Course Outline:
This course aims to arm social workers working with children, young people and their families, with the skills needed to identify the signs for early intervention and support. They will learn how to undertake competent investigations and to collect and analyse evidence effectively.
Delegates will consider the relevant legislation concerning children, to include:
- The welfare checklist
- Private law applications
- Child in need
- Voluntary accommodation
- The threshold criteria and permanence
They will identify and consider the different responses, provisions and orders available to children’s social care when deciding how best to safeguard a child and promote their best interests.
Delegates will learn how to frontload, the steps included in the pre-proceedings process, the different court hearing stages and timescales within the relaunched Public Law Outline, the orders the family courts can make, plus permanency options for the child.
First and Second day
Over the first two days, delegates will cover the theory, including the legal framework, different types of evidence, the impact of human rights, the importance of the child’s voice and the sharing of information.
Third day
On the third day, delegates will learn how to produce well-structured, court compliant statements and reports which will promote the child’s best interests and assist the court in its decision making. We will consider note taking and record keeping, section 7 and 37 reports, social work evidence templates, PAMS assessments and care plans.
Delegates will also be provided with a court report or SWET to critique through the eyes of the Judge.
Fourth day
On the final day of the course, delegates will familiarise themselves with the court process by considering:
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The role of a social worker as a witness
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The court process
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The court layout
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The process in the witness box
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Preparation for giving evidence as well as the techniques used by lawyers to undermine and discredit social workers
In the afternoon, delegates will put into practice what they have learnt and undergo cross-examination in a mock courtroom as well as receiving feedback on their performance.
Key Learning Outcomes:
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Identify and evaluate a child’s need for early intervention and support
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Appraise how early intervention can be used to maximise improved outcomes for children
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Explain how child in need can be used to maximise improved outcomes for children
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Examine how child protection procedures can be used to maximise improved outcomes for children
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Evaluate relevant evidence to meet the ‘threshold criteria’
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Define the threshold criteria under section 31 of the Children's Act 1989
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Specify the different types of harm
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Evaluate frontloading
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Evaluate the pre-proceedings process
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Explore the relaunch of the public law outline within court proceedings
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Outline the applications and orders available to social workers to assist in adequately safeguarding children
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Verify parallel planning and early permanence
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Improve best practice in note taking and record keeping
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Evaluate a social work assessment, social work statement and social work care plan that truly reflects a child’s needs and risks around them
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Enhance a conclusion or recommendation by linking it to factual evidence in the case with persuasive analysis
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Outline how witness familiarisation assists with presenting a case to a judge with confidence
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Identify how witness familiarisation assists a witness to prepare to give evidence with confidence
Course Details:
- Duration and CPD: 4 days | 24 hours
- In-house course format and fee: Virtual or face-to-face | Call for details
Please call 020 7549 2549 or email info@bondsolon.com to discuss or book an in-house course.