Child Protection Decision-Making Training

Assessing and analysing the risks of future harm and the likelihood of change - an evidence- based approach

Aims and objectives of the training
The aim of the training is to equip professionals to make evidence-based assessments and plans in complex cases where there are ongoing safeguarding concerns. The key objective is to introduce and train practitioners in the use of the Safeguarding Assessment and Analysis Framework (SAAF). The SAAF applies and develops the use of the Assessment Framework specifically for the safeguarding context and the SAAF model of assessment and analysis forms part of the guidance in 2010 Working Together (HM Government) and in 'Integrated Children's System: Analysing and recording significant harm' (March 2010). The training develops professional skills and good practice in compiling and structuring core and specialist assessments and reports for the courts in complex safeguarding cases.

What is the Safeguarding Assessment and Analysis Framework?
The SAAF provides a systematic, robust, evidence-based and time-efficient model and a range of methods for assessing and analysing (a) the nature and level of harm to a child or young person (b) the risks of re-abuse/likelihood of future harm and (c) the prospects for successful intervention in safeguarding/child protection cases.

The 7-stage SAAF model of assessment, analysis and intervention which course members are trained to use is described in 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. The authors are all members of the Child and Family Training team and they developed the model and the associated training based on their experience, skill and knowledge gathered over many years. Each course member receives a copy of the book, a Course Workbook and the Safeguarding and Analysis Framework (SAAF).

The model includes:

• Stage 1 - The phase of identification of harm and initial safeguarding.
• Stage 2 - Making a full assessment of the child’s needs, parenting capacity, family and environmental factors and creating a comprehensive chronology.
• Stage 3 - Establishing the nature and level of harm and harmful effects and creating a profile of harm.
• Stage 4 - Making a Safeguarding Analysis to assess the risks of re-abuse/likelihood of future harm and to determine the prospects for successful intervention.
• Stage 5 - Developing a plan of intervention to include therapeutic work in a context of safety and protection from harm.
• Stage 6 - Rehabilitation of the child to the family when living separately or moving on from a context of protection and support.
• Stage 7 - Placement of children in new family contexts where rehabilitation is not possible.

• Make evidence-based assessments and plans in complex cases where there are ongoing safeguarding concerns
• Apply the 7-stage SAAF model for assessment and intervention in safeguarding cases in their own practice.
• Evaluate the level of strengths and difficulties in the safeguarding context using the domains and dimensions of the Assessment Framework triangle
• Assess the level of harm or likelihood of harm to the child and create a profile of harm
• Make a systemic analysis of the factors and processes leading to harm as well as maintaining, protective and resilience factors
• Assess and analyse the risks of re-abuse or likelihood of future harm to the child or yougn person and the prospects for successful intervention

Who is the training suitable for?
The training is suitable for all experienced professionals who have responsibility for making or contributing to assessments of children and families in cases where there are ongoing safeguarding concerns. This includes staff in Children's Social Care, Health, Education and independent organisations and those who work as expert witnesses for court, Children's Guardians or independent social workers. The Safeguarding Assessment and Analysis Framework and associated methods and approaches to assessment and planning are useful for core assessments, safeguarding assessments and assessments being prepared for care proceedings under the Public Law Outline or in Private Law cases in relation to contact and residence.

What sort of training is it?
This 2-day training is based on principles of adult learning and the important of a mixture of training input and practice when receiving training in skills development. The course involves a mixture of formal training and applying the model of assessment, analysis and planning to case examples from training cases and from participants' own practice.

This 2-day Safeguarding Assessment Training builds on our training in the use of standardised assessment tools (i.e. the homeland Questionnaires and Scales or the Family Assessment) and the model of analysis, planning and identifying and measuring outcomes using the Assessment Framework.

Who are the trainers?
This training is delivered by Accredited Child and Family Trainers who have all been trained as trainers by the authors of Safeguarding children living with trauma and family violence: evidence-based assessment, analysis and planning interventions. Arnon Bentovim, Tony Cox, Liza Bingley Miller and Stephen Pizzey who were also responsible, with others, for the development of the other assessment tools and approaches in National Training Programme on Evidence-Based Assessment Tools, Analysis and Planning with Children and Families which is run by Child and Family Training