A Review of Children First and Keeping Safe Training in Ireland: Implications for the Future

ABSTRACT

The aim of this paper is to report on the evaluation of two standardised training programmes provided by the statutory children and family service in the Republic of Ireland in 2012. This involved an evaluation of Children First Basic Level Training, which was delivered to all staff employed in the statutory services, and Keeping Safe, Basic Level Training, which was delivered externally to those working with children and families in voluntary and community services. The objectives of this review were: to determine the perceived need of all participants on both training programmes; to establish the relevance of the training programmes vis-à-vis the participants work practice; to evaluate whether both training programmes have met their stated aims; and to establish the necessary components of a training programme to inform future development. This retrospective review was conducted using mixed methods. The findings show that, in the main, the needs of the respondents were met by the training. Most respondents agreed that the training met its aims and was relevant. Valuable suggestions were made regarding development for the future. However, due to an unexpectedly low response rate to the research, the low sample size has meant that we cannot deduce that the mostly positive results are representative of participants in the training programmes as a whole. However, while not a reliable representation of the whole trainee population, the findings are nonetheless illustrative and instructive as a guide within this complex and important field for the development of future training. It is concluded that given the ongoing challenge of protecting children from abuse and neglect, the findings will inform a renewed commitment to ongoing development of generic training as well as the development of more advanced methods of evaluation, and increased engagement of training participants in the research process.

KEYWORDS:

• Training
• Inter-agency
• Child protection and welfare
• Education
• Practice

Notes

[1] The modules covered in the training include the following:

• principles of best practice in child protection and welfare;

• relevant legislation and policies;

• roles and responsibilities in relation to child protection and welfare;

• the categories and definitions of child abuse;

• the signs and symptoms of child abuse;

• how to recognise child abuse;

• the risk factors in child protection;

• how to respond to concerns about children;

• how to report concerns about children and your role afterwards;

• issues involved in confidentiality and exchanging information;

• the benefits of agencies and disciplines working together; and

• how to work effectively together.

[2] Modules covered in this training programme include the following:

• child protection and welfare legislation and policies;

• responding to child abuse concerns, reporting procedures and supports available in relation to child protection and welfare;

• understanding the categories, definitions of, and signs and symptoms of child abuse;

• how to recognise abuse and the risk factors in child protection; risk assessment;

• the safe management of activities;

• codes of behaviour and anti-bullying codes; and

• Interagency and interdisciplinary working.

[3] One respondent did not indicate the duration they had being in their current role.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.