We recognise the most important influence in a child’s life is family. Children who grow up with safe, stable and nurturing relationships form stronger friendships, develop greater resilience, achieve more in school and are more likely to build positive relationships throughout their lives.
We are child focussed in our intent but recognise that the most effective way to help and protect children is to work alongside the whole family. Therefore strengthening families is central to our aims as we know that families have greater capacity for change when we work with them as partners. This is part of an evidence based approach known as Restorative Practice.
We aim to embed a culture across our workforce where dignity and respect is the basis for our interventions. Every member of staff will understand the principles of Restorative Practice and its ethos will underpin all of our work and align to the borough vision of ‘Forging a Future for all’.
Online 'self-serve' Training
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Leading and Managing People-Centred Change
Provided by Virtual College
for
Managers
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This course takes place over 3 weeks and will focus on three periods each week; Preparing for Change, During Change and Sustaining Change. This course will provide a description of the role of leadership in organisational change and explain the ways to gain commitment from people during periods of change. This will enable those completing the training to identify the ways to sustain change through people and provides an approach to utilise that will enable change to be sustained.
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An Introduction to Adverse Childhood Experiences Online Learning
Provided by Home Office Early Intervention Fund
for
Staff working directly with Children and Families.
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The course provides an introduction to Adverse Childhood Experiences. The course will develop understanding of what Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACEs are, the brain science behind ACEs and attachment, the impact that childhood trauma and adversity can potentially have later in life, what appropriate responses to ACEs may be such as strengthening protective factors and resilience, and a brief introduction to the idea of trauma-informed practice. The course is designed to help practitioners understand how a using an ACEs or trauma lens can give context to the behaviours of vulnerable or potentially traumatised individuals and families.
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Forced Marriage (HM Government)
Provided by Home Office and Virtual College
for
Staff working directly with Children and Families
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This course provides an explanation of what Forced Marriage is, what the ‘Warning Signs’ are, and what the consequences of Forced Marriages are for children and young people. This course gives information about Forced Marriage and the relevant UK Legislation that applies to this, as well as providing advice and guidance for practitioners working with children and young people that may be at risk of Forced Marriage. This courses encourages you to reflect on your confidence as a practitioner in assessing and supporting those who are or have been forced to marry.
Understanding Female Genital Mutilation
Provided y Home Office and Virtual College
for
Staff working directly with Children and Families
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This course provides an understanding of what FGM is, distinguishing the 4 types. It helps practitioners identify the health risks and consequences of FGM and the legal position in the UK against FGM. Undertaking this course will help practitioners to understand how and when FGM is carried out, who is at risk of FGM and the indicators and justifications for FGM. This online course will enable practitioners to understand their roles in preventing FGM and supporting the victims.
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Positive Parenting after Separation
Provided by Future Learn
for
Staff working directly with Children and Families
This course will cover parental relationships, ‘Healthy Parenting’ before and after a relationship separation and common issues in post-relationship parenting. This course gives practitioners advice for identifying how attachments between a child and their parent are formed and maintained, developmental needs of children, ‘Parental Modelling’ and family conflict. Practitioners will also learn practical techniques for parenting after separation and understand how to meet the needs of children affected by difficult separations and divorce.
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Keep Them Safe: Protecting Children from CSE
Provided by PACE
for
Staff working directly with Children and Families
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This course provides practitioners with an understanding of Child Sexual Exploitation and how it affects children. This course gives practical information on recognising the signs of CSE, the vulnerability factors of children and how to reduce the risk of CSE. This information can be shares with the parents and carers of children on how best to keep them safe from the risk of CSE
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Sign Language
Provided by School of Sign Language
for
All Staff
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This course offers various free learning resources to support professionals with the use of sign language, including a series of short videos and guidance leaflets. It is a interactive online learning programme.
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First Responder Training
for
First Responders
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The Home Office has developed a new training module for First Responders. As a First Responder you are from an organisation authorised to refer potential victims of modern slavery into the National Referral Mechanism (NRM). Your role is to identify and refer potential victims of modern slavery into support, where appropriate. Doing so will often be challenging and you may have to deal with complex situations.
This programme provides guidance on how to spot the signs of modern slavery, and what to do when you come across a potential victim of modern slavery. This programme aims to give you confidence to follow procedures swiftly and with compassion.
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