Information for Workers

Swindon LSCB Training Principles

Recent changes in legislation and other social policy developments have created challenging times for all of us who have a responsibility for safeguarding children.

It is our objective to deliver quality training in a safe and reflective environment and offer opportunities for all participants to support their own professional development.

In order to deliver a comprehensive training programme the LSCB have decided not to provide free lunches on its courses. Other refreshments are provided.

Principles

The following are a list of key principles, which the Swindon Local Safeguarding Children Board believes should underpin everyone's approach to safeguarding children and promoting their welfare regardless of the extent of our involvement.

• The child should be central and visible in every aspect of our decision making from the point of initial concern through to the end of our involvement with a family.
• Families, including the extended family, are potentially the most important resource for children in protecting them from harm and promoting their welfare. Every effort should be made to maintain children within their families whenever it is possible and safe to do so.
• Partnerships with parents and carers, where there are concerns that a Child is, or may be at risk of suffering significant harm involves open clear and respectful dialogue about what the risks, what needs to change to reduce those risks and how we can all work together to bring about those changes and to ensure positive outcomes for the child.
• Understanding the individual needs of the child and family is crucial to bringing about the change where change is needed. A significant contribution to this understanding will be achieved by taking full account of a child and family’s ethnicity, race, culture, religion, gender, disability and sexual orientation.
• Children are by definition vulnerable to exploitation, abuse and neglect by adults. Sadly, inquiries have shown us that these adults can be those who are placed in a position of trust and responsibility in relation to children and young people. It is incumbent upon all of us therefore to take our responsibilities in keeping children safe from harm seriously, and to approach our responsibility with energy, commitment, vigilance, and prompt action.