Outcomes of interagency training to safeguard children : final report to the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Department of Health.

Abstract

The study sought to develop an evidence base for interagency training to safeguard children. It was carried out in partnership with the training coordinators in eight LSCBs in four parts of England and with the support of an advisory group. Specific measures were developed to assess the outcomes of both generic and specialist courses on such topics as “Introduction to safeguarding” and “Safeguarding disabled children”. These measures generally performed reliably and were sensitive to change. In addition to assessing outcomes, the project sought to describe the context and mechanisms through which interagency training is planned and delivered and also to estimate the costs. Interagency training is not an end in itself but should be seen as a necessary and vital component of the safeguarding children process.