Proactively Engaging Families who are uncertain (A Multi-Agency Approach) - Free training

Tuesday 30th April 2024

Wednesday 11th December 2024 

09.00 till 16.30

MS Teams

Course Outline:

Working with a diverse range of families and/or communities, can pose a series of difficulties and challenges for individuals working in the wide range of children’s social care, public, private and third sector settings.

Whilst it is important to be vigilant to the small number of families who may be trying to deflect the attention of professionals away from deliberate harm being caused to a child, it is far more likely that behaviour that appears evasive, aggressive or to constitute disguised compliance it is far more likely that what is being seen is a result of families being nervous, afraid or reluctant to engage with professionals for a wide range of complex reasons such as previous poor experiences, fear, shame, pride, cultural differences or lack of awareness as to what the role of professionals might be. These responses often increase when moving from early help through the stages of child in need, child protection or care proceedings as families fear the consequences of statutory interventions.

Professionals need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills required to support families that are struggling to engage with services, to enable and empower, and where appropriate, de-escalate difficult interactions whilst still remaining focused on safeguarding the child. This programme explores the reasons people struggle to engage, looking at their situation through their lens and how to employ a range of person-centred and strengths-based skills to enable effective relational interventions to take place. Delegates will be prompted to consider the rights of individuals not to engage if they have capacity and the balance this creates between the right of individuals to make unwise decisions and the duty to protect children. Finally, delegates will have the opportunity to practice the skills involved in having difficult conversations and de-escalating potentially challenging interactions in practice.

Learning Methods

This training is delivered using an online interactive classroom approach and all delegates will be expected to take part to ensure an effective adult learning experience. Using whiteboards and breakout rooms, a combination of learning methods will be used throughout the day, including trainer presentation and group work in the form of case studies and reflection dilemmas to support application to practice. Local templates and expectations will be embedded in the programme where required and appropriate.

Learning Outcomes

This course will provide participants with the following learning outcomes:

• The opportunity to explore and understand why individuals and families may find it difficult to engage with professionals and some of the tools for over-coming this barrier.
• The skills to have difficult and challenging conversations with families engaged with services.
• The knowledge and skills for de-escalating a high risk situation should it occur.

Delegate Requirements

All delegates will need access to a laptop/desktop for the whole session, a functioning microphone and camera, and a strong stable internet connection to allow effective participation. Delegates will need a quiet place to work, largely free of interruptions so they can unmute to contribute.

Delegates will need to be present for the entire session unless by arrangement, this is to maximise their own learning and not detract from the experience of others. Where courses include a request for skills practice (i.e., Court Skills or Motivational Interviewing) taking part in the practice element of the course is mandatory.

Where possible delegates should be using the Microsoft Teams Desktop App and have ensured it is fully updated. Laptops/Desktops should have an up-to-date Browser such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge other browsers are not fully supported.

The pre-course materials will be sent to you prior to the training and it is advised that these are downloaded prior to the course and they will need them accessible on the day.

Please note – for health and safety reasons it is not appropriate to access these courses from a mobile phone. Whilst tablets can be used; delegates will find a laptop/desktop is easier as functionality on tablets are still limited.

Programme Outline

The programme for the session can be found by clicking here

To book onto this training, please click here

By submitting the application, you agree to the terms and conditions of the below declaration:-

1. I confirm that I have read the attendance criteria and learning outcomes and believe that I will significantly benefit from this learning and that I meet the criteria.
2. I will take all necessary steps to ensure that the learning outcomes are reinforced in the workplace.
3. My Line Manager has agreed to me undertaking this training.
4. I agree to complete initial feedback at the end of this training session and will complete the follow up feedback six weeks later.  I am aware that failure to complete either of these feedbacks will result in notification to my manager and I will not receive my certificate of attendance, which may affect my compliance to meet any statutory requirements.
5. I understand that places will be allocated by Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Partnership.
6. I understand that my details may be securely and confidentially retained by Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Partnership for statistical and information purposes only.
7. For non-chargeable courses, I agree to reimburse Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Partnership for late cancellation or non-attendance, without 5 working days notice.

DATA PROTECTION

In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation 2018, the information provided on this form will be held for the purposes of training and development.  This information will be stored securely in electronic format and any original hard copies disposed of as confidential waste.  The information will be processed by members of the LSCP Business Team and will be kept in accordance with retention policies.  It may be shared with other LSCP members for the purposes of audit and scrutiny.