In collaboration with the Scottish Police College we are very pleased to offer a very limited number of specially-priced places on this full-day seminar which examines child abuse inquiries and constructive practice.

These places are available for academics, policy makers, and others non-police employees. PLEASE NOTE: Police staff should book through their SPOC (see below).

INTRODUCTION

Evidence suggests that for a number of reasons many professionals do not read child abuse inquiry reports. This seminar gives a rare opportunity to critically explore lessons emerging from a range of such reports, taking child abuse inquiries “off the shelf and into the minds” of participants.

CONTENT SUMMARY

The day will commence with an exploration of the contextual issues arising from a comparison of two significant child abuse inquiries. Time will be spent focusing on what can be learnt from inquiries with regard to culturally sensitive practice, and an appreciation of the need to understand the nature of communities in which events have taken place.

A range of innovative activities will promote an understanding of the skills required for constructive practice in child protection, with particular focus on communication skills and appreciating and challenging other perspectives.

A significant part of the day will be devoted to the continuing legacy of child abuse inquiries, exploring the impact on society, professionals, children and families. The final session will give participants the opportunity to reflect on the relevance of this learning for their current and future practice.

DESIGNED FOR

This course would be of most benefit to police officers and others working in Family Protection and Public Protection units. However it would also be of value to all officers who during the course of their work are in contact with families.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of the seminar delegates will be able to:

• Deconstruct the myth that child abuse tragedies are solely the result of failure to learn lessons from the past
• Explore changing societal perspectives that are reflected in a range of child abuse inquiries
• Consider how understanding the detail of child abuse inquiries can lead to more constructive practice
• Analyse the impact of child abuse inquiries on society, professionals and children/families
• Discuss the relevance of child abuse inquiries to their own professional practice

PRESENTERS

Marjorie Keys was previously a senior nurse for child protection with NHS Borders where she helped to establish a co-located child protection unit with police, social work and education colleagues. Marjorie is a member of the Scottish Child Protection Nurse Advisors Forum and delivers training on the child protection course currently run at the Scottish Police College.

Ruth Mitchell has been involved in child protection education provision for some twenty years within Higher Education settings. She now leads on a level Nine online child protection module that is a component of the BSc in Policing.

COST AND BOOKING

In collaboration with the Scottish Police College we are very pleased to offer a very limited number of places on this full-day seminar at a special rate of £75 (the normal rate for CPD events charged by the College is £150). This offer is available to all non-police officers, including academics, policy makers and planners. Please note that police officers should apply for places directly via their own Force or partner agency Single Point of Contact (SPOC).

This will be a full-day course. Times will be advised with joining instructions. Lunch and refreshments will be included. On arrival at the College, delegates should make their way to the reception area of the Culzean Building.

For further details, please contact the Research and Knowledge Transfer Manager, Tim Heilbronn (t.d.heilbronn@dundee.ac.uk)

Scottish Police College