What would you do if you regularly saw a young child arriving covered in bruises or dirty and smelly? You might think its none of your business or you may not be sure what to do. Signs of abuse are rarely obvious, but there may be signs which make you concerned. This workshop will highlight indicators that a child may need help and what you can do to make a difference.

This is for YOU if ...

• you work with children
• take part in any activities involving children
• organise playgroups, after school clubs etc
• run a crèche or Sunday School
• are responsible for setting a child protection policy for your group.

Content ...

• welcome and introductions
• why you need a child protection policy
• forms of abuse
• what should you do if you suspect abuse is happening
• abuse and children with additional needs
• public liability insurance, your responsibilities
• what should a good child protection policy contain
• model policies and agreements.

By the end of this workshop you will ...

• be aware of the forms of abuse
• know what your actions should be if you suspect abuse is happening
• understand what may happen if you don’t have a child protection policy
• know what your child protection policy should contain.

Recommendation

"This is just to say that I found the course today absolutely excellent and really valuable and relevant. I think it should be made available to as many people as possible who deal with children, so that awareness becomes a matter of course and the safety net is widened.  

I certainly will have my senses sharpened as a result of today, and I will go back to the people I work with at Mencap’s Opportunity Playgroup and the Holiday Club and tell them as much as I remember and encourage them to do a Child Protection Course themselves.

So thank you very much for an informative and important day. With best wishes." Gaye Beattie.

Trainer

This one day workshop will be led by Valerie Murray who is the training officer for Voluntary and Community Action. Valerie worked closely with Social Services for 12 years caring for children who had been abused and providing emergency care for children removed from home awaiting foster placements. The day will be informal and informative.

Venue

The workshop will be held at Bossard House, West Street, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1DA. This venue is fully accessible. Parking is available in a pay and display car park nearby.

Access and Individual Requirements

If you have any specific individual requirements to enable you to attend this event please let us know. Every effort is made to meet individual requirements, which might include; a loop system, sign language interpreter, wheelchair access, handouts in large print or special dietary requirements.

Refreshments will be provided.