NSPCC launches child protection training for GP surgeries
October 2005
GPs and their support staff are to be targeted as part of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC's) biggest ever child protection training exercise. From 3 October 2005, GP surgeries across the country will receive complementary copies of EduCare, a child protection awareness distance learning programme.
The mailing is part of the NSPCC latest initiative, ‘Talk ‘til it stops’, a campaign designed to mobilise people to take action to end child abuse. The campaign will encourage people to talk to each other if they are worried about a child. Talking can help a person work out what they should do and give them the confidence to act on their concerns.
All staff in GP surgeries can be a vital link in the child protection chain as they have frequent contact with children and families. EduCare will help staff recognise the possible signs of abuse and ensure they know how to act if they have concerns about a child. The programme will also help staff act appropriately if a patient approaches them with child protection concerns.
EduCare is just one of the campaign support materials designed to enable people to take action. Millions of households will receive a ‘Talk ‘til it stops’ survey and awareness pack. An NSPCC TV advertising campaign will reiterate the importance of talking to someone if you have concerns about a child.
As well as GP surgeries, over 220,000 copies of the EduCare learning programme will be mailed to key groups in the following sectors
- Health - including school and practice nurses and dentists
- Education - from caretakers and dinner ladies to teachers and teaching assistants
- Emergency services - including the police and the fire service
- Community workers - including nurseries and childminders
- National government - including every single MP
NSPCC director and chief executive Mary Marsh said: “Everyone who works for or alongside children and young people must be able to recognise, respond and report any concerns they have about a child. Even professionals who have had child protection training should take this opportunity to remind themselves who the child protection leads are in their organisation and what they should do if they are worried about a child being abused.”
EduCare has four short learning modules and is tailored for specific sectors. Recipients will receive module one which includes the learning materials and a short multiple-choice questionnaire. Participants simply read through the module, complete the questionnaire and send it off to be marked in a reply-paid envelope.
If you have not received a personalised copy of the training module, but would like to complete the EduCare course, visit www.debrus-educare.co.uk/talktilitstops, or email your name, address and job title to talktilitstops@debrus.co.uk, or telephone 01926 436 202. Applicants will be processed on a first come, first served basis.