Training for groups of staff in their agency or service

Child and Family Training (C&FT) has been delivering training across the UK and abroad for several years on a range of evidence-based assessment tools for use by professionals working with children and families. Most of the work of C&FT is focused on delivering training to groups of staff in their agency or service. Most courses include training on the use of a model of assessment, analysis, planning interventions and identifying and measuring outcomes linked to the Assessment Framework triangle. The assessment tools and the model of analysis and planning are integrated into the 2010 Working Together (HM Government).

The evidence-based assessment tools
Members of C&FT with others were commissioned by the Department of Health to develop of a range of evidence-based assessment tools with associated training programmes, to support the implementation of the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families (Assessment Framework).

More recently members of the C&FT Team have published a book looking at evidence-based assessment, analysis and planning in the safeguarding context: Safeguarding children living with trauma and family violence: evidence-based assessment, analysis and planning interventions (2009) Arnon Bentovim, Antony Cox, Liza Bingley Miller and Stephen Pizzey. London:JKP. This forms the basis of a new training course on Safeguarding Assessments.

These assessment tools are compliant with the Public Law Outline and are recommended in a wide range of government guidance and procedures, including:

• Working Together (2010)
• Integrated Children’s System
• Every Child Matters
• Initial and core assessments
• Looked After Children’s Records
• Safeguarding Children materials
• Practice Guidance on Preparing and Assessing Adopters & Assessing the Support Needs of Adoptive Families

The Training Programme
For further information about the training programme, please click here.

Costs for training groups of staff in their agency
For further information about the Training Programme and costings for training groups of staff in their agencies, please contact Liza Bingley Miller, National Training Coordinator - contact details below.

Please note that the fees for Agency-Based Training are significantly lower than those quoted for the Open Courses Training Programme in view of the fact that agencies are asked to arrange and pay for the training venue, equipment and catering.

The training approach
The aim of the training is to ensure participants gain an understanding of each assessment tool and receive training in the skills required for their effective use. Courses include micro-skills training on (a) the use of the assessment tools to make both qualitative and (where relevant) quantitative evidence-based assessments (b) the interviewing skills and approaches that maximise the engagement of children and other family members (c) the model of analysis and planning (where relevant) using the Assessment Framework. There are intervals between training days to enable course members to use the assessment tools in their work context as part of the training process. Consultation is available to participants between training days. Each participant on the training courses receives a full set of training and other materials needed to use the assessment tools. The commissioning agency is expected to provide a venue, with audio-visual equipment and refreshments for course members. It is also the responsibility of the agency to manage the selection and attendance of trainees.

Training and licensing agency trainers to deliver the training
C&FT is committed to making the evidence-based assessment tools and approaches accessible to as many practitioners as possible. We therefore have developed a process for training and licensing Agency Trainers, so that they can continue to roll out the training within their own agencies over time. This involves the potential Agency Trainer(s) being trained in the use of the assessment tools themselves and then co-training at least one further training course with an Accredited C&FT. Preparation, consultation and feedback is provided by the C&FT Trainer throughout this process. They also quality assure the Agency Trainer’s ability to deliver the training effectively and decide when they are ready to be Licensed as an Agency Trainer. The assessment tools and training materials are copyrighted and materials required for future training must be purchased from C&FT.

Tailoring training
Training can be delivered for a single agency or on a multi-agency or multi-disciplinary basis. Training can be streamlined to meet the specific needs of staff groups or agencies. C&FT also run regular open training courses which staff can attend on an individual basis (or preferably in pairs to support future use of the assessment tools).

For further information on the Training Programme and costings see here or contact:

Liza Bingley Miller, National Training Coordinator, Child & Family Training,
Tel. 01904 633 417, email: liza.miller@childandfamilytraining.org.uk