The training courses offered will reflect the requirements for different workforce groups based on the National Framework for Child Protection Learning and Development in Scotland 2012.
Each group will require different competencies, knowledge and skills, based on the nature and extent of their contact (direct or indirect) with children, young people or adults at risk.
The multi-agency workforce includes paid and unpaid workers in a variety of roles. It includes people who have contact with children, young people or adults at risk directly and indirectly; and those who have contact with those groups including addictions services, health services, domestic abuse services, criminal justice services, housing services etc.
The information provided on each course describes which training course is suitable for each workforce group.
The workforce groups are as follows:
General Contact Workforce
Defined as those who, as part of their job are likely to come into contact with children, young people or adults who may be at risk. The frequency of the contact will vary, but these workers will not usually be involved in any in-depth personal work with them. However, these workers need to have the confidence and awareness to recognise when a child/young person or adult may be in need of protection, and how to respond.
Specific Contact Workforce
Defined as those who carry out direct work with children, young people or adults at risk; and/or form more in-depth relationships with them; and/or provide specific services to them.
These workers may carry out regular work with a child, young person or adult at risk (although this will not always be the case).
Contact may take place in the home or another setting (for example an office, school, community facility) It may involve one to one work, or work in a group.
These workers may be asked to contribute to the risk assessment and risk management process and may be involved in providing ongoing support to some children, young people, adults at risk and other family members.
These workers require the competences, knowledge and skills associated with the general contact workforce, and some additional competences, knowledge skills to reflect the nature of their involvement with children, young people and adults at risk.
Intensive Contact Workforce
Defined as those who have specific designated responsibility for child or adult protection issues as part of their role (for example where this is linked to their post, or where they are the named person, lead professional, council officer); and/or those who will be involved in undertaking child or adult protection investigations or working with complex cases (for example providing particular forms of support relating directly to child or adult protection).
These workers require the competences, knowledge and skills associated with the general and specific contact workforces, but need additional competences, knowledge and skills to carry out their tasks.