Staff may not carry caseloads but still come into contact with children, families or carers. This could be over the telephone or face to face. All staff that come into contact with children, families or carers need to have an awareness of safeguarding. This involves being able to recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse and know how to manage and record a disclosure of abuse.

This can feel overwhelming to staff who have not had training in this vital subject area.

Staff that are trained increases confidence, which ensures that procedures are understood and followed, and that safeguarding is always at the forefront of the organisation.

This course covers the national safeguarding training, learning and development standards - group A.

Memorable Principles:

• I know what the term safeguarding means
• I know what to look out for
• I know how to report

Group A practitioners are ALL staff who join a public or voluntary organisation in Wales. The training, learning and development standards are also suitable for those working in the private sector, volunteers and elected members of local authorities.

Module 1 - Signs and symptoms of abuse, harm and neglect - In this module you will look at the definitions of child abuse, child protection and safeguarding and a quick overview of legislation. You will cover the different forms that child abuse can take (physical, emotional, sexual and neglect) and the signs and symptoms associated with these types of abuse.

Module 2 - Factors situations and actions that can increase risk - Where additional risks may come from. How family circumstances (domestic abuse, drugs and alcohol, mental health, disability, social exclusion, low-income families, parent in prison, children in care) may increase the risk of abuse harm and neglect. Heightened risk factors. Assessing the risk outside the home (cyber-bullying, radicalisation, modern slavery, gang activity, child sexual exploitation).

Module 3 - How to report, respond and record concerns, disclosures or allegations - The difference between a concern and a disclosure. The importance of recording and reporting (Duty to report). Why children may be reluctant to talk and why adults need to react appropriately advice and tips. Reporting a safeguarding concern, reporting a disclosure of abuse, handling a disclosure, what to record, who to report it to, when to report it (timescales), after the disclosure. A child- centered approach to safeguarding.