Child Protection

ONLINE CHILD PROTECTION COURSE

This online Child Protection course is important because all children in Scotland have the right to be protected from abuse and neglect. So, it is vital that people who work with and for children and young people understand their child protection responsibilities, including how to recognise and respond to concerns.

Child protection refers to the activities undertaken to prevent children suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm, and encompasses both preventing harm and responding appropriately in the event a child or young person has experienced harm.

When it comes to child protection, abuse or neglect need not have taken place; it is sufficient for a risk assessment to have identified a likelihood or risk of significant harm from abuse or neglect. Child protection is part of the much broader concept of safeguarding, which refers to promoting the welfare of children, young people and protected adults across all aspects of their lives.

COURSE OBJECTIVE

This online Child Protection training course is for anyone working with children and young people in Scotland. The course is designed to support you in protecting the children and young people under you care.  It provides the knowledge needed to help recognise and respond appropriately to a child protection concern.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

During this online Child Protection course, you will learn how to:

• Recognise different types abuse and neglect
• Respond appropriately to child protection concerns
• Report child protection concerns

Please note: This course includes descriptions of child abuse and neglect which some people may find upsetting.

COURSE CONTENT

UNIT 1 | INTRODUCTION

In this first unit we explore key terminology, discuss legislation and national guidance, and explain the 4Rs of safeguarding.

UNIT 2 | RECOGNISING

In unit 2 we look at how to recognise the four main categories of abuse: physical, emotional and sexual abuse, and neglect. Recognising abuse, or the potential for abuse, is the first step in protecting a child or young person.

UNIT 3 | RESPONDING

It is important that you know how to respond appropriately should a child or young people make a disclosure of abuse. This third unit will support you with this, as well as exploring some of the reasons why a child may notfeel able to tell anyone about the abuse they are experiencing.

UNIT 4 | REPORTING

Any child protection concern should be reported in order that the child gets the support they need as quickly as possible. In this final unit we explore when and what to report, as well as who to report to. We also look at the importance of recording what has been said or done.

CERTIFICATE

At the end of the online Child Protection course there is a 15 question, multiple-choice quiz.  If the learners demonstrate their understanding of the course content by achieving a minimum score of 80%, we’ll email them their completion certificate.  If learners score less than 80%, they can revisit any part of the course and retake the quiz until they are successful.  A posted certificate is available for £9.

The Child Protection certificate is valid for 3 years.

IDEAL FOR

While each of the home nations have their own legislation, the principles of child protection are the same for everyone. This online Child Protection training course therefore is suitable for anyone working with children and young people in the UK.  This includes, but is not limited to:

• teachers and school support staff
• early year workers and child minders
• sport coaches
• volunteers and club leaders

This course is designed to raise child protection knowledge and understanding generally across all employees/volunteers. It is not suitable training for your organisation’s designated child protection officer.  Your organisation will also have its own safeguarding and child protection policy.  This can be incorporated into the course upon request.

INCLUDES

• Learn anywhere with an internet connection
• Complies with regulations
• CPD-accredited certificate
• Access on phones, tablets and desktop
• Carbon net-zero product

CHILD PROTECTION LEGISLATION

Safeguarding and child protection systems are different in each of the home nations because various legislative powers are devolved.  However, the underlying principles remain the same.  Temporary carers must always act appropriately and in the child’s best interest.

The Scottish Government is responsible for child protection in Scotland. It sets out policy, legislation and statutory guidance on how the child protection system should work.

The national approach to improving outcomes for children and young people in Scotland is Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) (Scottish Government, 2015). This provides a framework for those working with children and their families to provide the right support at the right time.

The key guidance for anyone working with children is the National guidance for child protection in Scotland 2021 (Scottish Government, 2021). This guidance describes the responsibilities and expectations for all involved in protecting children and will support the care and protection of children.

If you work with children outside of Scotland the online Safeguarding course is more appropriate.