Protecting children and young people from harm is a fundamental responsibility for everyone working within education. Those who take a lead role in child protection have additional responsibilities for ensuring that concerns are recognised, responded to appropriately and shared with the right agencies at the right time.
The course provides a practical understanding of the role of the DCPL within the Scottish child protection framework, including the principles of Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC), children’s rights, wellbeing, recognising and responding to concerns, information sharing and effective multi-agency working.
Throughout the course, learners will be encouraged to consider not simply “What does the guidance say?”, but also “What does this mean for me as a child protection lead?”
The overall aim of the course is to provide those with designated or lead responsibility for child protection with the knowledge, confidence and practical understanding required to lead effective child protection practice within their setting.
The course will support learners to understand their responsibilities, recognise potential indicators of abuse, neglect and exploitation, respond effectively to concerns and disclosures, make appropriate referrals and work confidently with partner agencies.
It will also consider the DCPL’s wider leadership role in developing a culture where children feel safe, staff feel confident to raise concerns and child protection remains everyone’s responsibility.
Module 1 – The Role of the DCPL and the Scottish Child Protection Framework
Understanding the Scottish child protection system, children’s rights, GIRFEC, wellbeing and the responsibilities of the Designated Child Protection Lead.
Module 2 – Recognising Abuse, Neglect and Child Protection Concerns
Developing the knowledge required to recognise different forms of abuse, neglect, exploitation and other circumstances that may place a child at risk.
Module 3 – Responding to Concerns, Disclosures and Referrals
Exploring what to do when a concern is raised, including responding to disclosures, recording concerns, information sharing, referrals, immediate protection and professional escalation.
Module 4 – Multi-Agency Child Protection Processes in Scotland
Understanding how education works alongside social work, Police Scotland, health and other agencies, including Inter-agency Referral Discussions (IRDs), Child Protection Planning Meetings (CPPMs), Child Protection Plans and the Children’s Hearings System.
Module 5 – Effective DCPL Practice, Leadership and Safer Organisations
Developing effective leadership of child protection, including safer organisational cultures, staff training, record keeping, allegations and concerns about adults, professional challenge, auditing and continuous improvement.
This five-module course has been designed for Designated Child Protection Leads (DCPLs), Child Protection Co-ordinators, deputy DCPLs, headteachers, senior leaders and other professionals with lead responsibility for child protection within Scottish schools, colleges, Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) services and other relevant education settings.
After completing each module there will be a quiz to assess your learning. You will move through the later modules upon successful completion of the quiz test. This process continues till the end of the course. You need to achieve and overall score of 70% correct answers to pass this online course.
After completing the course, you can instantly download your certificate for FREE.
.