Training Programme Should Help Protect Aberdeenshire Children

Health workers and police have joined forces with a north-east local authority to launch a new training programme to help protect children from abuse.

Aberdeenshire Council unveiled the new resource yesterday at its headquarters in Woodhill House, Aberdeen.

The computer-based training programme uses quizzes, flow charts and case studies to help staff recognise the signs and symptoms of child abuse. It has been developed by council staff along with Grampian Police, NHS Grampian and the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration.

Part of the training takes the form of a workbook which addresses different types of issues such as neglect and sexual, emotional and physical abuse. It leads users step-by-step through issues such as confidentiality, legal requirements and the roles of police, social work and health workers.

In addition it gives practical advice on what to do, and what not to do, when concerns are raised about the welfare of a child, and presents staff with hypothetical situations and quizzes to test their responses.

The council’s director of social work and housing Colin Mackenzie said he was confident it would provide a high standard of staff training.

He said: “Child protection is our number one priority and we must ensure that all our staff have the knowledge and skills to carry out this demanding work. The CD-Rom is an important part of our continuing programme of training.”

Elinor Smith, nurse director for NHS Grampian, said it was a welcome addition to existing training as it would allow staff to access materials at any time.

Grampian Police’s Detective Chief Superintendent Simon Blake shared their enthusiasm. “We are confident this will complement our existing menu of training while going some way to ensuring staff across all agencies are training together in a consistent and co-ordinated way,” he said.