groups 1, 2 and 3
Training to be provided within twelve months of commencement of employment.
- Working together to identify, assess and meet the needs of children where there are safeguarding concerns
- The impact of parenting issues, such as domestic abuse, substance misuse on parenting capacity
- Recognising the importance of family history and functioning
- Working with children and family members, including addressing lack of co-operation and superficial compliance within the context of role
Course delivery
- Delivery: Multi-agency training delivered by, or on behalf of, the Local Safeguarding Children Board
- In addition, single-agency training and professional development related to a specific role
Stage 4
Required for staff groups,1, 2, 3 and 4
Training to be provided within twelve months of commencement of employment.
- Section 47 enquiries, roles, responsibilities, and collaborative practice.
- Using professional judgements to make decisions as to whether a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm
- Working with complexity
- Conducting Section 47 enquiries
- Taking emergency action
- Communicating with children in line with interviewing vulnerable witness guidance
Course delivery
- Modules 1, 2 and 3: multi-agency training delivered by, or on behalf of, the Local Safeguarding Children Board
- Module 4: additional single agency training (Social Care only)
- Module 5: single/joint agency training (Social Care and Police only)
- Module 6: joint agency training (Social Care and Police)
Stage 5
Required for staff groups 1, 2, 3 and 5 (and group 4 if advising staff from group 4)
Training to be provided within twelve months of commencement of employment.
- Promoting effective, professional practice
- Advising others
- Supervising child protection cases
Course delivery
- Multi-agency training delivered by, or on behalf of, the Local Safeguarding Children Board
- In addition, single-agency training and professional development related to a specific role
Stage 6
Required for staff groups 1, 2, 3 and 6 (and group 4 if advising staff from group 4)
Training to be provided within twelve months of commencement of employment.
- Supervising child protection cases and Managing performance to promote effective inter-agency practice
- Specialist training to undertake key management and/or supervisory roles in for example, intake/duty teams
Course delivery
- Module 1: single-agency training and professional development related to a specific role. In addition, single-agency training and professional development related to specific role
- Module 2: single-agency training and professional development related to a specific role
Stage 7
Required for staff groups,1, 2, 3 and 7
Training to be provided within twelve months of commencement of employment.
- Section 11 expectations, roles and responsibilities
Course delivery
- Multi-agency training delivered by, or on behalf of, the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB)
- In-house and LSCB induction programme. National and local leadership programmes
Stage 8
Required for staff groups,1, 2, 3 and 8
Training to be provided within twelve months of commencement of employment.
- Expectations on members to promote effective co-operation that improves effectiveness
Course delivery
Multi-agency training delivered by, or on behalf of, the Local Safeguarding Children Board.
- LSCB induction programme
- LSCB development days