When arranging training, you should check that the aims and objectives of a course meet the learning needs of your team. Guidance on the recommended key outcomes of training for staff with varying levels of involvement with children is shown in the table below.
It has been suggested that dentists who have done child protection training point to the following factors as being most valuable:37
- the opportunity to discuss case scenarios of relevance to dentistry
- hearing other viewpoints and interacting with participants from other agencies
- meeting local professionals (in healthcare and social services) whom they might contact in the future for advice or to refer.
Key outcomes of child protection training.1(reproduced with permission of the Department of Health)
Training level |
Appropriate for: |
Key outcomes: |
Level 1. Introduction |
Those in contact with children or parents
Whom in the dental team? |
Contribute and take whatever actions needed to safeguard children
Recognise and respond to concerns about a child in need
Appreciate own role and that of others
Communicate and act appropriately within national and local guidance to safeguard children
Familiar with local arrangements, services and sources of advice for supporting families and safeguarding children |
Level 2. Foundation |
Those who work directly with children, or adults who are parents
Whom in the dental team? |
Accomplish core tasks together to safeguard and promote children’s welfare e.g. assessments, planning, core groups, conferences, and decision making
Sound understanding of principles and processes for effective collaboration
Communicate and develop working relationships in the interest of children
Understand contribution made by others to safeguarding children and impact of own decisions and actions on others |
Level 3. Post-foundation |
Those involved in assessment and intervention to safeguard children
Whom in the dental team? |
Co-work on complex tasks or particular areas of practice that have specific knowledge or skill requirements, e.g. joint enquiries and investigations, investigative interviews, complex assessment.
Establish and maintain partnerships of mutual trust and respect
Understand legal and organisational frameworks, including levels of accountability of decision making, in other agencies |
Level 1: all members of the dental team who have contact with children in the course of their work AND team members who do not have contact with children but have contact with adults who are parents (because they might hear something that gives concern about the welfare of a child)
Level 2:dentists and other team members who have greater involvement with children and for whom child protection is a regular feature of their work (e.g. the child protection lead person within a practice or a dentist with a special interest in children’s dentistry)
Level 3: will usually be reserved for interested dental specialists in the field.
|
